La Villa

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Villa |4 bedrooms |Sleeps 8

Aulla in Tuscany

From £800 per week

7 nights minimum stay

Changeover Saturday

Be the first to write a review

Key info  Swimming pool, balcony/terrace, car advised, private garden, no pets allowed

About the home

La Villa is an elegant house built in the early years of the last century as a country retreat for a prosperous Genoese seafarer and his family. The style of the house reflects its origin, with beautiful tiled floors, marble staircase & windowsills, and large rooms with exceptionally high ceilings and tall windows, which when coupled with its elevated position and open aspect makes the house surprisingly cool in summer.

The house is south facing and is located on the edge of a hamlet in the southern part of Lunigiana, overlooking the valley of the Auella river a few miles east of Aulla. Views to the front and sides are truly spectacular, with the Apuan Alps to the east and smaller forest-covered mountains dotted with villages to the south and west. The Appenines to the north can be glimpsed from the rear of the house, and a short walk into the hamlet provides further impressive views. The immediate vicinity is an attractive area of small farms with vineyards and orchards.
The Villa is 20-25 minutes drive from the world heritage coast of the Cinque Terra which has spectaular villages clustered round the coast.
There is pizzeria/restaurant within walkinging distance in the village down from the villa.
Horse riding is available within the local area (10 minutes drive) and golf is to be found at Forti Di Marmi 20 minutes drive away.
The area is well known for its wonderful walking opportunities and lies near the National Park.
The famous Puccini Opera Festival at Torre De Largo is a short train ride away and takes place during mid July early August each year. In addition, it is easy to travel to Parma to attend the opera there.

Facilities

Further details indoors:
La Villa sleeps 8 in four double bedrooms. In addition there is a double sofa bed in the living room.

Ground floor. Living room with sofa bed, sofa and armchairs, with south-facing view across the valley . Separate dining room with open fire, dining table seating up to 10, and view across pool and rear garden. Bedroom with two single beds which are designed be put together to form a double bed. Bathroom with shower cubicle. Kitchen with large fridge freezer, dishwasher and stove with 4 ring gas hob and electric oven: double doors leading to pool and rear garden.

Two-flight marble staircase leading to the first floor. Large south facing balcony off the landing which catches the morning sun and has a spectacular view of the Apuan Alps - ideal for al-fresco breakfast. The master bedroom overlooks the valley and has a king-size double bed. One of the other two bedrooms on this floor has two single beds which can be put together to form a double bed. There is a view across a small meadow to the nearby hamlet. The other has a day-bed which converts to a double bed; a door leads to a second terrace with views of the village and Appenines and outside stairs down to the rear garden and pool. Bathroom with bath including shower & screen, and a bidet. For added comfort the all single beds and the double bed in the master bedroom have ‘memory-foam’ mattress toppers in addition to deep-sprung mattresses. The bedlinen provided is of luxury egyptian cotton, down and feather pillows and deep pile towels Two cots are available if needed as are a high chair and playpen and baby bath.
There is a washing machine in the basement level cantina accessed from inside the house.

Wi-fi internet access now at La Villa together with Satalite Freeview which includes all BBC Television stations plus radio

Further details outdoors:
A small formal garden leads from the entrance gate to the house, with fig and persimmon trees. This garden is filled with roses, lavender and other flowering plants. The main garden, laid to grass, is to the west of the house. There is a large (c12 by 7 metre) gravelled terrace area with a gazebo recently planted with vines and kewi fruit. Here is a large marble topped table under the pergola. This area is ideal for al-fresco dining, as it is reached from the kitchen and external staircase. Immediately beyond the terrace is the 12 by 5 meter saline swimming pool, with 1.5 metre maximum depth, internal lighting and semicircular steps at the shallow end for easy access. The pool is fully surrounded by terracotta paving with a minimum width of 1.1 metres and with plenty of space for sun loungers, which are provided along with other outdoor furniture. On this terrace is a further dining table seating 8 with large umbrella which affords views over to the Apuan Alps There is also a solar-heated shower. The pool and rear garden have the same spectacular views of valley and mountains as the house.

New this season: A fabulous stone built wood burning barbeque/pizza oven/outdoor kitchen and toilet which has proved popular with our guests this year.

Parking. There is space for 2 cars on the lane immediately outside the front gate. Alternatively there is a space for one car a few metres further away on the former small vineyard on the opposite side of the lane, which also forms part of the property.

