The coastal hinterland is less well known and less expensive. Venture a few kilometres inland from Pesaro and Fano and you find an astonishingly unspoilt landscape. Forests rise on the slopes of the Appenines looking more akin to Tuscany or Umbria but with the added bonus of the sea a short drive away.
And for buyers seeking a classic Italian farmhouse, or casolare , there are still bargains to be had. About €100,000 will buy a 100 sq metre unrenovated stone farmhouse with panoramic views about 20 minutes from the sea. Compare that to Tuscany, where one-bedroom apartments in renovated farm complexes sell for between €150,000 and €160,000.
