About me
Welcome to Bed & Breakfast Il Sogno
– the dream of the Olthof family-
My name is Shirley Olthof-Meijer. While my husband Björn continues to work alongside the B&B, I run Il Sogno here in Le Marche. You will likely meet him and our two daughters during your stay – we live here together near Camerino.
As a child, I spent almost every summer holiday in Italy and dreamed of living here one day. I imagined riding a Vespa or driving along country roads in an Ape. That dream never left me.
During my hotel school training, life in large five-star hotels didn't appeal to me, even though I learned a great deal during the years I did work there. What I wanted was something small, something personal. A place where people would feel truly welcome. Yet, life took a different turn. I worked in the hotel industry for years, and after the birth of our second daughter, I moved to the local government—closer to home, more practical, but the spark never left me, without even realizing it.
The dream - Il Sogno
In 2021, that little fire ignited into a bright flame. I felt: I was meant to do something else. It was time to follow my heart. No matter how daunting. Björn and I had previously set our sights on Tuscany, but after one visit to Le Marche, it felt right immediately. The peace, the space, the friendly people and those views of the Apennines it felt right immediately.
We visited over fifty houses and even made offers on two other properties, but something else was in store for us. In the summer of 2024, we found it: our home in the hills of Camerino. Over the past year, we've worked hard to get the apartment ready for rental. And now it's finally here! In the coming months, we'll continue working on the outdoor space, and we're doing it with love. Here, we're making our dream come true—literally. That's why our B&B is called Il Sogno, "The Dream."
We're starting with a spacious apartment, and who knows what the future holds. For now, I invite you to enjoy this small part of Italy with us. From mornings under the pergola, starry evenings, and everything in between.