Villa Ortensia
£1360–£2136 / week
About the home
*LAST MINUTE OFFER!!! 20% DISCOUNT FOR THE LAST WEEK STILL AVAILABLE IN JUNE!*
Comfortably sleeping 5 to 7 persons, this old, converted farmhouse, lies on the border between eastern Liguria and northern Tuscany, just a stone’s throw from the Cinque Terre. It has been carefully restored and renovated, to offer all the comforts, including a wonderful outdoor pool. The interior design is characterized by antique furnishings and decorative paintings, lovingly chosen by the owner, to remain in stylish keeping with the traditional architectural context.
Set in a privileged position on a hillside, surrounded by chestnut, cherry and olive trees, the villa affords superb views, which embrace both the Apuan Alps inland and the shimmering waters of the Mediterranean sea from the islands of La Spezia gulf to the lighthouse of Livorno port.
This whole area enjoys a pleasant temperate micro-climate, while the villa itself boasts a suntrap location, basking in sunshine throughout the day. Its idyllically quiet seclusion will ensure that your stay really is out-of-this-world!
ACCOMMODATION
Entrance to this unique property is at ground-floor level from the brickwork porch with wooden beamed ceiling, perfectly equipped to eat outside with wooden table and benches. It has its own barbecue/wood burning oven ideal to prepare wonderful dinners. From the porch you enter the fitted kitchen with its original Carrara white marble worktops and sink of attractive rustic design and completed by all the modern appliances (dishwasher; fridge; American coffee-maker). The living/dining room features an ancient slate fireplace and comfortable sofas, whose colour-scheme harmoniously complements the traditional Tuscan stone and terracotta floors. 17th century-style table with benches and chairs grace the dining area.
Proceeding to the right the former lemon house has been transformed into a comfortable guest bedroom with double wrought iron sofa bed. The room is incredibly luminous and bright thanks to the large window which extends across one wall and offers breathtaking views over the gulf of la Spezia and the Tuscan coast with Forte dei marmi and even further south.
The hallway is completely covered with books and it leads to the two bedrooms and bathrooms.
From the hallway you can access the separate two bedroom suite which includes one luminous double bedroom furnished with antiques and completed by the ancient wooden parquet floor which makes it even warmer and welcoming, one single bedroom with original cotto floors and a glass door to the balcony offering spectacular views. The suite is completed by a small but delicious private bathroom with shower which wasn’t changed to maintain the original characteristics of the house.
A cosy paintings exposition corner introduce you to the Ardesia (local stone) stairways decorated with a wooden library which accompany you upstairs where the last romantic isolated double bedroom and bathroom with bathtub await you.
The villa offers TVsat, CD-player and Internet access, high-quality Flanders’ linen sheets and bedcovers, as well as embroidered towels and bathrobes are likewise all provided.
THE GROUNDS
Encircled by shady olive trees and fully appointed with sunshades, lounges and other garden furniture, the private huge parc makes an ideal venue for sunbathing or al fresco dining. A second, more intimate terrace, furnished with table and chairs and oriental style sofas , forms another perfect spot for outdoor relaxation. In addition to these, the warm waters of the enticing outdoor pool invite you to bathe at leisure amid beautiful natural surroundings, bordered by orchards and aromatic plants.
The owner Francesca lives in another villa restored from an old barn only about 100 metres away with her mother Letizia who spends part of the year in Egypt and part of the year in Liguria. They are always happy to help out with advice and assistance, if required, while also fully respecting your privacy.
Villa Ortensia is located within easy reach of the area’s main sights of outstanding natural beauty or historic and artistic interest, such as the following: the medieval town of Sarzana (10 mins); the Cinque Terre villages; the Gulf of Poets; Portovenere; Portofino; the Apuan Alps and the white-marble quarries of Carrara (20 mins by car); the beaches of Versilia (30 mins by car); the famous Tuscan towns of Pisa (40 mins by car), Lucca (30 mins by car) and Florence (1 hour).
Many other unspoilt beaches dotted along the nearby coast can be accessed by car in about 15 mins.
Regular daily ferry services operate from the local ports of Lerici, La Spezia and Marina di Carrara (15 kms away) to the Gulf of Poets; Portovenere; the Cinque Terre villages; Portofino; and Genoa.
