Tuscany, Lunigiana, Fivizzano, Italy

Country house with a large, pretty garden with fruit trees. Easy access to both beaches and winter skiing.

The entrance is through private stone flagged courtyard into a taverna-kitchen opening onto the garden and a living room on the ground floor. Also on this level are four store rooms (cantina). Upstairs there is a further kitchen, living room, three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an attic room. Lovely terrace. Private, gated parking.

Set in a small village in the hills with wonderful views, just 5 km from Fivizzano. Fivizzano is a medieval walled town with a central cobbled piazza and is often referred to as the Florence of Lunigiana. The bustling town hosts many cultural events over the summer with concerts in the piazza and reenactments of medieval parades. With strong musical heritage the town attracts international musicians during its annual folk music festival and music of all kinds. There is a hospital, shops, supermarkets, restaurants and coffee bars in the town.

Lunigiana is a magical part of Tuscany. 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 hour away. Lunigiana is special and has been likened to a magical kingdom. The golden sandy beaches around Lerici and the pebble coves of the Cinque Terre are ideal for swimming and sailing. The area is criss-crossed with marked footpaths for walks to the hills and mountains. The airports of Pisa, Parma and Genova are all just over an hour away.

Distances: Fivizzano 5 km, Aulla (autostrada and trains) 20 kms, Lerici (beaches) 45 kms, Lucca 85 kms, Pisa (airport) 100 kms, Florence 150 kms.