It’s a family affair! 21st century families turn to holidays to ensure quality time with their loved ones

by Georgina

The modern world can be a hectic place. Demanding jobs, social engagements and household chores all erode the amount of quality time that families are able to spend together. The Disney Time Survey, conducted by leading research firm Kelton in February 2013, found that 71% of US parents would like to spend more time with their children and almost 50% of them felt that only half of the time they do spend with their children could be classed as ‘quality time.’ On holiday, however, this figure jumps to 82%.

  • 71% of parents would like to spend more time with their children (Disney Time)
  • 94% of parents feel that a regular schedule of family vacations is important
  • Sales of Italian second homes to foreign buyers soar 14% in 2012 (Scenari Immobiliari)

The survey emphasised the importance of taking time out as a family, a finding echoed in the UK by insurance giant AVIVA’s own findings, released in April this year. The AVIVA survey found that half of UK holidaymakers travel with extended family and friends in order to grab some of the much-needed quality time that modern living denies them.

The conclusions drawn from the Disney Time Survey were the same, with 94% of respondents believing that a regular schedule of family vacations is important. Furthermore, AVIVA found that by far the most popular choice was a relaxing beach holiday.

Given this preference, and the Sunday Times’ recent description of Le Marche as, “everything you want from an Italian summer stay,” it is easy to see why family-run company Appassionata has chosen the delightful Estate Giacomo Leopardi as the site for its two luxurious fractional ownership holiday homes. Nestled in the heart of Le Marche and only ten minutes from the Adriatic coast, Casa Giacomo and Casa Leopardi offer the perfect location for a family holiday.

The fractional nature of the properties, which come complete with swimming pools, tennis court, basketball court and landscaped gardens, means that owners can enjoy exclusive use of the house they purchase a fraction in for five full weeks every year. The arrangement ensures that all-important, quality family time is enjoyed, as Boston-based owner Jill Karp observes,

“I returned to Italy again with my family last July. They were all so pleased and loved the property so much it was hard to get them to go elsewhere! We enjoyed relaxing in the pool, playing a game of tennis or just reading in the beautiful countryside. We had wonderful lunches on the patio and savoured all that the property had to offer.”

Appassionata’s founder, Dawn Cavanagh-Hobbs, also emphasised the properties’ suitability for family vacations,

“Most of our owners use their property to gather their family and friends together, often from all over the world. They all love sharing their Italian home and giving a tour of the area, taking their loved ones to the fabulous restaurants on the beach and in the medieval towns close to the mountains. The properties are very popular with grandchildren: they love the nearby sandy beaches, swimming pools and tennis court. Skiing and sledging in the Sibillini Mountains are big hits in the winter, while getting close to nature as a family, through grape and olive picking and lavender harvesting on the estate is really popular. Both adults and children learn a lot about the processes involved and these activities make a fabulous break from electronics!”

And indeed it seems that now is the ideal time to invest in Italian property. The recent Scenari Immobiliari research institute study showed sales of Italian second homes to foreign buyers increased by an impressive 14% in 2012, with investors taking advantage of lowered prices to snap up their dream holiday homes. Increasingly, according to the summer 2012 survey from Engel& Voelkers and HomeAway.com, such investments are being seen as a form of retirement savings (by 43% of respondents) and as a hedge against inflation (24%).

But for American owner Deb Gale the family element was the most important factor,

“You cannot help but love the food, the wine, the restaurants and the markets but images of our daughters and a recent fresh pasta making lesson in our farmhouse kitchen at Casa Leopardi lingers even longer.”

Although Casa Giacomo is fully sold, a few fractions of the five bedroom/five bathroom Casa Leopardi remain available, for the current special price of just £175,000. For sales completed before September, Appassionata is also offering two years of free maintenance fees (a discount worth around £7,600). For more information contact Appassionata on 0039 073 465 8775, visit www.appassionata.com or take a video tour of Casa Leopardi.