Tuscany: Charming Hilltop House with Pool in a Lovely Wine Village
Stunning Views of the Apuane Alps, 35 Mins from the Seaside
Sleeps 6 (3 Bedrooms)
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La Bella Vista is a classic traditional house completely made of stone located in the heart of Tuscany, close to 3 airports served by Ryan Air. The thick walls and tile and terrazzo floors keep the interior cool in summer and warm in winter. The accommodation consists of entrance foyer, kitchen, sitting room and dining room on the ground floor; three bedrooms (one with balcony), and bath on the first floor; bath (with power shower) and laundry room on the lower floor as well as a terrace and patio. The house, which has central heating and is available year-round, sleeps six and is comfortably furnished. Mountains, valleys and streams surround the area and the elegant beaches of Versilia (Forte dei Marmi, Viareggio) and the Italian Riviera, (Cinque Terre, Portofino) are less than an hour's drive away. A special swimming pool has recently been installed on the terraces of the house. Easy mountain walks begin from the village. Detailed information for excursions provided by proprietor.
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Prices Currency Conversion
| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 13 April 2013 - 25 May 2013 | £850 | 7 | ||
| 25 May 2013 - 1 June 2013 | £895 | 7 | ||
| 1 June 2013 - 29 June 2013 | £945 | 7 | ||
| 29 June 2013 - 27 July 2013 | £1045 | 7 | ||
| 27 July 2013 - 31 August 2013 | £1095 | 7 | ||
| 31 August 2013 - 28 September 2013 | £1045 | 7 | ||
| 28 September 2013 - 26 October 2013 | £895 | 7 | ||
| 26 October 2013 - 30 November 2013 | £850 | 7 |
Notes on prices
Prices are for the property per week in UK pounds.
Changeover day
Arrival and departure is usually on Saturday, but this can be negotiated if bookings allow.
Accommodation
| Bedrooms: | The main bedroom has a king size bed; the second bedroom has two large single beds and balcony with an amazing view of the Appenines; the third bedroom has sturdy adult-size bunk-beds. All of the rooms have fantastic views of the mountains. |
| Bathrooms: | Bathroom on the first floor has bath/shower, basin, wc and bidet and the bathroom on the lower floor has a power shower, basin and wc. Both are fully tiled, floor and walls. |
| Kitchen: | The kitchen is fully-equipped and is separate from the dining room. Large windows provide much natural light in both these rooms. The dining room opens onto the terrace, always sunny and faces the Apuane Mountains. A large window has views to the valley. |
| Utility Room: | The utility room has a clothes washer and dryer for use by tenants and the terrace has a clothes line for quick drying in the Tuscan sun. |
| Living Rooms: | The living room is comfortably furnished with TV, VCR, DVD player and stereo. Files containing maps, timetables, reading lists, excursions, ideas for walks and the names of favourite local restaurants has been organised by the proprietor. Easy parking. |
| Other: | There is a fully-equipped laundry room with clothes washer and dryer as well as facilities for hanging clothes in the sunshine. Sunloungers with cushions are provided and the terrace has a table, chairs and sun umbrella. High speed internet for free use. |
| Cleaning/towels/ linen/maid service: |
Bed linen and towels are included in the rental, but not beach towels. The property is cleaned weekly. |
| Amenities/Facilities: |
private pool (for sole use of guests)
pool heating
hob/stove oven fridge/freezer microwave washing machine tumble dryer iron/ironing board satellite tv internet access central heating |
| Location Type: |
Notes on accommodation
Information containing maps, time-tables, a reading list, possible excursions, suggestions for walks and most important, the names of favourite local restaurants have been organised by the owners for tenants’ convenience. The local restaurants are proud of cuisine of the region, known as Lunigiana, which is healthy, delicious and inexpensive. Parking is just three minutes from the house.
Location
Accessibility
Although the property is built on the side of a hill, parking spaces allows for easy accessibility over a flat surface to the house.
Outside
The front terrace faces the mountains, and is always bathed in sunlight. Several lounge lounge chairs are available to take advantage of this glorious feature of the Italian climate.
A swimming pool with special characteristics has been installed (2008) Though the pool is small, a continuous water stream can be switched on which allows for extended swimming exercise and, of course, cooling off. Children of all ages love it. The pool is shared only with the owners who live next door.
Coast/Beach
Lerici is a seaside town with lovely cafes and restaurants which line the port. From here it's possible to take a daily boat to PortoVenere, the Cinque Terre and all the way to Portofino. Forte dei Marmi, a very fashionable seaside resort, and other beaches on the Versilia Coast can be visited using the autostrade in just 40 minutes from Ceserano. The Cinque Terre is an easy excursion by car or train, less than an hour away. A daily train allows for a pleasant day in Florence without driving.
