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Planning a vacation in Tuscany?

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A Tuscan vacation

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If you are planning a vacation in Italy, want to visit Tuscany and like the countryside, let me know.

This property is located in Lunigiana, in northernTuscany, at the border with the Liguria region.

It is difficult to describe the beauty and magic of the area and the richness of its history.Perhaps it could help to say that the via Francigena is walking distance from the property, that from oneof the terraces one can see three medieval castles and many more are scattered in the surrounding area, or that Italian poet Dante spent inLunigiana some of his life‘shappiest times, or that in a half hour driving, not even enough to cross the NJ Turnpike sometimes, one can get to Lerici, Porto Venere and le Cinque Terre......

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The Via Francigena is an ancient road and pilgrim route

running from France to Rome, though it is usually

considered to have its starting

point much further away,

in the English cathedral city of

Canterbury.

As such, the route passes through

England, France, Switzerland and

Italy. The route was known in

Italy as the “Via Francigena”

(“the road that comes from

France”) or the “Via Romea

Francigena” (“the road to Rome that

comes from France”).

In mediaeval times it was an

important road and pilgrimage

route for those wishing to visit the

Holy Sea and the tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul.

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Lerici Lerici is 20 miles west

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Porto Venere

also about 20 miles away

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Porto Venere

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Cinque Terre by ferry-boat from Lerici

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Cinque Terre

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Trekking

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Are we there yet??

Lunigiana is:* 190 miles (300 km) from Malpensa, the Milan airport.

* 96 miles (155 km) from Florence.

* 52 miles (83 km) from Lucca or Pisa.* 60 miles (96 km) from Portofino.

* 20 miles from the coast and 40 minutes to Versilia beaches.

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A little bit about the apartment:

It is one of two apartments in a 100 year old stone farm house which is being renovated.

The apartment is on the top floor of the house, just one flight up, and is 100 sq. mt. (about 1000 sf.). There are two bathrooms as well as two fireplaces on the main floor. In addition there are two spacious lofts accessed off the bedrooms that can be used for working and /or sleeping. The main floor features:

* Master bedroom with terrace and bathroom * Second bedroom with twin beds and bathroom * Kitchen with fireplace* Living/dining room with fireplace

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The apartment is ideal for a couple with two children; sleeps 4 people + 2 in lofts.

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The property sits on top of a hill overlooking open

countryside and the Apuan Alps, from where the Carrara

marble is – alas, savagely – extracted.

The house is part of a medieval “borgo” on top of a

hill; basic food shopping, a pharmacy, two gelato

stores, post office, ATM machine, coffee shop and

cigarettes can be found in the village, a one mile walk;

serious food shopping can be done by car 15 minutes

away in the small town of Aulla, in major food chains

such as Conad or Lidl.

Horse back riding can be easily organized in a

farm/ranch about five miles away.

There is no swimming pool.

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one of the many cats spying breakfast on the kitchen window...

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View from master bedroom, south

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Master bedroom

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Master bedroom terrace

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Master bedroom terrace, south/west

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More cats..

House babies

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Work in progress...

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View on the Apuan Alps from courtyard

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The property is surrounded by hundred years old oaks. View east , from courtyard

25View south on Apuan Alps, Fall sunset

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South, early morning fog

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A winter sunrise

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If you are interested in reading a little about Lunigiana, we suggest:

“A Tuscan Childhood” – the English classic memoir – by Kinta Beevor, whose family lived in the Aulla fortress della Brunella. “With its ivy-covered towers, chestnut forests and magnificent views of the Apuane Alps, the castle became for Beevor and her family ''an enchanted world far from English formality.'‘ Philip Gambone, The New York Times

“ A little place in Italy” by Eric Newby.If your Italian is good, there is a great library in Aulla with many books on the local cooking (panigacci, testaroli…not to be missed!), traditions and history, including the role the area played during the WWII partisan resistance.

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People who were here said…

“My husband, my son and I visited during the summer and were immediately captivated by the serenity of the location. Being able to overlook olive trees, take in the fresh air and see extensive mountains relaxed us entirely. After this much needed 'R&R' we visited nearby sites that included the breathtaking coastline of the Liguria sea in Lerici and along the Cinque Terre. In all my travels we were never able to combine mountain hiking with beach comber without changing our lodging. Ellen, Jim and Andre, NYC.”

• “We had a wonderful summer week stay at Monti. Great North Tuscany location off the beaten tourist track, nestled on grounds of 12th Century castle, overlooking quiet pastures and the Carrera white marbled mountains in the distance. Memorable outdoor breakfasts and dinners with locally grown food and wine, and landscape painting in the soft Tuscan morning and evening sunlight. Conveniently located with easy day trips to Cinque Terra, Lucca, and neighborhood horse back riding. Looking forward to return visit with Monti's charming hostess, Marianna.

• Brad & Debbie (NYC) ”

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