Tuscany, Lunigiana, Tresana, Italy

Beautiful four bed, detached stone villa (310 sqm) with paved garden and large dining pergola, and with heated swimming pool, set in the hills of Lunigiana in Tuscany. There is a beautiful, light art studio/additional living area which offers the possibility of using this space as an independent guest unit, perfect for home and rental, or the whole makes a wonderful family home. The villa has been restored with love and care, and with particular attention to detail. Authentic rustic characteristics of natural stone, wooden beamed ceilings, fireplaces and terracotta floors have been retained and married with modern fittings to create a light and airy home, full of charm. There is an easy flow to the house and great connection from inside to outside, making it delightfully comfortable and relaxing.

The house is entered to a spacious entrance hall which leads through to a well equipped, light and open kitchen/diner with immediate access to a beautiful, paved south-facing garden (180 sqm) to the front of the property with wonderful views. A large, stylish wooden and terracotta tiled portico offers an excellent summer dining area, to seat eight easily, and it is a wonderful place to relax. The kitchen accesses a large larder/ storeroom and there is a utility room with washing machine and boot storage which can be accessed directly from the outside. There is also a bathroom with whirlpool bath and separate shower on the ground floor. Additionally, the property benefits from an integral, spacious art studio/work area and "summer lounge" which are also on ground floor and are equipped with all services, a wood burner and bathroom. To the rear of the studio there is a large storage room. This flexible space, full of light, which also opens onto the sun terrace offers itself for a number of uses and can be used independently of the main house, or as a part of it.

Upstairs the stunning living space is large and bright. It comprises a sitting room with chestnut beams, exposed stone and brickwork, wooden flooring and a glass fronted wood burning fireplace. Full height french windows look out onto impressive views across the valley. Leading off the sitting room is another large room with windows on three sides. It is currently used as a study, or it could easily become a further double bedroom. Across from the living area are two double bedrooms. The master bedroom has a large dressing area and an en-suite with bath and shower. Both the bedroom and the bathroom lead out onto a beautiful sun terrace, again with the panoramic views. There is also another double bedroom. On the second floor there is a spacious bedroom suite with exposed stone walls comprising a double bedroom, en-suite bathroom and a private living room with its own wood-burner. There is potential here for a further bedroom. Fully restored with all services connected and fittings of excellent quality. Wifi.

The pretty paved garden with a marble graveled area featuring two beautiful olive trees together with numerous ornamental planters. Rustic stone steps lead up to the tiled sun terrace with panoramic views across the valley. To the west end of the villa there is a swimming pool (8m x 3m, heated) built in August 2018, which is securely gated. To the rear of the property a room provides ample storage for garden tools/equipment/ furniture. Beautiful olive groves with approximately 40 olive trees on grass terraces surround the property and the property is entirely enclosed by metal railings and gates making it safe for dogs and children. This land area is around 1,300 sqm. There is central heating and wood-burning stoves. Ample private, off road parking.

The villa is on the edge of a small village in the Lunigiana hills, only 10 kms from Aulla where there is an autostrada exit, a train station, supermarkets and shops. There are numerous country farm restaurants to discover nearby, serving local specialties and excellent walking trails abound. The small town of Barbarasco is close, set on the banks of the river Magra, and offers a selection of shops and restaurants, schools, chemist and one of the best cheese shops in the area. Lunigiana is a magical part of Tuscany. The rolling landscape is liberally sprinkled with castles of Medici or Malaspina vintage but for lovers of the coast the sea is just a short hop away. The golden sandy beaches around Lerici and the pebble coves of the Cinque Terre are ideal for swimming and sailing.

Fosdinovo is a walled town dominated by a Malaspina Castle dating back to the fourteenth century. The town is famous for its embroidery on precious linen and Pope Francis' robe was embroidered by the ladies of Fosdinovo. The town is reached by a scenic road that meanders through the olive groves above the town of Sarzana. Sarzana 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 from dining in the piazza to concerts to open air events staged along the 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 and the Cinque Terre.

The coastal areas of Versilia and the Gulf of the Poets are just 30 km away. The Gulf of the Poets is a beautiful bay guarded by a group of three islands: Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto. There are exceptional fish restaurants, as well as opportunities for sailing, canoeing, snorkelling or just relaxing on one of the beaches hidden in the craggy bays around Fiascherino or Tellaro. The easiest way to get around the gulf is by boat which runs between Lerici, La Spezia, Portovenere and on to The Cinque Terre (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The name Gulf of the Poets is from the literary connection as some of the world’s most famous poets including Shelley, Byron and DH Lawrence who all lived here at some time. Lerici and San Terenzo offer golden sandy beaches with views to the islands and pretty piazzas with cobbled lanes which host some of the best restaurants in the area. Lerici itself is dominated by the castle with the old village of coloured houses huddled on the steep hill dropping down to the sea and the marina. The little lanes of Lerici have many colourful shops and restaurants so it is the perfect place of the evening stroll, the 'passeggiata'.

Versilia is the stretch of golden sandy coast from the tip of Liguria to Viareggio. Viareggio is the southernmost Italian Riviera resort on Italy's Mediterranean coast and the largest beach town in Tuscany. Liberty style buildings housing fashionable shops, cafes, and seafood restaurants line its promenade. Viareggio is famous for the yearly Carnevale di Viareggio dating back to 1873 with large papier-mâché floats which parade along the promenade known as "passeggiata a mare". The carnival takes place in the in the weeks preceding lent. In nearby Forte dei Marmi you can shop in the upmarket designer shops in the avenues around the pretty central piazza with bars serving refreshing campari. The area is beautiful. The airports of Pisa, Parma and Genova are just over an hour away.

Distances: Aulla 10 km, Lerici (beaches) 30 km, Fosdinovo 30 km, Sarzana 30 km, Cinque Terre 40 km, Viareggio 60 km, Versilia 60 km, Carrara 60 km, Lucca 80 km, Pisa (airport) 85 km.