Our 95-square-meter holiday rental with a private entrance is located on the ground floor of our house on an unfenced property spanning nearly 2 hectares, featuring 100 olive trees, fruit trees, and flowers. <br>We live on the ground floor with our large but well-behaved herd protection dog, Fini. She protects the house and its residents, and of course barks from time to time when she feels she needs to protect us. This is in keeping with her nature and is also her job. Even though Fini poses no danger, people who are easily frightened should be aware that she is neither kept on a chain nor locked up.<br><br>Enjoy the peaceful surrounding hills and the view of vineyards, olive trees, and grain fields—or sunflower fields, or perhaps even the sunrise—from the covered terrace as early as breakfast. After a relaxing day at the beach, a hike in the national park, or a bike ride through the surrounding villages, round out the day on a high note with an aperitivo before deciding whether to cook for yourself or enjoy authentic Marche home-style cuisine at one of the wonderful restaurants. We recommend Ristorante Elvira right in the centre of Cossignano, Il Ponte in the Ponte Tesino area, Pizzeria 4 Venti in Montalto, Ristorante Pizzeria Fonte Orfeo, and Pizzeria/Ristorante La Mattra in Borgo Miriam, a area of Offida. I’d especially like to recommend the Osteria della Cantina Offida in Offida, right on Piazza dei Popoli, away from any traffic noise.<br>The birdsong slowly fades away, but at night the cicadas take over—almost the only noise for those who are sensitive to it.<br>Each bedroom is equipped with a wardrobe, nightstand, and air conditioning; additionally, a travel cot, a high chair, and a stroller are available for our little guests. The kitchenette is equipped with, among other things, a 4-burner gas stove, an electric oven, a fridge-freezer with 3 drawers, a microwave, a toaster, a kettle, and a coffee maker, as well as plenty of dishes, pots, pans, and kitchen accessories. In the living room, guests can watch German television and listen to music on a micro stereo system. For the cooler months, there is a large pellet stove, perfect for relaxing or snuggling up with a good book.<br>In the bathroom, which features a shower, toilet, and bidet, you’ll find a storage shelf, a laundry basket, an illuminated mirror cabinet, and a hair dryer.<br>During the summer months through October, guests have access to an above-ground pool with a diameter of 3.6 m and a water depth of 1 m, along with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and seating. <br>Our entire house is heated by an efficient heat pump, which also provides hot water. A solar panel system helps reduce our ecological footprint. We strictly sort our trash in accordance with legal requirements, and we collect raw fruit and vegetable scraps in the thermal composter.<br>Starting this year, an underground tank collects 13,000 litres of rainwater from the rooftops, which is used to water the garden.<br>The sandy beaches of the Adriatic Sea are about 17–20 km away, and the mountains of the national park are about an hour’s drive away. Many interesting small towns, such as Ripatransone, Offida, and Montalto, are worth exploring; the southern zest for life really comes alive here, especially in the evenings. Ascoli Piceno, our provincial capital, is famous for having the most beautiful square in Italy, entirely paved in travertine. Sitting in a bar here in the evening, enjoying an ice cream or a cocktail, and slowly winding down the day in a relaxed atmosphere—could a holiday day be any better? <br>Just a few minutes’ walk from us is the Cantina d’Ercoli; you’ll find other wineries, for example, in Offida. Rosso Piceno and Pecorino—which is not just a type of cheese—can certainly hold their own against the wines of Tuscany.<br>Throughout the year, various festivals—known as “sagre”—take place in the area, usually centred around a specific food, such as chestnuts, polenta, mussels, or “everything fried.” But medieval history has also shaped the villages of the Marche region, and medieval festivals are often celebrated during the summer months—in Cossignano, usually at the end of July.<br>Cossignano, situated at an elevation of 400 m, offers everything you need for daily life, including a pharmacy, a post office,
