Liguria, La Spezia, Lerici, Italy

Unique opportunity to purchase a superb property with garden and garage situated in a picturesque village overlooking the Bay of Lerici.

Access is from the village lane with wrought iron gate into the well maintained and mature garden (185 sq meters). Partly paved to provide a lovely terrace with views for 'al fresco' dining, a few steps lead to the lower terraces with vegetable garden, and a private shaded area overlooking the hills and olive groves. The views are towards the olive groves and hills.

This stone house was restored by an architect with attention to detail and has maintained many lovely original features.

Entrance is to a cool and bright hallway opening to a dining room, fully fitted and modern kitchen, living room opening onto the garden and patio area, bathroom. Upstairs are three bedrooms and a spacious bathroom. Marble steps lead up to a roof terrace equiped with sink and electricity and with magnificent views. The property is connected to main services and has central heating. A two-car garage is included in the sale and is a short walk from the property.

Terracotta floors, exposed beams, antique wooden cupboards and marble are just some of the features of this typical Liguria property. The owner is selling with most of the furniture included.

A must see property.

The spectacular bay is called the Gulf of the Poets because Shelley, Byron and D. H. Lawrence all lived there at some time. An enclave with a group of three islands at its tip, it has fishing villages with exceptional fish restaurants, as well as opportunities for sailing, canoeing, snorkelling or just relaxing on one of the beaches hidden in craggy bays around Fiascherino or Tellaro. Lerici and San Terenzo offer golden sandy beaches with views to the islands. The easiest way to get around the gulf is by boat which run between, Lerici, La Spezia and Portovenere or on to The Cinque Terre, five villages strung along the terraced cliffs looking out to the sea. These villages are completely unspoilt and, until recently, could only be reached by boat or by train. Anyone visiting the Cinque Terre should take a walk along the cliff paths which link one village to the next, stop in one of the bars or restaurants and try the anchovies marinated in olive oil and garlic, served with bread and delicate white wine made from the grapes that grow up the steep terraces above the villages. Lerici itself is dominated by the castle with the old village of pastel coloured tall buildings huddled on the steep hill dropping down to the sea and the marina. The back streets of Lerici have many colourful shops and restaurants and it has a wonderful atmosphere at any time of the day or evening.

Sarzana, just a 10 minute drive, is a vibrant medieval market town with large elegant central piazza and cobbled lanes meandering through the town flanked with coffee shops and antique stores. During the summer months Sarzana often hosts festivals, concerts and open-air events staged in the piazzas and along the narrow, cobbled lanes. On summer evenings there is a local craft/ antique market which fills the whole town and is a joy to wander through in a welcoming atmosphere. The central castle has a number of exhibitions and events, and it too is open on summer evenings. Sarzana also has a train station with direct trains to Pisa, Florence, the Cinque Terre and Genova.

Distances: Lerici 2 km, La Spezia (trains, supermarkets) 5 km, Baia Blue (beaches and marina) 7 km, Sarzana 8 km, Cinque Terre 20 km, Forte dei Marmi 40 km, Lucca 70 km, Pisa (airport) 80 km, Florence 130 km.