IDEAL LOCATION FOR VIAREGGIO CARNIVAL, LUCCA SUMMER FESTIVAL AND LUCCA COMICS.
The property itself is old, stone and a rustic, mid terrace built on 4 floors. The first and second floors are for rental purposes. Entrance to the rental is through the front of the property. Made of thick stone the house keeps cool during the hot summer months, is light, airy and spacious. The small garden provides an additional space for dining outside, relaxing in peace and is comfortably shaded and "cool" during the hot summer months. The gate to the garden may be closed to provide a safe playing area for younger children. BBQ, garden furniture provided. The house is literally "home from home" and equipped with ample kitchen and living appliances for everyday comfort.
ENTRANCE: Through an arched gateway, leading to the front door. This area is a communal part of the homeowners property and access to the rental property is through this front room and through a second door and up the stairs to the first floor. The property is also accessible through the cottage garden at the back, then there are a few steps up to the Kitchen entrance. To the side of the house is a small gravel path shared with the neighbours. This leads to a communal pathway and our property is the one in the middle. Please respect the privacy of our neighbours if you wish to pass through to the back this way. We would prefer that the front entrance is used as much as possible. Please be aware, that the neighbours do own a small dog and may be alarmed by you walking through. They can be a bit yappy when disturbed!
Comprising of:
LIVING ROOM: Large, light, and airy. Large screen 50" Smart TV screen (Freeview channels). DVD player, HiFi. WiFi. Use of hundreds of DVDs, CDs, Games, and playing cards to borrow. Guide books and maps, general information folder and WiFi available.
BEDROOM 1: King size bed with Mosquito net over (plus 1 foldaway extra single bed and/or travel cot available if required), dressing table with drawers, 2 double wardrobes, hangers, bathrobes, bedside tables, radio.
BEDROOM 2: King size bed (plus 1 foldaway extra single bed available if required). Small wardrobe, chest of drawers, toybox, desk and TV on wall for DVDs only.
KITCHEN: Fully equipped with ample utensils, cutlery and crockery, including children's tableware. Dishwasher, microwave, fridge/freezer, oven, gas hob, toaster, cafetieres and radio.
LAUNDRY FACILITIES: Washing machine (located in garden under porch), Iron & Board, foldable clothes airer, outside washing line and pegs.
BATHROOM: Newly refurbished - large shower, wash basin, bidet, WC.
GARDEN - One area, enclosed with stone BBQ, garden table, chairs, 2 sun loungers and umbrella. Larger patio area, enclosed with Table and chairs to seat 8, umbrella including a rattan seating area. Mosquitos are a problem in Italy and you are advised to bring suitable sprays. We provide an electric zapper! which can be used in the garden together with repellent candles etc if required. Plug in Vape machines (tablets provided, but can be purchased at the supermarkets or Ilaria's shop in the village). These do work pretty well, keep rooms ventilated when in use.
Available all year round, Saturday to Saturday - but please enquire for availability of other arrival and departure dates.
The house will comfortably sleep 4 persons with 2 extra beds that can be placed in either of the bedrooms.
Marble staircase leads up to the upper floors - please be aware, with small children that there are no stair gates provided.
All linen, Duvets, pillows and blankets are provided. Towels and beach towels are provided.
HEATING: There is central heating in the building for winter months only.
AIR CON: There is currently no air conditioning in the house, but portable electric fans are provided. The house remains cool in winter compared to the hot temperatures outside due to its thick stone walls and cool terrazzo flooring.
The property itself is located only 5 minutes from the motorway, providing easy routes to all major tourist locations. Major supermarkets are only a bus ride away (5 minutes by car) and the very popular 'Il Borghetto' Restaurant is a 2 minute walk away, providing a wide menu of Fish and Meat choices and excellent Pizza (also available to take away).
PARKING AND GETTING AROUND:
Parking is available on the road just up from the property. This road is by no means busy or a main thoroughfare. There is also additional parking in the square (5 minutes walk from the house). Private parking is not available.
A CAR IS RECOMMENDED to fully appreciate the Tuscan countryside, although not essential, as buses run from the village (limited service weekends, school holidays and bank holidays). There is also a small unmanned train station 15 minutes walk from the house. This service goes from the village to both Lucca and Viareggio, Prato and an early morning train takes you to Florence. Please check out 'Trenitalia' or for times and service routes. Lucca is 7km away, only 10 minutes by car, but can take up to 20 mins by bus circulating the nearby villages on route. Last buses to the Village are around 8pm (winter schedule). A taxi can cost between E15 and E20 from Lucca to the House.
As this is generally a family home, and children are frequent visitors, we would appreciate your co-operation in adhering to the inside NON-SMOKING policy. However, smoking outside in the garden and under the back porch is of course permitted.
All within a short walk from the house you will find:
Restaurant – Il Borghetto, a short walk from the house. Open every night except Tuesdays. Extensive Italian menu, meat and fish with pizzeria (takeaway available). A very popular restaurant, booking is recommended.
Chemist
Post Office - open daily from 08:11 - 13:00
Small shop – haberdashery, gifts, toiletries, cleaning products, toys, linen, children's clothes, and a range of Designer clothes for women.
Bar 'La Ciocca' – licenced bar/cafe serving great cappuccino and fresh pastries, tobacco/cigarettes and newspapers, wifi available Password required - ask proprietor).
Here you can buy bus tickets to get into Lucca. (Biglietto per l'autobus)
Bar/Pizzeria - another bar, open in the afternoons/evenings located next to the post office.
Bakery - providing fresh bread, foccaccia, cakes and some essential groceries. Open mornings only.
Butcher – fresh cuts of quality meat, local supplies ie milk, cheese, cupboard groceries.
Hairdressers - Excellent local hairdresser. Experienced, from wash and blow dry to trendy top stylist cuts and highlights. For a personal, friendly and professional not excluding excellent value for your hair done here just 2 minutes walk from the house.
Barber - Men, you can have yours done too!! By appointment only, ask for Nicola.
Railway Station - The unmanned train station is about a 20 min walk away.
Local Services - A Vegetable mobile van visits the village and stops close to the house twice a week.
Bread van every morning arrives outside the house (around 10am will hoot his horn)
Tuesday Market stalls, and vans every week, selling fresh fruit and veg, flowers, fish, and general groceries in the village square.
LOCATION
There is much to do and explore nearby and further afield. The Village is centrally located for day trips to Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Versillia, Puccini's Torre del Lago, Garfagnana, Sienna, Livorno and the White Sands. For younger members of the family there are enjoyments such as Pinocchio Park, adventure parks, outdoor swimming pool, clubbing etc. For those who enjoy to keep fit, Lucca is famous for its historical walls, where people run, walk, and cycle to keep fit or just to enjoy the beautiful views of the city. On the first weekend of September every year a Medieval Festival is staged in the castle walls and the village within the castle walls is transformed to medieval times, with jesters, jugglers, musicians, street artists, costume, food and wine. In November is the famous Lucca Comics Festival - please contact the owner with regard accommodation prices for these dates.
The Village itself is a very small village with basic amenities and lends itself to wonderful countryside walks, including the pretty Serchio riverside cycle and walkway, which takes you directly into Lucca (7km). Volunteers are often around the Castle to give a knowledgeable tour of the Castle and its history (can be booked with an hours notice, contact me for details).
