4 bedrooms house, 200 m²

Licciana Nardi, Massa-Carrara (province)

Lunigiana

Private Tuscan villa of exceptional quality, with swimming pool, landscaped grounds and magnificent views to the hills. Lovingly restored to retain all the character and charm, now married with the state of the art services and fittings.

This beautiful house has been lovingly restored. Into the entrance hall, with cloakroom (WC) and laundry room, then through to the wonderful, open kitchen/dining/living room with high ceilings, large wood burner in the fireplace, all light and airy and with a feeling of space. There are double doors to the a wonderful terrace, perfect for 'al fresco' dining, where you can look onto the swimming pool and sun deck. The kitchen features a Smeg 6-burner gas hob and oven, fridge/freezer, dishwasher and Nespresso coffee machine. On this level are also two double bedrooms each with private bathroom. Upstairs are two further double bedrooms, one with private terrace, one with ensuite bathroom and a further bathroom. All the bedrooms have air conditioning and there is central heating throughout. The outside area is professionally landscaped and features a private swimming pool with wonderful views. There is a wood-fired pizza oven and barbeque. Wifi throughout.

The property includes extensive land with olive grove and woodland, a boccia court and wood shed.

Set int he hills above Licciana Nardi which is a small town in the Taverone valley with 13th century pedestrian street flanked with local shops. Central in the town is the Piazza del Municipio, this wonderful castle and church and the piazza hosts many festivals such as the Chestnut Festival in the autumn. The castle is linked to the baroque church by a covered bridge so that the nobles had direct access to prayer and dealings with the local priest.

There are many great day trips to explore. Lucca is a beautiful Tuscan town protected by massively thick 16th-century walls, featuring some of Italy's finest medieval and Renaissance architecture, superb dining, antique markets, classical and rock music at the Lucca Summer Festival and with easy access to stunning nearby villas in the surrounding hills. The central Piazza dell'Anfiteatro in the centre is stunning. Pietrasanta is a historic medieval and artistic town in northern Tuscany sometimes called the City of the Artists or Small Athens for its marble studios and monuments. It is an important centre for working marble and was used as a marble source by Michelangelo. And, of course, the art and architectural treasures of Florence are a must.

The Ligurian coastline is within easy reach. The Cinque Terre (UNESCO World Heritage site) is made up of the five fishing villages: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore and the 18km of coastal walks along the old mule-tracks between them, the most famous of which is the Via dell’Amore. Just south of the Cinque Terre is Portovenere where you can catch a ferry to the Cinque Terre or to Lerici, swim at Byron’s Bay or visit one of the islands Palmaria, Tino or Tinetto. The villages of Lerici and San Terenzo, each with impressive castles, face each other across the Gulf of the Poets and Tellaro has been named as one of the top 100 most beautiful hamlets in Italy. Neighbouring Fiascherino is just as beautiful. In addition to being known as a seaside tourist town, Viareggio is famous for its Carnival in February and the Puccini Festival during July and August. So the Ligurian coastline offers endless possibilities for days swimming or sailing, or for catching a boat trip or for simply taking a 'passeggiata al mare' and sipping an aperitivo.

The Ligurian coastline is special and Lunigiana, the northernmost part of Tuscany, is magical. The hills which encircle Lunigiana create an intimate and relaxed atmosphere whilst the blend of the mountains and sea are extremely inviting to those who enjoy the outdoors. The rolling landscape is liberally sprinkled with castles of Medici or Malaspina vintage and for lovers of the coast the sea is only half-an-hours’ drive away. The beaches around Lerici are beautiful, especially the little cove hidden behind Lerici castle. The long stretch of wide sandy beaches which starts at Marinella and runs all the way down to Pisa offers all sorts of watersports: surfing, windsurfing and with kayaks, boats and pedalos for hire. The magical Cinque Terre is a string of five fishing villages set along the sea cliffs offer the opportunity for great walks, or for idling in the seafront restaurants and stopping by for an aperitivo in one of the friendly bars. The Cinque Terre is a site of national importance and is listed with UNESCO World Heritage. Excellent days out can be spent at the Tuscan 'cities of art' of Lucca, Florence and Siena. All are easily accessible on the autostrada network, or by train from Aulla. Pisa airport is only one hour away and is an easy drive directly on the Pisa- Aulla motorway network.

Distances: Pontremoli 12 km, Aulla (supermarkets, autostrada) 10 km, Fivizzano 10 km, Lerici (beaches) 30 km, Cinque Terre 40 km, Pietrasanta 60 km,Viareggio 80 km, Lucca 90 km, Parma (airport) 85km, Pisa (airport) 100 km, Florence 150 km.