Photos

 

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Outisde dining and pool area

 

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Dining under the pergola

 

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Sitting Room

 

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Pool area at sunset

The Tuscany / Massa Carrara Province region

Lunigiana is the most northern part of Tuscany bordering Liguira, with Pisa, Genova and Parma airports approximately on hour away. A quiet corner of Tuscany where traditions are strong, hospitality generous and the pace of life relaxed. The marble peaks of the Apuan and the Appenine mountain ranges encompass the region against which magical outlines of castles can be seen, many restored while others remain romantic ruins. Paths lead through narrow village streets with stone houses rendered beautiful with simplicity. Seasonal festivals are held in the villages throughout the year to celebrate the harvests, with simple recipes evolved through the centuries and gathered from the tastes of Tuscany, Liguria and Emilia Romagna.

The Aulla area

La Villa is equally accessible to the valleys and mountains of Lunigiana to the north and east and the coast to the south and west. Fivvizano, an attractive old town with its Medici fountain is a short drive east on the main road up the valley. Equi Terme is a small spa town with caves, and further into the Apuan Alps regional park it is possible to venture by road into the mountains and view the spectacular marble quarries. The regional park is also a popular area for walking, horseriding and wildlife. Towards the Appenines are other attractive old towns such as Licciana Nardi, Bagnone and Pontremoli, linked by quiet secondary roads. Another attractive drive is through the hills due south from the house to Fosdinovo, a walled town with a large castle and panoramic views of the sea and coastal plain.

The villa is a short walk down the hill to the village where there is a restaurant, bars and a takeaway pizzeria.

On the way to the coast, at the southern tip of Liguria is Sarzana, an attractive town with a cathedral, castle, and pedestrianised historic centre with plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants; ideal for visiting in early evening for the ‘passegiata’. Sarzana also has a designer outlet shop. Florence, Lucca and Pisa are easily reached from the villa either by car or train. South from Sarzana along the coastal plain are the cities of Massa, and Carrera famous of course for its marble. In the other direction is the spectacular ‘Gulf of Poets’ with the historic resorts of Lerichi and Porto Venere and the city of La Spezia with its port, naval base and museum, and impressive waterfront and boulevards. The nearby Cinque Terre is best reached either by boat from Lerichi or La Spezia, or train from La Spezia rather than by car. There is a golf course at Forti Di Marmi and Tennis 15 mins from the villa.
Throughout the summer month various villages hold festivals celebrating aspects of the local cuisine such as chestnuts, porcini mushrooms, pancakes, etc.

How to get there

What's nearby: Attractions Restaurants Click map icons for more information

Map showing the Aulla areaReset Map

British Airways
Gatwick: Pisa, Bologna Heathrow: Milan (Linate/Malpensa)

Ryanair
Stanstead: Pisa, Genova, Palma, Bergamo(Milan) Forli (Bologna) Liverpool: Pisa

Easyjet
Bristol: Pisa Gatwick Milan(Linate) Luton: Bologna
Jet 2
Manchester: Pisa Leeds/Bradford Pisa

Thomsonfly
Coventry/Doncaster/Bournmouth: Pisa

Aitalia

Heathrow: Milan/ (Linate/Malpensa) Manchester: Milan (Malpensa)

Travelling times to region approx

Pisa, Genoa and Parma just over an hour
Bologna approx 2 hours
Linate: 2 hours 30 mins

Activities near Aulla

Guestbook for La Villa

" A magical week with the family to celebrate ad's 60th - what a perfect setting - so beautiful from beginning to end" Nov 07
"The Villa is absolutely fabulous and setting is great. Views really help you relax and enjoy the atmosphere"
"We were struck in particular by how blooming comfy it is " "Really appreciate how well equipped the villa is for babies, took stress out of travelling with young baby" Sheffield Crew 2008
"Absolutely perfect. Nice and relaxed when you want to and plenty to visit in the area" Andersons 2009
"Stunning setting" "Loved the tiled floors and marble staircase" A beautiful, obviously lovingly restored residence". Mitchells, 2009

Rental prices

Prices for group size 8
Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
mid	18 Jun 11	2 Jul 11	1400£ 1400	0-	0-	1 Week
high	2 Jul 11	2 Sep 11	1600£ 1600	0-	0-	1 Week
low	18 Oct 11	8 Nov 11	800£ 800	0-	0-	1 Week
	1 Apr 12	20 Apr 12	800£ 800	0-	0-	1 Week
mid	9 Jun 12	22 Jul 12	1600£ 1600	0-	0-	1 Week
high	22 Jul 12	1 Sep 12	1800£ 1800	0-	0-	1 Week

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.

Alll other times please contact owner. The rental for the week in May is £1,000 and the week 28th August to 3 Sept inclusive is also £1000. Late deal 2 - 9th July £1,000, save £600

Availability

See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here

Contact the owner

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4 years listed You are contacting Lizzie Simpson Landline n/a Mobile +44 07710 410975 Languages spoken The owner is based in the United Kingdom and has advertised with Holiday Lettings since 2007. This villa has so far received 0 reviews.