Sorry - no pets allowed Suitable for children No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
Newly available following refurbishment, 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.
Outisde dining and pool area
Introducing "La Villa"
Sitting Room
Al fresco Breakfast
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/24709
The Tuscany 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.
Lunigiana / Aulla area
What to see and do. 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.
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 Prada 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.
How to get there
British Airways Gatwick: Pisa, Bologna Heathrow: Milan (Linate/Malpensa)
Sofabeds (2), Single beds (4), Double beds (1), Cots (1), Dining seating for 10, Lounge seating for 10, Sleeps maximum of 8
Other:
Linen and towels provided. Highchair available.
Outdoors:
Balcony / Terrace, Private outdoor pool (unheated), Private garden, BBQ
Access:
Parking space
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 can 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 toether to form a double bed and 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 & Appenines and outside stairs down to the rear garden & pool. Bathroom with bath including shower & screen, and a bidet. For added comfort the all single beds and the double bed on 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 A cot is available if needed and a high chair and playpen. There is a washing machine in the basement level cantina accessed from inside the house.
Further details outdoors: Outside. 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.. There 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. On this terrace is a further dining table and 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.
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.
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: British £
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
1 Jan -27 April
28 Mar 08
28 Apr 08
900£ 900
0-
0-
1 Week
28 Apr - 30 June 2008
28 Apr 08
1 Jul 08
1200£ 1,200
0-
0-
1 Week
1 July - 1 Sept 2008
1 Jul 08
2 Sep 08
1400£ 1,400
0-
0-
1 Week
1 Sept - 1 Oct 2008
2 Sep 08
30 Sep 08
800£ 800
0-
0-
1 Week
27 Jun 09
5 Sep 09
1750£ 1,750
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0-
1 Week
41
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion. all other times please contact owner
Availability notes
To see availability please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/24709
Click to view availability for this property.
Contact owner
To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/24709
Contact details for home 24709
Please mention Holiday Lettings
Name:
Lizzie Simpson
Mobile:
+44 (0)7710 410975
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Contact Notes: Mobile phone - any time Please be aware I do not have int
Advertiser joined: 27 Mar 2007 This property added: 27 Mar 2007
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