Tuscany, Lunigiana, Pontremoli, Italy

Character stone house with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a lovely balcony with views, situated in one of the most beautiful towns of Lunigiana in Tuscany.

Accommodation is on three floors and comprises: on the ground floor, there is a character 'taverna' with stone walls and a cantina for storage. Entrance is via the top floor of the property which comprises an open-plan kitchen/dining-area, double bedroom with ensuite bathroom. Downstairs can be accessed by the internal staircase or an outside entrance, leading to entrance hall, bedroom with balcony and picturesque view, bathroom with shower, a study and storage cupboard. The property has many character features including wooden beams and stone walls. There is also central heating on mains gas.

A good selection of shops, restaurants and amenities are within walking distance in this lovely town. There is motorway access and a train station in Pontremoli with trains to Lucca, Pisa, Cinque Terre and Milan.

The ancient town of Pontremoli was built between two rivers as an expansion of the central castle. Wherever you look, you will find elegant palazzos with internal courtyards overlooking the river, porticos and stylish piazzas. The cobbled lanes leading up to the castle are flanked with stone houses and interlinking arches. The twin arched roman bridges are the gateway on either side of the town. Pontremoli has a good selection of shops and restaurants, a theatre, hospital and the famous Castello which houses a museum. The central Piazza della Repubblica has traditional cafès where you can mingle with authors as the town hosts the most important Italian book prize. Don’t miss the imposing white marble Cathedral and colourful street market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Lunigiana is a magical part of Tuscany. The hills that 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 but for lovers of the coast the sea is only half-an-hours’ drive away. Lunigiana is special and has been likened to a magical kingdom. It is not only the breath-taking scenery with its abundance of medieval castles but you simply feel a huge sense of wellbeing radiating from the sunshine, glorious countryside, delicious food and wine, kind friendly locals and most importantly, from the sense of tradition and community amongst people here that is rarely seen in modern day life.

The golden sandy beaches around Lerici and the pebble coves of the Cinque Terre are ideal for swimming and sailing in the summer while the snow clad mountains offer skiing in the local resorts during the winter months and are each a short drive away. The area is criss-crossed with marked footpaths for walks to the hills and mountains. The airports of Pisa, Parma and Genova are all within an hours’ drive.

Distances : Pontremoli - on the doorstep, Lerici (beaches) 30 km, Cinque Terre 40 km, Parma 90 km, Lucca 90 km, Pisa (airport) 100 km.