Stunning North Tuscan Detached Villa
Newly Renovated in a Rustic Style. Stunning Views in a traditional Setting
Sleeps 4/7 (2 Bedrooms)
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La Piccola Torre (the small tower) is a tower stone built detached house in the beautiful village of Benabbio in the North Tuscan hills/mountains. The house has been recently renovated using local materials and tradesmen. Furnished in a modern rustic style, this beautiful house provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy traditional Italian living in this welcoming Italian community. The house is full of original features such as cotto floors, chunky beams, wooden shutters and doors. The house is set on three floors, plus a very large and inviting roof terrace with views across the valley and behind to the church and bell tower (lit up at night). Entering through the wooden front doors, downstairs to the right there is a large rustic kitchen with fridge, electric oven, gas hob and there is a dining area in the kitchen which will comfortably seat for 6/7 adults. Also downstairs there is a washing room with wc, sink, washing machine and electric water boiler.
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| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 2 January 2012 - 31 March 2012 | £299 | 4 | ||
| 1 April 2012 - 18 May 2012 | £355 | 4 | ||
| 19 May 2012 - 29 June 2012 | £399 | 4 | ||
| 30 June 2012 - 31 August 2012 | £489 | 7 | ||
| 1 September 2012 - 18 October 2012 | £385 | 4 | ||
| 19 October 2012 - 22 December 2012 | £299 | 4 | ||
| 23 December 2012 - 1 January 2013 | £399 | 4 |
Notes on prices
Late deals are listed where available on the website. Prices quoted in tariff are based on two people sharing the property, a charge of £15 per additional person will be required to cover extra cleaning and washing, all other utilities are included eg water, gas. A £100 - £200 deposit is required on booking (non-refundable). Balance due six weeks before departure plus a refundable breakages deposit that is sent back to you on your return, following agents inspection.
Changeover day
Flexible
Accommodation
| Bedrooms: | Master bedroom has dual aspects and a King size bed. Second bedroom contains a double bed, and views through to the valley. Both bedrooms have traditional cotto floors and wooden window shutters. |
| Bathrooms: | Stylish fully tiled bathroom with toilet, sink, shower bidet and cotto floor. En-suite to both rooms via small corridor. |
| Kitchen: | Large rustic kitchen with fridge, electric oven, gas hob and central heating system. There is a dining area in the kitchen which will comfortably seat 6/7 adults. Remains cool in summer. |
| Utility Room: | Washing room with wc, sink, washing machine, drying rack and electric water boiler. Modern with large beam and fully tiled. |
| Living Rooms: | Spacious lounge area with relaxed seating, a working fireplace, TV with DVD and CD player, the room provides the perfect place to sit and chill out. Chunky beams and cotto floor. Double sofa bed and large single bed/sofa. The room remains cool all summer. |
| Other: | The house has a very unusual staircase made of stone and original marble patterned tiles with wrought iron railings which goes up the three floors to the roof terrace finishing in a bell tower effect with chunky beams. |
| Cleaning/towels/ linen/maid service: |
Linen and towels provided. Property is cleaned and linens changed before arrival and after departure only. Washing machine to wash linens available for guest use. |
| Amenities/Facilities: | hob/stove oven fridge washing machine iron/ironing board tv central heating room fans barbecue |
| Suitability: | pets accepted |
| Location Type: |
Notes on accommodation
La Piccolo Torre is a non-smoking property (smoking is allowed on the roof terrace).
Accessibility
Unfortunately the property is not suitable for people with mobility difficulties due to the three flights of stairs.
Outside
One of the key attractions of this property is the beautiful large roof terrace with views up and down the wooded valley, on a clear day it is even possible to see all the way to the snowy peaks of the Apuan mountains. The terrace is set up for alfresco dining with table and chairs and a large stone barbeque. Sunbeds and large sun umbrella are also provided. The village is stunning and includes 2 shops and 2 restaurants, a new restaurant and a traditional Pizzeria, there is also an outdoor summer bar which has ballroom/latin dancing during July and August all the facilities are within a few minutes walk from the house.
There are many local walks and a regular bus service to Bagni-di-lucca. There are also two local taxi drivers. Parking is not allocated but there are many spaces in the village the furthest being a two minute walk away - all paths are lit,paved and level, it is possible to park 20 seconds away from the house to unload car.
Coast/Beach
The beaches of Fortei Dei Marmi and Viareggio are just 45 minutes away, whilst the picturesque villages of Porto Venere and Lerici with their connections to Shelley, Byron and numerous other poets and artists lie just to the North in Liguria.
