Continued on page two...()Continued from page one

Giuliano Gnagnatti, whose company, Paradise Possible, promotes the region, says there are still about 60,000 abandoned farmhouses available. “But when we started the business in 1997, there were about 100,000. Prices have gone up dramatically since then,” he says. “A lot of that is due to Ryanair starting a daily flight to Ancona in 1999.”

Gnagnatti says a four-bed farmhouse needing restoration will cost about £150,000, and a ruin about £60,000- £105,000. Higher-quality restoration work costs about £700 per sq m; lower-quality work about £400 per sq m.

The rental market is vibrant. There is a lot to see and do; it is one of the few places in Italy where you can visit both beach and mountains the same day.

“The main thing you should consider if you’re looking to set up a B&B is the location,” says Gnagnatti. “You need to be easily accessible, as well as within a short drive to the main attractions.”

Eileen Cronin-Salomone, originally from Ireland but brought up in London, had already lived in Italy for several years before she set up a B&B.

“I was married to an Italian but when he died I sold up and went home,” she says. “That was in 1988. Then four years ago I suddenly realised how much I missed the way of life and the quality of life in Italy. I wanted to go back.”

Cronin-Salomone viewed about 600 houses in several regions before finding an old squire’s house near San Ginesio.

“It was my 50th birthday and the agent showed up where I was staying, telling me he had three places for me to see. I told him that I had a party to plan but he insisted. My daughter Erika and I went along. The first two were dreadful and by the time I had fought my way through the brambles to see the third I was in a terrible mood. Then I turned around to talk to Erika and I was right under the Sibellini Mountains.”

Cronin-Salomone, 53, paid £95,000 for the house and has spent another £245,000 doing it up. She now has three en-suite bedrooms that she lets. “People think running a B&B is a joy ride — it’s not,” she says. “Having said that, I absolutely love it. If I’m ever in a bad mood I just need to look at the mountains to remember why I’m here and how special it is.”

Although Le Marche has a lovely coast, the British are more interested in the interior, says Fabrizio Fangonesi, who runs Immobiliare Ambiente in Sirolo. “They all want old stone houses,” he says. “In fact, they’ve caused a big price increase in properties to renovate, but the market is stabilising now.”

There are plenty of places available with letting possibilities. If you can face renovating, Paradise Possible has a 16-room farmhouse for sale near Arcevia, for £140,000.

Valentino Cingolani, who runs agency Lovemarche, says the influx of Brits here peaked in 2002 and has stabilised. “However, I think it will pick up soon because Ryanair has just announced it is going to start flights from Liverpool to Ancona.”

Pam and David Bates bought an abandoned farmhouse, between the coast and the Sibillini Mountains in 2001 for £42,000. It has three storeys, with 330sq m of living space. They opened for business in 2003. “Just like the television programmes, we were ready, literally, 10 minutes before the first guest walked in,” says Pam. They spent about £240,000 doing up the property and will break even this year.

“It’s not an easy way to make a living,” she says. “You’re on call 24/7 and you need to be on top of the marketing at all times. I spend at least an hour every day on the internet, raising our profile with search engines.”

Pam’s advice is to start with a good business plan. “Lots of people just come over and say they’re going to run a B&B. That’s all very well, but how are you going to get your punters? You need to be internet-savvy and to know about marketing. I carry leaflets around the whole time and set myself targets of how many I have to distribute per month.”

She still works in London for an event firm, while her husband and daughter run Villa Sibillini. David says that despite the downsides, it’s worth it: “You’re never going to get rich, but you have the benefits of living in beautiful countryside, serving good food and wine. What could be better?”

Richard Dixon and Peter Greene, 00 39 0721 790 215, www.le-marche.com/rental; Jane and Ian Foster, 00 39 0731 789 657, www.cantinone.co.uk; Pam and David Bates, 00 39 0733 653 081, www.villasibillini.com; Casa Nostra, 00 39 0733 656 913, www.casa-nostra.it

Immobiliare Ambiente, 00 39 071 933 1821, www.immobiliareambiente.it

Times recommends

• Second homes: credit crunch casualty or money-spinner?
• How I built my own sliding house
• Top 10 incentives for house buyers