Tuscany, Lunigiana, Licciana Nardi, Italy

Quaint terraced stone house set in the heart of an ancient village 'borgo', one of the prettiest streets in Lunigiana.

Approached from the borgo up stone steps to a porticoed entrance terrace, the property comprises:

First floor: enclosed porch, entrance hall / living room with stairs, bathroom with shower, double bedroom with lovely countryside views.

Second floor: living / dining room with stairs, kitchen opening onto terrace - currently closed-in but there could be scope to reopen this subject to planning consents

Third floor: two large attic rooms.

There is also a cantina.

Gas central heating and double glazing.

The property is set within a charming village, within the historic stone 'borgo' (street) - once an important trade route through the mountains - running through its centre. From the back of the house are wonderful views across fields and gardens, to the little river and mountain ridge beyond. With a friendly community, there is a coffee bar and excellent restaurant offering home made pasta dishes, weekend pizzas and many local specialities. There are marked walking trails into the hills directly from the village.

Just 6 km away is Licciana Nardi, a town in the Taverone valley with 13th century pedestrian street flanked with local shops. Central in the town is the Piazza del Municipio which hosts the 16th century Malaspina castle and 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. There are also a bank, schools, restaurants and medical facilities. The nearby village of Monti has a castle on the hill above and offers a good selection of amenities. Lunigiana is a magical part of Tuscany. The hills that 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 a short hop away. 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: Licciana Nardi 6 m, Aulla (autostrada) 10 km, Lerici (beaches) 40 km, Cinque Terre 50 km, Pisa (airport) 95 km, Lucca 95 km, Florence 150 km.