Tuscany, Lunigiana, Licciana Nardi, Italy

Spacious and welcoming detached four bed villa (260 sqm) surrounded by a well maintained, level garden, mainly laid to lawn, on the edge of a pretty village within easy walking distance of shops, cafés and restaurants. Private, gated entrance and parking and a garage.

The villa is approached on a quiet lane to a gated private entrance. It is on three levels and surrounded by an enclosed garden with bright living accommodation on the ground floor and bedrooms on the first and second floors. The welcoming entrance hall leads to the light and airy living room through a Tuscan arch to the left, with two double doors out to a shady loggia with a vista to the garden. To the right is a well-fitted kitchen. Upstairs are two large double bedrooms, where the master bedroom has double doors to a balcony and there is also a bathroom, and upstairs to the loft area are two further bedrooms and another bathroom. Stairs from the kitchen lead down to the 'taverna' which could easily be a self-contained flat. Currently there is a good kitchen, dining area and living room with a log fire, and a utility room with plumbing for a washing machine and there is a bathroom. There is also a garage. The villa is surrounded by approximately 500 sqm of flat land laid to lawn, with trees and shrubs where a swimming pool could be installed subject to planning permission.

This is a light filled property due to the large windows and the loggia is perfect for dining outside with plenty of garden to relax in. There are olive trees in the pretty garden and the location is perfect as it is within walking distance of shops, cafés and excellent restaurants.There is a gate to enter the property to a garage and private parking. The property has gas central heating and is presented in very good order throughout. The property is set in a quiet residential area, on the edge of the village of Monti where there are far-reaching views towards the Apuane mountains. It is easy to walk into the village where there are shops, a good pizzeria, restaurants, bakers, a chemist, banks and coffee bars. The village is dominated by an impressive Malaspina castle fortress which sits at the top of the hill above the village and can be seen from all around. A local bus service provides transport to Aulla (6 km) which has a good range of larger shops, a railway station and motorway access.

Just 3 km up the valley from Monti is the town of Licciana Nardi in the Taverone valley with 13th century pedestrian street flanked with local shops. Central in the town is the Piazza del Municipio, the 16th century 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.

Lunigiana is a magical part of Tuscany. 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 by road, 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: Monti on the doorstep, Licciana Nardi 3 kms, Aulla (autostrada, supermarkets, trains) 6 kms, Lerici (beaches) 30 kms, Cinque Terre 40 km, Lucca 80 kms, Pisa (airport) 90 kms, Florence 150 kms.