The Marche, bordered across the Apennines to the west by Umbria and Tuscany and to the east by the Adriatic, has unspoilt hill villages and, on its coast, many sandy beaches. Here, the Gigli family's cheerful white holiday villastands in a large park with fruit trees. Fantastic for a family holiday, We loved it, said enthusiastic reporters. `Our children liked the playground, and the pool. From its hillside, it looks over trees to the sea, cliffs and a white private beach. Though smart, it is a place where you can wander in from beach pool in damp swimming clothes. Service is smooth and unobtrusive, the people are friendly, the setting is beautiful. In the large, marblefloored dining room, with ranks of white-clothed tables, dinner includes an antipasto buffet, home-made pasta, lots of seafood. Vegetables, eggs and wine come from the family's farm. But one reporter thought the food `only average', All upper villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms) have a balcony with views. Our third-floor room was large enough for two adults and two children to sleep soundly. There is a little zoo with goats, rabbits and horses. The sea-water swimming pools are `immaculately kept'; the beach is `quite a trek down, but a jeep will transport guests. The family also own the Baby Gigli, on the seafront, ; and a complex of villas.

An agriturismo (farmstay), which the nominator found fairly basic, but extremely enjoyable. In the centre-east of the island it looks over a broad valley to Orgosolo on the horizon. It would not suit the more fastidious of your readers. You eat with other guests family-style on a long oilcloth-covered table, television on continuously. Wonderful, farm food: salami and ham; ravioli stuffed with potato and cheese; wild boar; pecorino. Our bedroom was compact and unheated. You sit in the warm dining room by an open fire of olive wood. There is a shared, but spotless, bathroom. The welcome from the Fele family was warm, and the cost, including a special meal on Christmas Eve, was embarrassingly low. Cookery courses, walking and horse riding are available.