| Size: | Sleeps up to 7, 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|
| Nearest beach: | Bocca di magra, Lerici: 10/ 15 mins |
| Will consider: | Corporate lets |
| Access: | Car essential Nearest amenities: 7km |
| Family friendly? | Suitable for children of all ages Unsuitable for people with restricted mobility |
| Notes: | May take pets - please enquire Smokers welcome Self-catering |
Facilities
| Luxuries: | Internet access, DVD player, Sea view |
|---|---|
| Pool: | Private outdoor pool (unheated) |
| General: | Central heating, TV, CD player, Fax, Pool / Snooker table, Safe, Satellite TV |
| Standard: | Toaster, Iron, Hair dryer |
| Utilities: | Dishwasher, Cooker, Microwave, Fridge, Freezer, Washing machine |
| Rooms: | 3 Bedrooms, 3 bathrooms of which 1 family bathroom, 1 en suite and 1 shower room |
| Furniture: | Sofabeds (1), Single beds (1), Double beds (2), Cots (1), Dining seating for 12, Lounge seating for 8 |
| Other: | Please check with the advertiser regarding linen and towels |
| Outdoors: | Private outdoor pool (unheated), Balcony / Terrace, Private garden, BBQ |
| Access: | Secure parking |
Conditions
Prices include
•All linen and utilities
•Internet Access
•Water, gas, electricity
•Final cleaning
Prices do not include
•Security Deposit € 700,00 to be paid in Euro on arrival
•Heating during winter months according to consumption
Rental conditions
•Rentals are Saturday to Saturday
•Short rentals considered on request
•Arrival between 4 and 8 p.m.
•Departure by 10.00.
•Car essential
•Child friendly
Payment and Cancellation
DEPOSIT: A deposit of 30% of the total letting price is payable at the time of booking. It may be paid by credit card or wire transfer.
Upon receipt of your deposit we will send you a voucher via e-mail, confirming your payment and providing contact and arrival details.
BALANCE: The balance is due no later than 56 days (8 weeks) prior to the beginning of the letting period. If the balance is not paid by the appropriate date, the letting agreement will be deemed to be invalid and the deposit forfeited.
The North West Italy / Italian Riviera/Liguria region


The varied landscape of this area provides a wealth of different holiday settings for our guests.The dramatically rocky coastline of the Cinque Terre, with its exhilarating clifftop hiking-trails, gives way to sophisticated seaside resorts skirting bays with sandy beaches, washed by the warm turquoise water of the Mediterranean sea.
Ranging from just such superb coastal locations in the Cinque Terre area, to those of the adjoining Tuscan coast and countryside.
The diversity and outstanding natural beauty of this particular corner of the world really do promise something for everyone, to make your stay here truly unforgettable
The La Spezia / Sarzana area
The small historic town of Sarzana, set in a privileged ‘crossroads’ position between theLigurian sea and northen Tuscany'sApuan Alps mountain range. We are therefore ideally placed to bring you the very best of both these worlds, in terms of knowledge and expertise.
How to get there
Click map icons for more information
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| Nearest Travel Links | |
| Airport: | Pisa: 50 mins |
| Railway: | Sarzana: 7 Km |
| Ferry: | Lerici: 15 mins |
Villa Ortensia is located within easy reach of the area’s main sights of outstanding natural beauty or historic and artistic interest, such as the following: the medieval town of Sarzana (10 mins); the Cinque Terre villages; the Gulf of Poets; Portovenere; Portofino; the Apuan Alps and the white-marble quarries of Carrara (20 mins by car); the beaches of Versilia (30 mins by car); the famous Tuscan towns of Pisa (40 mins by car), Lucca (30 mins by car) and Florence (1 hour).
Many other unspoilt beaches dotted along the nearby coast can be accessed by car in about 15 mins.
Regular daily ferry services operate from the local ports of Lerici, La Spezia and Marina di Carrara (15 kms away) to the Gulf of Poets; Portovenere; the Cinque Terre villages; Portofino; and Genoa.
Nearest airport: Pisa 40 min by car
Activities near La Spezia
Tennis in town
Watersports
Horse Riding
Golf within 30 mins drive
Fishing
Rural / countryside retreats
Beach or lakeside relaxation

Guestbook for Villa Ortensia
My family recently spent a week staying in Villa Ortensia. It was one of the loveliest weeks of our vacation because it provided a home to come back to at the end of a day of sightseeing. The completely redone stone house itself was beautifully done, with intense attention to detail. The owner has filled the house with beautiful antiques and it looks authentic to its period. She even filled the house with helpful maps and guides and language dictionaries. The owner was on vacation the week we were there and left her daughter to look after us. She was gracious and fun, and we loved her welcoming and open personality. It was such a delight to come back at the end of the day to a bag of freshly picked cherries that Francesca would leave in a bag by the door. And then there was the sweet dog that my daughter had so much fun playing with. My husband and I had different views about the location. I loved it since the house sits at the top of a hill at the end of the road, giving us complete privacy and a spectacular view. It also felt like being a part of a regular village rather than a touristy location. The neighbors all lived there and would wave to us as we went by. It was a great springing off spot to the Cinque Terra, and the Apuan mountains and the local beaches. It thought it was all perfect. My husband hated driving up the narrow winding road to get there, honking along the way to let the other cars know we were coming. Despite the drive tho, it was hard to disagree that this was a one of a kind place to be.
