Tuscany, Pisa, Casciana Terme, Italy

Exceptional, large duplex loft apartment with four bedrooms and ample living space, in the center of the spa town of Casciana Terme, on the upper floors of a lovely, ancient building, formerly the site of an elegant hotel.

Arranged on two levels, with a good entrance hall and a long corridor that opens onto the spacious living room with double height ceiling, fireplace, nicely fitted kitchen with pantry. There is a beautiful terrace overlooking the village and the hills, a perfect space to enjoy meals alfresco. Two bedrooms, one with bathroom and there is also a second bathroom with whirlpool bathtub. Upstairs is an extensive loft area with three more rooms, of which two are currently used as bedrooms and the third one is a study and has a Juliet balcony overlooking the living room. The space is extensive. Full of charm and character with high ceilings, wooden beams, cotto floors and full of light. Small, private garden and lovely terrace with views.

The beautiful town of Casciana Terme, famous for its thermal waters and with a newly renovated spa which is a perfect place to spend a day relaxing, with indoor and outdoor pools. Casciana is dominated by a castle, with a beautiful central piazza and since Roman times it has been famous for the curative warm thermal waters. Today it is a bustling town with a busy weekly market and great shops and restaurant and a famous theatre. It is halfway between the famous hilltop village of Volterra and Pisa. The area offers many activities with easy to join cooking classes, art classes, Italian language classes, wine tasting, hill walking and even Vespa tours around the rolling hills of the area. The friendly community is ready to welcome you in and there are so many great places within easy reach - it really is a great spot from which to explore the whole of Tuscany.

The coastal cities of Castiglioncello and Cecina, the golf courses of Pisa and Castelfalfi, and the historic towns of Volterra and San Gimignano are all close by, and each make a wonderful day out. The old town of Livorno is close too, from where it is possible to hop of the ferry to the magnificent island of Elba, just off the coast.The town is located in Valdera in Central Tuscany between Pisa and Florence. This colourful landscape of rolling hills is dotted with medieval villages, castles and lanes flanked with tall dark green cypress trees, all of which epitomizes the Tuscan landscape. The nearby città d’arte (cities of art) include Volterra, San Gimignano, Palaia and Florence, each offering splendid art and architecture to admire. In Lajatico, Andrea Bocelli, the famous tenor, was born and it is in the heart of Valdera that his Teatro del Silenzio (the Theatre of Silence) draws some of the biggest names in opera, when he hosts a summer festival each year in July.

Distances: Walk to shops and restaurants in Casciana Terme, Pontedera (trains, supermarkets) 20 km, Pisa (airport) 35 km, Cecina (beaches) 35 km, Volterra 40 km, San Gimignano 50 km, Lucca 70 km, Florence 80 km.