Ai Monti

There is also a ping-pong table and alpacas to visit on the farm!

The real highlight of the house during the summer has to be the pool. It is spring fed so always stays refreshingly cool, ten metres long and ranging from three metres to one and a half metres deep. It has stupendous panoramic views. Days spent at Ai Monti in the summer always tend to revolve around the pool for very good reason.

The house is very much a family home and has all the comfort and also lived in and relaxed feel that implies. The cosy sitting room is perfect for the occasional wet weather day and well stocked with board games, decks of cards, TV and DVDs and of course the all important WIFI.

Moreover there are large tables to accommodate all the family for meals, both inside and outside. There are few pleasures greater than sitting under the lush wisteria, admiring the stunning view over a leisurely meal and a glass of wine from the vineyards surrounding the house.

Fuller details:

Ground floor:

• Enter into property into ground floor which houses kitchen/diner and utility room, between them equipped with double oven, aga, 5 ring hob, dishwasher, 2 washing machines, standard fridge freezer and a large American style fridge/freezer with ice maker. There is a breakfasting/food prep table and also a dining table with great views.
• This traditional style farmhouse kitchen, well equipped for cooking for large groups, leads to a wonderful wisteria covered pergola dining terrace with fantastic mountain views.
• Cloakroom with WC, basin and bidet
• Shower room with walk in shower, WCnd basin.

Midway up:

Door leading to the pool and sunbathing terrace.

Little covered area to shower room  (shower, WC and basin) - attached to the house accessed 'externally', but covered so no problem if there is rain.

First floor

• This floor boasts a very spacious and comfortable living room, with fireplace, sat tv, dvd, shelves with loads of books, dvds, videos and games etc. Perfect for cooler evenings...
• Double bedroom
• Twin bedroom
• Bedroom with 3 beds

Second floor :

• Midway up there is a door leading to balcony overlooking the pool
• Enormous master bedroom with fireplace (as large as living room below!)
• Double bedroom
• Twin bedroom
• Bathroom with bath, hand held shower, WC and bidet
• Shower room with shower cubicle, basin (no WC)

External:

• Wonderful private pool 10M x 5M with gorgeous mountain views, attracting the sunshine until late. Depth 1.4M - 2.4M
• Plenty of space for dining together al fresco - 2 large dining areas, 1 under pergola, and 1 on patio outside front door
• Pool can be accessed from ground floor patio/pergola area via stairs that lead to pool terrace, or from internal stairs that lead directly onto pool terrace.
• BBQ
• There is a pool shower room attached to the house.
• This house is immersed in greenery, with fields, olive trees and stunning mountain views. There are even Alpacas to visit!!

Note! No electric car charge is permitted on this property

A Little About the Area:

• Perfectly located in the depths of the Garfagnana hills, on the sunny side of the valley with stupendous views, this very rural property is still convenient!

• There is a pizzeria 2.3km away, and the house is just a ten-minute walk from Migliano, the nearest village, which has a pharmacy. Sometimes local festas take place here, especially in August, with food and music (ranging from traditional dances to pop).

• All this, and the house is also just 2km from the trains station, and just a ten minute drive from the bustling local market town of  Castelnuovo di Garfagnana complete with Thursday morning market, shopping, bars, gelaterias, eating places, and river. There is often music in the summer.

• Barga, with its great restaurants, beautiful views, cathedral, tiny squares, live music, night time markets, art and cobbled streets is just a 15 minute drive too...

• 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.

• Why not visit  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, there are the aforementioned towns of Castelnuovo and Barga close by 

• Lucca, the fully walled Mediaeval City and the Capital of the Region is less than and hours 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..

• The Golf Course of Garfagnana is only a 15/20  min drive.

• Florence 1 hr 40 mins

• Perfect location in the  Italian countryside, yet with facilities nearby - experience the real Italy!