VILLA COLLEMANDINA - VILLA ALBA REF 956

Sitting peacefully on the edge of the village of Villa Collemandina, tastefully and sympathetically restored stone house (130 sqm) with courtyard, large garden with lovely views and parking area. This property has been finished to the highest specifications (including central heating) while maintaining its traditional charm.

The front door opens into a large, open plan living room/dining room/kitchen (+ separate utility room/WC) with some exposed stone walls, terracotta floor tiles and beamed ceilings in the kitchen area.

There is a back door in the kitchen which leads into the courtyard and garden (about 200 sqm; 0.04 acres), which is completely enclosed and has a wrought iron gate.

A lovely open fireplace adds to the ambience between the kitchen and dining area.

Upstairs there are 3 bedrooms (2 doubles and 1 large single), a 4-piece shower room and access to the attic space above.

Villa Collemandina has a baker, butcher, chemist, café, post office, and doctor's surgery as well as a restaurant. There is picnic area near the “Lago di Villa” lake in Villa Collemandina, which provides trout for fishing and beautiful walks along its shores.

Just 5 minutes drive away is Pontecosi village with its pretty lake, churches, traditional houses also has a café/village shop right on the shores of the lake, which not only stocks basic groceries but also sells ice cream and snacks.

The lake is a haven for wild birds and is also a good fishing venue. There is a traditional Italian bowling (bocce) alley and a small children’s play park.

The medieval market town of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana (227m/745ft; population 8,000) lies in the heart of the Garfagnana, as this stretch of the fertile valley of the Serchio, flanked by the Apuan Alps to the west and Apennines to the east, is known. The district provides a range of sporting activities and promotes folk, agricultural and cultural events.

Castelnuovo train station is on the main Pisa/Lucca to Aulla line and there is a bus station with good links to the surrounding area.

The ski slopes of Il Casone are about 15 minutes away. The coast (Forte dei Marmi) and excellent ski resort of Abetone are about 1 hour away by car (in opposite directions!) Lucca and Pisa airport are about 1 hour and 1.5 hours away respectively.