Tuscany, Lunigiana, Villafranca in Lunigiana, Italy

Presented in good condition throughout, three bed house, with paved, gated parking and with terrace and pretty garden, in a lovely area, with local services close by.

The entrance to the house is from terrace to open plan living room with fireplace which is open to the dining room and built-in kitchen. There are doors to garden and a french window gives access to the large terrace. There is also a store room, a bathroom with shower and washing machine plumbing. Upstairs there are three bedrooms, one with balcony and another bathroom fully tiled with shower. Character and quality throughout with wooden floors and beamed ceiling. On the ground floor there is a garage-cantina (store room) and a portico. Pretty garden. Gas central heating.

The property is set in quiet countryside, in the foothills of the Lunigiana mountains of northern Tuscany, yet only 30-40 mins to the sea and with far-reaching views towards the Apuane mountains. The village of Monti, nearby, 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, supermarkets, a railway station and motorway access (A15). 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 on the autostrada network, 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 3 km, 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.