The idea of creating a Bed and Breakfast in this part of Le Marche next to the Sibillini National Park has sprung from the time we have spent living here, working on the restoration of the Old Convent of Sant' Ippolito. In a way, it's been like living in the sky; in fact from the house it's not just a view but a huge chunk of space which we have been living within. Our final task has been to restore the bottom part of the house into an apartment and to cater for our B&B guests.

Liliana Pivato and Michael Eldridge have spent the last two years lovingly restoring the oldest part of the house and now offer a very simple and quality B&B.

Bed and Breakfast.

A delicious Italian breakfast to set you up and send you on your way after a sound night's sleep in a wonderfully comfortable bed. And as well as just B&B, you might be pleased to know that Lili cooks dinner once or twice a week on request. Quite excellent cuisine. You can also ask for a Peruvian massage, a balancing, psychological and physical massage.

Price from euro 30,00 per person per night -

Self Catering

Sambuco can be rented as a self catering apartment. It has two bedrooms, a kitchen, lounge and bathroom. The kitchen opens out to a terrace and to the garden and wonderful views of the Sibillini Mountains. We can cater for larger groups when we incorporate the facilities of the neighbouring Casa Sibilla and can altogether house a group of up to 10 people.

Price for week:

From €500,00 to €650 p.w. depending on season

History, Sambuco and Amandola

Sambuco dates back 650 years to the time when it was a Convent attached to the Abbey of Sant' Ippolito and on the pilgrim's route from Loreto to Rome. No doubt as well as being a home for the Abbey monks, it served as a resting-place for folk. And so it does today. It is in the heart of the land of the Sybil which is rich in the mythology of the old goddess religion whose rhythms still permeate this region.

Nestled along the gentle slopes of the Sibillini National Park, we are within 'Il Versante della Magia', the magical mountainside region of Amandola, Montefortino, Montemonaco and Montegallo.

The area was famous in Medieval times as a place of demons, fairies and necromancy, a magical land which even today holds us spellbound in the mystery of its myths and legends and its raw beauty. It is also the land of the Sybil, the seer of Rome, who according to legend, lived in a grotto/cathedral in the mountains above us here in what is now known as Mt.Sibilla. It is also famous for Il Lago di Pilato, Pilate's lake where, it is said, Pontius Pilate was beheaded and his body thrown in to the waters.The lake in fact turns red every summer thus re-fuelling the legend ( although this has more to do with the mating colours of tiny primeval shrimplets which inhabit the lake.

It is the magic land of The Goddess, the land of the Old Nature Religion who's remnants and mysteries are everywhere to be found and which make every journey an adventure. Le Marche was for hundreds of years part of the Papal State and governed from Rome and it became literally a battle ground between Christianity and the old ways. And the clues are etched into the little towns and hermitages, caves and chapels across the mountainsides.

In Medieval times this area between Sarnano and Amandola was a the route for pilgrims on their way from France (La Via Francia) to Rome. Thus we have literally dozens of sanctuaries along the old road from Loreto on the coast, many of which, like The Madonna del' Ambro are built on the sites of the Old Religion.

From the Celtic Piceni tribes to the Roman era, from Christianity and the Renaissance, Southern Le Marche is a virtual encyclopedia of time. If to this you add the scenic beauty, the healthy climate and myriad outdoor activities available, you will agree with us that it's a wonderful place to come and relax.

The Italians say of Le Marche that it is 'All of Italy in one region'; the undiscovered part of Italy.