I know it might not seem like winter’s over - but here in Italy, it’s finally starting to warm up! And not before time. It's been quite cold and wet by Italian standards, but now we can really start to feel the heat from the sun, and we're hoping that a less than typical winter means that we're going to have a long, hot summer.

If you've not made your plans yet for this year, we're pretty busy - but there are still one or two hot weeks left between June and September. In particular, September is a much under-rated month! Autumn doesn't come to Italy quite so early, and the days are usually warm and sunny. The pool is still in use - in fact, we've had people swim in the pool until the end of October - although it has to be said, that's quite brave! But if hot weather and lazy days are your preference, June and July have to be the favourites. The weather is remarkably stable during these months, and sunshine is practically guaranteed.

And don't forget that if there aren't fifteen of you, and you don't need all the bedrooms, we do offer a discount to smaller groups.

Take a look at the latest updates to the Real Italy website, and contact us to find out what's still available.

Visit the Real Italy website

Each year we look at every area of Santo Stefano, and decide if any changes are needed. Last year we increased the size of one of the bathrooms and extended the suite, invested in an outdoor table tennis table, and a second flat screen television.

This year we’ve totally refurbished one bedroom with new cushions and throws, and a lovely new headboard has made all the difference. The largest of the double rooms now has a comfortable sofa added to further increase the feeling of luxury. And don’t forget that all our double beds are 160 centimetres (over 5 feet) wide – with Peter Reed Egyptian cotton sheets and lovely soft pillows. So a comfortable night’s sleep is guaranteed. A new surround sound system in one of the living rooms will also ensure that guests can make the most of our huge DVD library if they need to get out of the sun for a while - and the book library grows almost weekly!

Down by the pool, we’re adding a solar shower – but you need to be careful as the water really can get hot. We’ve been investigating an outdoor fridge as well – but all we can find is an outdoor cooler, which only lowers the temperature by 10 degrees. When it’s 35 degrees in the shade, that isn’t going to keep the wine cool enough – but if anybody knows of an alternative, please let us know.

Last year, the cook service proved very popular, with many people opting to have their lunch or dinner prepared for them - and some opting for the full service - breakfast, lunch and dinner! This is no problem for us, and we have extended the menus considerably so that there is lots of choice for everybody. And we're increasing our stock of wines still further. We are able to buy wine directly from the vineyards, so the next couple of months are going to be fun - visiting each supplier in turn and trying out this year's wine. We buy in bulk, so we're able to pass on excellent prices to our clients.

Discover what else Santo Stefano has to offer

Italy is a country of festivals. There's nothing the Italians like more than having a good meal, and then sitting outside and listening to a concert in a summer evening. The children play with their friends, the bars serve cold beers and wines, and everybody is relaxed and happy.

And there is no better festival than the Treia festival. Each year, the celebrations last for a week at the end of July, with the local women operating a number of different locandas - informal eating spaces - often just in one of the tiny squares, where they prepare special meals each night of the festival at bargain prices. During the day, the famous ball game - La Disfida del Bracciale - takes place against the walls of the town, culminating in the grand final and parade.

Last year's festival saw everything from a Beatles tribute band to a heavy rock band - rather bizarrely performing in the grounds of the local convent, where a nun sits on the gate and takes your money. It could only happen in Italy! This year's programme hasn't been announced, but we know it will be something to look forward to. And this is one of the few weeks that we still have available, so if you're still thinking about this year's holiday, it certainly wouldn't be dull.

We are also hosting two Learn Italian in Style holidays - one the first week in May, and one at the beginning of October. These are always popular events, organised by Grand Tourist, and not only do the clients actually learn some Italian, but they also have an opportunity to visit some of the wonderful sites of Le Marche, sample some of the delicious wine and excellent food of the region (together with a pasta making lesson - all in Italian, of course), and relax in the sunshine. It's an ideal holiday for individuals who want to mix with a small group of others with shared interests, or for couples who want to do more with their holidays than lie on the beach.

Contact us for more information

Summer 2010 is going to be the year of the party. Whether it’s a family party, a group of friends to celebrate a ‘big’ birthday, or a wedding, the ideas for making each event exciting are really buzzing. We're particularly looking forward to helping one group of guests with a Hawaiian pool party for 30 people, and I'm already anticipating the pleasure of making caramelized banana tart with ginger ice cream, not to mention Hawaiian lime chicken! And there's bound to be more than one pineapple featuring in the menu!

If you have a big event and are interested in ideas to make things just a little different – whether that means elegant and stylish with a private chef or a wild and whacky pool party - just let us know.

View the Weddings and Parties site

If any of you are fans of Heston Blumenthal, you may have seen his programme about a butcher in Loro Piceno, Le Marche. The butcher in question is Peppe Cotto - pictured right. I paid a visit to his shop - just 25 minutes from Santo Stefano - and I confirm that he is every bit as bonkers as he appears in the television programme!

We have been working with an organisation called Le Marche Holidays to offer a range of unusual activities for people who take their holidays at La Chiesa di Santo Stefano. Amongst their many activities, there is an opportunity to visit Peppe Cotto's shop and be entertained by some of his strange sculptures and musical instruments made out of pig skin - and then stay and have a dinner prepared by Peppe himself.

Of course, Le Marche Holidays do offer a range of other options - including photography courses in the Sibillini nature reserve, and even truffle hunting with a delicious lunch to follow. These are just a few of the options they have on offer, and we would be pleased to liaise with the managers to arrange a tour of your choice.

As always, we are happy to organise special events or holiday themes for our guests. Whether you would love to visit local vineyards, relax over a splendid lunch at one of the Michelin starred restaurants in the area, take in some of the splendours of the local art and architecture, or just indulge in some retail therapy at the Tod's and Prada outlets (to name but two!), you just need to let us know and we will organise everything for you.

Contact us with your requirements