My house is on the edge of a hamlet nestling in the hills. The perfect choice as a base for your self catering holiday. Unwind on the terrace soaking up the sun and views, re-tread ancient footpaths winding into the hills, explore famous cities of art or just relax on the beach! Sample the real Italian food and wine experience from little country Trattorias then get away from it all at your holiday villa. Only 2km from the village of Valdottavo with shops, bars and restaurant for your immediate requirements and remember the famous city of Lucca is only 20 min by car. Furnished in traditional style No.11 offers 2 spacious bedrooms, one double & one twin, bathroom, sitting room, kitchen/dining room with log fire for winter evenings, panoramic, intimate covered terrace accessed from ground floor, plus another large front terrace with dining and barbecue facilities where you can enjoy to the full (hopefully with a glass of wine) sunsets and long summer evenings.
About Lucca: The whole area is rich in historic and cultural interest. Castello lies approximately 17 km. north of the ancient walled city of Lucca. It is a charming and beautiful city, with its priceless art treasures, narrow cobbled streets flanked by imposing palazzos, secluded squares, gardens and Romanesque churches. Whilst retaining all the elements of its age and history one finds sophisticated shops and restaurants. On the third weekend of every month there is a fantastic antiques fair which lasts for 2 days Throughout the summer months there are various classical and contemporary music festivals. On top of the medieval walls which enclose Lucca are wide and shady tree lined avenues. Here the locals cycle, walk their dogs and promenade. There are grassy ramparts ideal for relaxing after sight seeing or you can hire bikes and ride around the 4 km of wall. A great way to see the city from up high.
About the area: Bagni di Lucca 14 km from Castello has spa water swim pool and spa centre offering treatments all year. Barga 24 kms with 11th C.Cathedral and views of the Apuan Alps plus Jazz Opera festivals in summer, 'Fish and Chip' festival in July/August. Castelnuovo in Garfagnana 33 km 'Gateway of the Garfagnana' an area of incredible natural beauty and National Park of Orichella, caves, gorges, abundant plant and animal life, hidden villages where time stands still, great for hiking, cycling, pony trekking. Abetone 50 km a popular ski area. The Cinque Terre 63 km, 5 little fishing ports a must see along with the beautiful fishing port of Porto Venere. Florence 85 km motorway from Lucca or take the bus or train. Siena 146 km has the dramatic 'Palio' horse race on 2nd July and 16th Aug. San Gimignano 200 kms famous for it's stone towers. Versilia 30 km a huge stretch of beach and resorts ofViareggio, Pietrasanta, Forte dei Marmi beach clubs and night-life all night every night until sunrise
About Castello: Like so many Tuscan settlements, Castello clings to the side of a hill overlooking valleys, hillsides and mountains with terraced vineyards and olive groves in the foreground, and beyond, wooded slopes and picturesque villages. It is a peaceful place, totally unspoilt. It retains a traditional way of life and has been home for generations of Italian families who still cultivate the land. In the Spring of 2003, BBC2 screened a 'reality TV' documentary series concerning British families o wishing to relocate to another country. One of the programmes in the series follows the fortunes of a family wishing to relocate to Tuscany, in the Lucca area. The beginning of the programme shows the family viewing a handful of properties in the area and choosing the one that they would most like to live in. They chose my house in Castello and lived there for the duration of the filming. They, like me, fell in love with Castello and the house and playfully tried to persuade me to sell it to them. I said no!
