Liguria, La Spezia, Italy

Detached, five bed villa set in 13,000 sqm of private garden with lovely views. The property is accessed through gates and there is ample parking. The villa was built in the 1970's by a well known architect of the area and is characterized by large open rooms and big glass windows with great views.

On the ground floor is an ample 'taverna' or party room with fireplace and wood fired pizza oven, as well as a garage, laundry room, two cantina (storerooms), a double bedroom and a bathroom. On the upper level there is a large living room with central feature fireplace, well-equipped kitchen, further living-dining room opening onto terrace, master bedroom with en suite bathroom, portico. Also a further three bedrooms, a family bathroom and a study. The property is light and airy with wooden floors. All mains services. There is a further building on two levels currently used for storage, which offers potential.

Beautiful land and garden of 13,000 sqm (over three acres) with olive groves. Plenty of space for a swimming pool, subject to planning. Walking distance to a beautiful medieval village with restaurants and some shops. The beaches of the Gulf of the Poets 15 minutes. The autostrada access is 10 minutes away, giving excellent transport links, especially to Pisa, Florence and Genoa airports. There is a train station at the bottom of the hill with a good service to the Cinque Terre in particular, and to La Spezia and beyond. This is an exceptional, quality property in a perfect location close to the beautiful Ligurian coastline, offering excellent value.

The Ligurian coastline is within a 15 minute drive. 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.

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 special. The airports of Pisa, Parma and Genova are all just over an hour away with easy access on the autostrada network.

Distances: Vezzano Ligure on the doorstep, Venere Azzurra (beaches) 10 km, La Spezia 10 km, Cinque Terre 25 km, Pietrasanta 40 km, Lucca 70 km, Pisa (airport) 80 km, Florence 150 km.