About Viva la Casa
How Viva la Casa began – my story
In 2010, together with my then Dutch partner, I bought an old farmhouse in Montottone, a small village in the south of Le Marche. Our idea? To create a place where others could enjoy the peace, the views, and the authentic Italian way of life. That’s how our agriturismo was born.
The search for the perfect location took about a year. We started in the north of Le Marche, but eventually fell in love with the south – wilder, more authentic, and just a bit more beautiful. That first year, we travelled back and forth often to prepare for the renovation and deal with all the bureaucracy.
As an interior architect, I was able to pour all my creativity into the project. In the summer of 2011, I moved permanently to Montottone to oversee the renovation. It started in the autumn, and by June 2012, we welcomed our first guests. We ran the agriturismo together for two years, after which we amicably decided to go our separate ways.
An Unexpected Turn
Over the years, I had already met many people – both Italians and foreigners who lived there or owned a second home. On one of my trips to the airport, I met a Dutchman with a house in Montefiore dell’Aso. He was renting it out through other Dutch agents, but when they stopped and I had just ended my agriturismo, he turned to me. The timing was perfect. I was given the opportunity to take on the management and rental – and I grabbed it with both hands.
Viva la Casa was born.
Things moved quickly from there. Through word of mouth, more properties came my way, and I had a great first season. What I discovered most of all was how much I enjoyed it! The contact with guests, arranging things for them, sharing my knowledge of the area – it instantly felt like the right fit. I threw myself into growing my young business, expanding the portfolio, building a website, and improving communication.
With a nice selection of holiday homes, I went into the second season. It was hard work, especially because I insisted on keeping everything personal. The stories and enthusiastic feedback from guests gave me the energy to keep going.
In the years that followed, I lived and worked in Le Marche with great joy. In 2018, I moved from tiny Montottone to Ripatransone, a slightly larger town closer to the coast. I had completely fallen in love with it. But then came January 2020 – and with it, the COVID pandemic. Italy went into full lockdown. No travel, no guests. And for me, no visits to family and friends in the Netherlands. That period made me reflect.
Montottone
Photo: Viva la Casa
Ripatransone
Photo: Viva la Casa
A Life-Changing Decision
After a short but busy summer, I returned to the Netherlands in the autumn of 2020. I realised I truly missed life in the Netherlands. Of course, Italy was beautiful, and I had made many connections there, but social contact outside the season was different. I longed for my familiar life in the Netherlands. So I made the decision to move back to Nijmegen, my beloved hometown. It felt as if I had never left.
People often ask why I returned – they love Italy and can’t imagine leaving it behind. But there’s a big difference between holidaying somewhere and living and working there full-time. Although I felt at home, I realised that life in the Netherlands suited me better.
Fortunately, my business in Italy continued to run well. I just had to find a new balance between living in the Netherlands and working in Le Marche. And I did. During the high season, I now spend about seven weeks in Italy so I can continue to personally welcome my guests. Every year, I look forward to returning to my beloved Ripatransone, seeing my friends again, and enjoying the wonderful life among the Italians. The rest of the year, I live and work from the Netherlands, where I’ve also picked up my former profession as an interior architect again. It’s a combination that suits me perfectly.
A Personal Business
Some people think Viva la Casa is a large company – but I do everything myself. In recent years, I’ve focused on working more efficiently. I use a booking system that automates many tasks I used to do manually. It saves a lot of time and reduces the chance of mistakes.
Viva la Casa has grown, but my core values remain unchanged: personal contact with guests and homeowners is still my top priority. This allows me to share my knowledge of the region and ensure everyone enjoys a relaxed, worry-free holiday. I focus specifically on the southern part of Le Marche – the area I know so well. Because I select the homes myself and maintain close contact with the owners, I can guarantee quality and ensure everything is well organised behind the scenes.
That’s what I stand for. So you can enjoy everything the south of Le Marche has to offer – without a care in the world.
I hope to welcome you to Le Marche soon!
Cari saluti,
Anne Klein Severt
Ripatransone
Photo: Viva la Casa
Ripatransone
Photo: Viva la Casa
