Tuscany, Lunigiana, Casola in Lunigiana, Italy

Beautifully restored character property set at the edge of a picturesque country village.

The property is entered through a private stone flagged courtyard to a covered terrace area. Inside is an open plan living room - dining room - kitchen that opens onto a private garden to the rear (possibility of also purchasing the neighbouring olive grove), utility room, bathroom/laundry room. Upstairs there are three bedrooms and a bathroom. There is a lovely covered loggia also accessed from this level.

The house is complete with central heating.

The little village of Casola in Lunigiana is just 6 km away and offers a selection of shops and cafè. There are several pizzeria and agriturismo restaurants on the area.

Fivizzano (5 km), often referred to as the Florence of Lunigiana, is a medieval walled town both beautiful and practical with supermarkets, restaurants and coffee bars. The bustling town hosts many cultural events over the summer with concerts in the piazza and reenactments of medieval parades and a popular food festival. There is a hospital, shops and restaurants in the town. The town hosts an international music festival in July.

Lunigiana (pronounced Loonee-janna) is a magical part of Tuscany starting with its name the ‘Land of the Moon’. 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 but for lovers of the coast the sea is only half-an-hours’ drive away. Glorious countryside, delicious food and wine, kind friendly locals and most importantly, from the sense of tradition and community amongst people here that is rarely seen in modern day life. The golden sandy beaches around Lerici and the pebble coves of the Cinque Terre are ideal for swimming and sailing in the summer while the snow clad mountains offer skiing in the local resorts during the winter months and are each a short drive away. The area is criss-crossed with marked footpaths for walks to the hills and mountains. The airports of Pisa, Parma and Genova are all within an hours’ drive.

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 within easy reach. 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.

Distances: Casola in Lunigiana 6 km, Fivizzano 15 km, Aulla (motorway and trains) 26 km, Lerici (beaches) 45 km, Cinque Terre 60 km, Lucca 75 km, Pisa (airport) 100 km.