Tuscany, Lunigiana, Fivizzano, Italy

Villa in a private, panoramic position with outstanding views in the Lunigiana hills of Tuscany. Presented in 'as new' condition and finished with traditional Tuscan details of painted ceilings, brick arches which are married with modern systems and conveniences.

The house is approached on good roads with easy access and a private garage and plenty of parking. Into the house is a large, light living room and dining room with views and a well-equipped kitchen which opens onto a covered terrace, perfect for outdoor dining. Also on this level is the master bedroom and bathroom. Upstairs there are a further two double bedrooms and each one has an additional eves room, which could be used as wardrobe or as additional child's or occasional bedroom. Family bathroom. So the space is flexible and it could be used as a 3, 4 or 5 bed house.

The house is surrounded by olive groves and set in 12 000 square meters of land.

The property is situated at the edge of a village so it is a nice walk to the 'alimentari', grocers' shop, and a restaurant. The larger town of Fivizzano, a medieval walled town with a central cobbled piazza and often referred to as the Florence of Lunigiana, is just 5 km away. The bustling town hosts many cultural events over the summer with concerts in the piazza and reenactments of medieval parades. With its musical heritage the town also attracts international musicians during its annual folk music festival. There is a hospital, shops and restaurants in the town.

There are many great day trips to explore. Lucca is a beautiful Tuscan town protected by massively thick 16th-century walls, featuring some of Italy's finest medieval and Renaissance architecture, superb dining, antique markets, classical and rock music at the Lucca Summer Festival and with easy access to stunning nearby villas in the surrounding hills. The central Piazza dell'Anfiteatro in the centre is stunning. Pietrasanta is a historic medieval and artistic town in northern Tuscany sometimes called the City of the Artists or Small Athens for its marble studios and monuments. It is an important centre for working marble and was used as a marble source by Michelangelo. And, of course, the art and architectural treasures of Florence are a must.

The Ligurian coastline is within easy reach. The Cinque Terre (UNESCO World Heritage site) is made up of the five fishing villages: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore and the 18km of coastal walks along the old mule-tracks between them, the most famous of which is the Via dell’Amore. Just south of the Cinque Terre is Portovenere where you can catch a ferry to the Cinque Terre or to Lerici, swim at Byron’s Bay or visit one of the islands Palmaria, Tino or Tinetto. The villages of Lerici and San Terenzo, each with impressive castles, face each other across the Gulf of the Poets and Tellaro has been named as one of the top 100 most beautiful hamlets in Italy. Neighbouring Fiascherino is just as beautiful. In addition to being known as a seaside tourist town, Viareggio is famous for its Carnival in February and the Puccini Festival during July and August. So the Ligurian coastline offers endless possibilities for days swimming or sailing, or for catching a boat trip or for simply taking a 'passeggiata al mare' and sipping an aperitivo.

The Ligurian coastline is special and Lunigiana, the northernmost part of Tuscany, is magical. The rolling landscape is liberally sprinkled with castles of Medici or Malaspina vintage and the year round calendar of festivals offer wonderful local specialities to try in each of the ancient towns and villages. The airports of Pisa, Parma and Genova are all just over an hour away.

Distances: Fivizzano 5 km, Aulla (motorway and trains) 14 km, Lerici (beaches) 30 km, Cinque Terre 40 km, Carrara 50 km, Pietrasanta 60 km, Lucca 90 km, Pisa (airport) 95 km.