Barristers Paul and Rima Turner dream of finding an Italian bolthole to escape their hectic London lives. A magnificent medieval abbey in the Le Marche region catches their eye on the internet. But when they travel to Italy to view it, they soon discover that nothing is as simple as they thought.
Frustrated by their lack of success with the local estate agents, Paul and Rima decide to strike out on their own. They stumble across a magnificent old palazzo, but it soon transpires that a complex tale of illicit love and illegitimate heirs could scupper their plan to buy it.
After a week in Italy, Paul and Rima are finally able to view the abbey they travelled so far to see. But predictably, there are dramatic complications when their entrance is barred by a rival estate agent. Fortunately, Monica brought two 'heavies' with her to facilitate matters, but will it all be worthwhile?
Back in London, Paul and Rima are feeling bruised by their experiences in Italy, but then a visit to their local Italian deli provides Paul with a contact he can't afford to miss. So it's back to Italy, where they hope they'll now be on the inside track… some hope!
Paul and Rima have now decided that the only way to get the Italian house of their dreams is to buy a ruin and do it up. But the derelict properties they're shown require such a high degree of imagination that Rima quickly becomes despondent, and they're forced to change tack yet again.
Paul and Rima hear of a converted mill that sounds idyllic. But Paul hates planes, so insists on taking the train to Italy, while Rima flies. When she arrives at the mill, she is totally captivated, but Paul seems to have disappeared, and the agent must have a decision immediately.
A feisty new estate agent agrees to take on Paul and Rima's Italian house hunting challenge. But can Cinzia succeed, where others have so far failed? The client relationship quickly becomes fiery, but all is forgiven when she leads them to a medieval hospital, they simply can't resist.
Paul and Rima put an offer on the old hospital, but Paul must return to London to work. So Rima seeks advice from ex-pats in the area on possible pitfalls, and soon discovers that earthquakes can be a major problem. Sure enough, on closer inspection, the hospital has extensive cracks.
Paul and Rima are assured that the purchase of the medieval hospital includes provision for an earthquake grant, to repair the damage. But when they discover that there is yet more confusion as to which parts of the building are actually included in the price, tempers begin to flare.
Totally disillusioned with Le Marche, Paul persuades Rima to have one last try at finding their dream property, but in Abruzzo. Rima's too busy, so Paul heads off on his own and, to Rima's horror, falls for a ruin without a roof. But there's another surprise in store for them.