Col Di Maturaia *

The villa is a lovingly renovated traditional tuscan villa, built with local stone, and boasting terraces and arches.
The villa is peacefully situated and benefits from stunning views over the walled mediaeval village of castiglione.
Set in extensive grounds, with meadows, olive groves and fruit trees, this is a real rural retreat, yet situated only a 15 minute drive from the market town of castelnuovo di garfagnana with its shops, bars, restaurants, famous thursday morning market, and train station for easy exploring. Closer, is the village of pieve fosciana with its excellent restaurant and wonderful delicatessen selling home made take away italian food.

The villa itself has been gradually renovated with loving care, and the owners have ensured original features, such as solid chestnut flooring, traditional staircase, chestnut beamed ceilings and fireplaces have remained. The property has been furnished in period style too.

The property is very spacious, and has 4 bedrooms (1 double with doors leading to terrace, 1 twin, one small double/large single, and one single); a bathroom with tub; shower room; kitchen; dining room; living room; study; large entrance hall; 2 eating out areas, and 2 terraces.

The private pool is 5m x 11m plus a hydromassage area with steps for lazing, and a shallow platform area, leading to main pool at 1.5m depth

Enter house into large entrance/living area through to:

• Double aspect living room complete with fireplace, and comfy seating for 5 or so. Sat tv/dvd/video, and a good Wi-Fi connection. Double doors leading to terrace
• Study, with doors leading to terrace
• Dining room with enormous fireplace, original sink, and period furniture, leading through to
• Shaded eating area overlooking olive trees
• Round from the dining room is a downstairs wc
• The kitchen is well equipped with large oven, 5 ring hob, dishwasher, fridge/freezer, and double doors leading to further eating area

Upstairs:

• 1 double bedroom with doors leading to the terrace and amazing views
• One twin room which can also be a double
• One simple single bedroom
• One small double/large single
• Bathroom with bath tub, hand held shower over, wc, sink and bidet
• Shower room

Arch vaulted beamed ceilings throughout
The utility area is housed in the basement
NB  due to unprotected slopes, this property is not suitable for very small children

A little about the area

The villa is peacefully located down 1.3KM OF TRACK ROAD, and overlooks both the mediaeval village of Castiglione and the larger village of Pieve Fosciana which is around 3km or so away.
Both villages have restaurants and bars.
A  peaceful but handy location.

There are various good restaurants providing fresh local home cooked traditional food within a short drive, as well as local one off shops, delicatessens, gelaterias and supermarkets. On the way to town there is a village shop providing home cooked Italian hot and cold food to take away, with a different menu each day. Ideal for super easy eating at home, or for picnics. 

For relaxing afternoons out, there are lots of pretty villages to explore in the immediately locality, one of which is fully walled commanding outstanding views over the Apuane mountains. Many of these villages have festas in the summer with food, drink and dancing.

Situated only a short drive from the National Park of Orrecchiella, the location is ideal for walking, hiking, horseriding, mountain biking and picnicking, surrounded by views of the seemingly endless mountains, and local chestnut woodland. 

For those who enjoy the outdoor life there is also a local tree climbing/zip wiring park, with courses adapted for all age groups, from the very young to adults.

There are local adventure parks where one can try water canyoning, rock climbing, swimming in rock pools, canoeing etc and there is the Grotta del Vento, a massive cave system in the mountains which is a good day out.

There is an ancient fortress to visit with jaw dropping views, and interactive displays for children including a chance to try a little archery.

For when a townie day beckons, the local market town of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana is less than a 15 minute drive. Here there are bars, restaurants, a famous Thursday morning market, old castle walls, the river Serchio and local train station.

The beautiful mediaeval town of Barga with its cobbled streets, great architecture, cathedral and great views is only a 25-minute drive. Barga is famous for its art and music, and here one can often enjoy free music, evening markets, dancing, and sometimes even impromptu entertainment from Paolo Nutini! Becoming well known for its restaurants too, Barga has plenty of places to eat.

Lucca, the fully walled Mediaeval City and the Capital of the Region is only a 1 hour drive and one can spend the day cycling or meandering along its ample walls; people watching in both the grand and tiny piazzas with prosecco, coffee or ice cream; designer shopping; climbing towers, visiting some of its 99 churches or just taking in the atmosphere. If you like opera, there is a recital every evening before dinner in a unique church setting.

The traditional Tuscan sites of Pisa and Florence are easily do-able in a day trip as are the beaches of Forte dei Marmi or Viareggio. Many guests also visit the Cinque Terre...