Tuscany, on the western flank of Italy, north of Rome, is one of the most beautiful areas of Europe. Northern Tuscany has castles to the north west, beaches to the west, the towns of Florence and Pisa to the south, with many other smaller towns of mediaeval and Renaissance architecture. North of Lucca, and in the Garfagnana National Park, Vicinato is a farm that has been in the ownership of the same family for about three hundred years.

Built against the hillside in the 18th century, & largely of stone, the lower floor includes an enormous oven and storage. You live on the upper two floors reached directly from the hillside. The house has wonderful views of the mountains and vineyards, and a covered terrace is the perfect spot to sip wine and admire the vineyards, olives and fruit trees, through which you are welcome to wander. The house has been let by us for some years and we have had some appreciative letters about holidays and the restaurants and sights of the area. There is an all purpose shop and bar within walking distance and a large public swimming pool in the village at the bottom of the twisting road. The villages and towns of the area are charming. The nearby village of Molazzana has an all purpose shop, church, alleyways and square. You need a car to travel the area. Then you may visit Barga with its museum, markets, pool and shops, wonderful Lucca, or Pisa, Florence, the small towns of Northern Tuscany with their Mediaeval architecture- or even the seaside which is just over an hour away. Most of our visitors have wanted to return and one or two have claimed the house has given them the best holiday ever. This is a fine old farmhouse in basic Forgotten Houses style, in a beautiful area.

Vicinato is up a twisting mountain road a couple of miles from the town and about 40 minutes from Pisa airport and ten minutes walk from the hamlet shop. It has four main bedrooms and two reception rooms together with a tiled bathroom which has a shower over the very small bath. Renovation works have included relaying the old pantiled roof, and building a large terrace facing south over the valley. The lowest floor, with sealed stone walls, will provide more rooms and works of improvement continue slowly each winter. Windows have been carefully renewed in chestnut. Downstairs the floors are solid tile, with rug covered timber boarding in some rooms. The kitchen has a gas cooker and its own breakfast table. There is a washing machine. The larger of the two sitting rooms has a big fireplace. Although the facilities and decoration are basic, these details and description may not be up to date with all improvements. The owner speaks good English. Local help may also be available and the house and grounds are maintained by the family.

Only available from May to the end of September.