Diane
San Francisco California USA
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Thank you, Francesca and Letizia, for making our stay at Villa Ortensia, so welcoming, relaxing and enjoyable. From the moment we arrived to see those wonderful panoramas for the first time to the moment we left embracing Letizia and Kruge, we felt so much part of your wonderful family. Of course, the weather was superb, the food was delicious, the swimming pool was stunning, the countryside was breathtaking, but it was the extra personal touches that made the holiday for us. The basket of apricots, the invitation to dinner, watching together ‘gli azzurri’ beat Ukraine on TV, driving down the hill afterwards to celebrate the win with the ‘contadini’, the hushed conversations around the pool, the tour of Letizia’s art museum: these are the things that will stay in the memory and will draw us back to this wonderful place and its equally wonderful owners. Much love Peter and Louise
Peter and Louise
Bath, Avon UK
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Hi Francesca: Just a note to tell you how much we enjoyed our week at Villa Ortensia. We arrived the day after a huge storm had hit the area, damaging electric lines to the TV satellite and the water heater. After our somewhat harrowing drive up that narrow winding country road in our huge van, we were looking forward to a hot shower. However, Francesca and Letizia handled the problem quickly, getting someone up that evening to fix the water heater. And by Monday we had TV! In any case, we settled in to the villa, enjoying the lovely antiques and artwork displayed all around the villa. The furnishings were comfortable as well as being attractive, and the beds were extremely luxurious (we shall miss those wonderful bed linens!). It was perfect having the privacy of the villa in the peaceful Legurian hills to retreat to after each day's explorations of villages and towns nearby. And I enjoyed long walks most every morning, exploring the nearby roads and meeting some of the neighbors. Villa Ortensia is wonderfully located for those day trips to Pisa, Lucca, Carrera, Lerici, Montemarcello, Portovenere, Cinqueterra --and we explored the local village of Sarzana as well, learning where to buy our bread, cheese, and other groceries. Francesca and Letizia were so helpful and gracious---daily gifts of cherries, lettuce from the garden, or fresh eggs from the hens--helped to make our stay very pleasant. And we appreciated having the kitchen so well stocked with supplies, condiments, etc. So nice not to have to buy those essentials when only staying a week. Another amenity that we really appreciated was having our laundry so nicely done and Francesca allowing us occasional use of her computer for communication to our families back home. The views from the villa are amazing; you are truly way up above the town in a wonderful country setting. It is a little piece of heaven! Much as we may have liked to sit all day on the terrace enjoying the views, we did want to get out each day and see as much as possible, and Francesca was an excellent source of information---for places to visit and restaurants. Thank you, Francesca, for recommending this villa to us. It was perfect--we hope to visit again before too long, and next time we will NOT drive a 9 passenger van. They are just too big for the village and country roads of Italy. However, we had six people and their luggage to transport the first week we were in Italy, so we were stuck with that van! Our best wishes and thanks again to Letizia, Francesca, and their friendly guard dog, Kruk (sp?). Sincerely
Pat Magyary and friends
California, USA
Rental prices
| Rental prices originally quoted in: Euros € | Convert to: |
| Prices for group size 7 | ||||||
| Period | From![]() | To![]() | Weekly![]() | Nightly rate | Minimum stay | |
| Weekday | Weekend | |||||
| Low season | 1 Mar 12 | 25 Mar 12 | € 1700 | - | € 700 | 3 Nights |
| Mid season | 25 Mar 12 | 21 Apr 12 | € 2180 | - | - | 3 Nights |
| Mid season | 21 Apr 12 | 26 May 12 | € 2180 | - | - | 1 Week |
| High season | 26 May 12 | 9 Sep 12 | € 2670 | - | - | 1 Week |
| Mid season | 9 Sep 12 | 7 Oct 12 | € 2180 | - | - | 1 Week |
| Mid season | 7 Oct 12 | 21 Oct 12 | € 2180 | - | - | 3 Nights |
| Low season | 21 Oct 12 | 23 Dec 12 | € 1700 | - | € 700 | 3 Nights |
| High season | 23 Dec 12 | 8 Jan 13 | € 2670 | - | - | 1 Week |
The property's weekend rates apply to: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.
*Last minute offer!!! 20% discount for any weeks still available in June*
Prices include
•All linen and utilities
•Internet Access
•Water, gas, electricity
•Final cleaning
Prices do not include
•Security Deposit € 700,00 to be paid in Euro on arrival
•Heating during winter months according to consumption
Payment and Cancellation
Credit Card accepted; VISA, MASTERCARD, AMEX
DEPOSIT: A deposit of 30% of the total letting price is payable at the time of booking. It may be paid by credit card or wire transfer.
Upon receipt of your deposit we will send you a voucher via e-mail, confirming your payment and providing contact and arrival details.
BALANCE: The balance is due no later than 56 days (8 weeks) prior to the beginning of the letting period. If the balance is not paid by the appropriate date, the letting agreement will be deemed to be invalid and the deposit forfeited.

Availability
See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here
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Contact the owner
* Required fields Please check the following errors: | You are contacting Francesca Zazzali
Payment accepted
Languages spoken ![]() The owner is based in Italy and has advertised with Holiday Lettings since 2012. This villa has so far received no reviews. ![]() |
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