Skiing
The ski resort of Abetone is just 50 minutes drive from Benabbio. Abetone offers a wide range of skiing, both above and below the tree line. Abetone is widely regarded as an Italian gem and regularly plays host to the Italian ski team during training season. Abetone is ideal for beginners and intermediates with extensive ski school and nursery facilities and also offers tree-line skiing and plenty of off-piste terrain, season runs from December to April.
Special interest holidays
The location is great for walking, sight seeing and historical interest. Horse riding and white water rafting are offered at a nearby outdoor centre. Details in house (20 mins drive).
Travel
The village of Benabbio is easily accessible by road or by train. Low cost flights to Pisa (50 mins drive) are available from the following UK airports: Bournemouth, Bristol, Coventry, Doncaster, Glasgow, Liverpool, London (Stansted),
Manchester. Alternatively low cost flights to Florence (75 mins drive) are available from London Gatwick. The drive from the airport is a simple run north from Pisa (or west from Florence) on the motorway to the beautiful walled city of Lucca.
Distances
Bagni di Lucca, 6 km. Lucca, 30 km. Please note walking to Bagni-di-lucca is only recommended for the really fit and active due to the altitude of the property. (Down no problem but hard on the knees, up very hard on the lungs!!) Taxis are available from the village and Bagni-di-lucca.
Further details
Cash points, supermarkets and car fuel are all available in Bagni-di-lucca. There is also a variety of shops for gifts, personal shopping etc. The town hosts an amazing period thermal spa offering many treatments and beauty procedures. The town also has a lovely outdoor/indoor swimming pool which has a sunbathing area and beds and serves snacks and drinks, great for kids. Note! Bathing caps must be worn in all public pools in Italy. Available free from pool.
An historic casino museum has just re-opened after national investment and refurbishment (2010) now non operational. Apparently it was the first casino to open in Italy.
Booking notes
£100 deposit is required to confirm the booking. Final balance is due six weeks before departure we also require a £100 returnable breakages/security fee (returned after departure - all being well). Deposit is not returned if booking is cancelled less than six weeks prior to departure. If booking is cancelled less than 3 weeks before departure 50% of total payment is required.
Guest comments
"We would like to thank you very much for our stay in La Piccola Torre - all our family enjoyed it so much! The weather was fantastic, the area beautiful and we have seen so many places... I would say Volterra and Lucca made the biggest impression, but the mountains themself were magnificient and so worth seeing."
Ann and Pete, Just returned from 2 wonderful weeks in Bennabio. We had a brilliant time, we loved the house, the locals , the village, the ice-cream , pasta, wine etc The kids spent a lot of time around at the football field and at the lido in Bagnia and even made some friends."
House swap
House swap considered but skiing, character or older properties preferred please.
Owner profile
About the owner
We are a professional couple in our forties, we enjoy older character properties and after a long search in Tuscany we eventually stumbled upon this unusual house, we loved that the property despite being unusual and unique was still full of traditional Tuscan features and had a history relating back to both world wars. We have tried to create an ambient but traditional style using local materials so please do not expect all mod cons this is not what this house is about. We enjoy creating rooms which promote a feeling of well being and comfort and have quite a lot of experience in minor renovations and refurbishment. This is our little country retreat which we enjoy at least three times a year we really hope you do too.
Year purchased: 2005
Why the owner chose a home in this location
We adore the scenery yet it is still close to amenities such as shops and restaurants, the area is stunning all year.
The village has medieval and recent history connections/stories.
The 15th Century church above the village is currently being excavated and you are able to visit and discuss the finds with the present archeologists. They have found many skeletons with a link possibly to plague.
The view to the mountains from the top of the village is to die for!
We enjoy the sense of belonging to a small community and being in real Italy rather than a manufactured tourist environment.
We love having the opportunity to get to know the locals and practice our Italian.
There is nothing modern for miles!
Unique benefits of the property
Walking - we are in beautiful wooded valleys with rivers running through them in minutes.
Horse riding - there is a trekking centre 10 mins drive from the house (western style) the treks even go through the village itself.
Lucca is an amazing walled medieval city with many tourist attractions, restaurants etc, hire bikes and ride around the whole city on top of the walls taking a detour down any of the narrow streets or along the canals or wherever you fancy!! Lucca is a 40 min drive from the house.
Barga is another favourite place to visit - a medieval hilltop village famous for its inhabitant artists and views.
Skiing in Abetone which we do every year without fail - about 55 mins drive with 60 km of varied piste and best of all no queue's even in peak season.
Amazing caves
For booking and further information
Property Ref IT502
Contact Name:
Ann Trigg
(UNITED KINGDOM) +44 01453884564
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Property Ref IT502
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