Golf
Outstanding public golf course at Pisa.
Special interest holidays
World famous Carrara is near with its white marble, the oldest industrial site in the world in continuous use. In Pietrasanta, are numerous showrooms and workshops, where the marble is cut into sheets or sculpted into statues and ornaments. Visitors are welcome. Parco Naturale Delle Alpi Apuane: This mountainous area was designated a nature reserve in 1985. An excursion by boat to all five towns of the Cinque Terre can be made from the nearby seaside town of Lerici. A full day visit to Florence is possible by train leaving nearby Aulla station at 06.27 AM arriving in Florence Santa Maria Novella station at 9 AM. The return leaves Florence at 6 PM. The owners can advise on reservations to the Ufizzi and Accademia ('David') Galleries. Also visits to wineries for purchasing quality wines from Tuscany (Colli di Luna and Chianti) at discount prices. Lively festivals featuring music and local cuisine are everywhere and traditional open-air markets complete this wonderful holiday area.
How to get there
Getting There... Ceserano sits in the centre of a triangle, equidistant from the region's 3 airports: Pisa, Genoa and Parma... each within an hour's drive. These airports are served by the low fares airline, RyanAir, so there is always a practical choice. Car hire is necessary for good connections and each of these airports offer reasonable rates.
Distances
Cinque Terre The fine small fishing villages on the Ligurian coast, only a 40 minute drive from Ceserano. Well known for their simple beauty, absence of motor traffic and precious family - run restaurants. A wonderful hike with a view out over the sea can be made from one Cinque Terre village to the next through the terraced vineyards which produce a wine famous throughout Italy.
St. Terenzo al Mare is the lovely quiet seaside town just next to Lerici. Only 25 minutes from Ceserano.
Further details
Ceserano has a post office, grocery store and cafe. Only 10 minutes away in Pallerone is a bakery, a bank with ATM and an excellent supermarket. The quality of the cuisine in local restaurants of Lunigiana and the low prices astound visitors. A good 3 course lunch with wine can be had for 12 euros (about GBP 7.00). Try the owner's recommendations.
Booking notes
To make a reservation, a £150 (or equivalent) deposit is necessary and final balance is due 8 weeks before arrival. Payment can be made by cheque or electronic transfer (preferred).
Guest comments
We are in love with Ceserano and the entire area. The beauty, the peace, and the warmth of the people . . . we will never forget.
Thomas & Alexandra, Gloucester, Mass USA
Lerici and the boat ride to the Cinque Terre; the outdoor markets in Aulla and Fivizzano; the marble caves at Carrara; and the unforgettable Medieval Fayre at Filetto. love, love, love from Laurie & Michael & family. (Bristol, UK)
Thank you. We found a week of heaven, and our favourite people, the Italians. The view, the food, the wine, the village, a trip to Florence and finally . . . the seaside. Every sense tantalised. You are blessed here, thanks for sharing. The Lewis Family, Luxembourg.
We feel honoured to have enjoyed a glorious week of activities and relaxation here in 'La Bella Vista'. In our opinion, Ceserano is the best and we will get our dates sorted for next year as soon as we get back to London (sigh). Miller Family, London NW6.
Your new pool is sensational, our family had a ball ! Bill
Owner profile
Owners Pat & Joe love the lifestyle in Tuscany
About the owner
Pat and Joe McEvoy have been going to Ceserano, the little wine village in northern Tuscany, for the last 25 summers. The property known as La Bella Vista (originally Casa Miraglia) was purchased from the Grillis, one of the oldest families in the village, in 1989.
Both have had careers in education: Joe as a physicist - formerly on the faculty of Clark University in Worcester MA, USA - and Pat as a school administrator and later counselor at the American School in London.
Pat has engaged in many local activities with the neighbors including the planting of an orta - a vegetable garden - to grow fresh vegetables for her excellent Italian cucina. She has even learned the local dialect. Joe, after retiring from teaching and research in 1981 is now a popular science writer.
Year purchased: 1980's
For booking and further information
Send an enquiry to the owner
Property Ref IT879
Contact Name:
Joe McEvoy
(UNITED KINGDOM) +44 07528580498
Dial 0 only from within UK and not +44
Alternate Contact Details:
(UNITED KINGDOM) +44 02074199707
When contacting the owner please mention that you saw this property on the Owners Direct website.
This advertiser joined Owners Direct in May 2005
and has advertised this property with us since October 2006.