TUSCANY - Beautiful Stone Property with Pool & superb views, set in a Hill village with a Bar/Restaurant.

La Taverna is a very special garden apartment. Completely made of stone it seems as though it is carved out of the rock. Ideal as a romantic hideaway. There is room for a child as well, and it is also great for two couples.
There are 2 large rooms, the living area and the bedroom, both having golden stone walls and beamed ceilings. Both have glass french doors leading directly to the garden. There is a separate bathroom, with a large, pleasurable shower, and a storage area behind the bedroom, with drawers and hanging for your clothes. Also, at the end of the bedroom is a large spa bath.
Near the large glass doors at the front is the kitchen area, with an old marble sink, and marble worktop.
There is a dining area nearby, with a marble table and four chairs.
Outside the living room is a walled stone courtyard where you will spend a lot of your time - eating and sipping drinks. Leading out from the bedroom is a private lawned area, shaded by hazel trees.
Over the wall from this private garden is a communal pool area with an inviting swimming pool set in lawns. The pool is shared with just three other properties, all English owned, on a south facing hillside with wonderful views across the valley to the hills beyond. The four properties in the complex date from the 1600's, and were restored from virtual ruins about 10 years ago.

Situated in a small farming community with a bar and restaurant. No cars pass by, only the cows! Experience Italian village life - verdant hills for walking, crystal clear river pool and you can still dine out for €10 including wine & coffee.

Lunigiana is a beautiful area of Tuscany, much less busy and developed that the central region, even in August. It is in the hills between the Ligurian coast and the Apennines.
The food in the restaurants tends to be local dishes and is of a generally higher standard than many in the more touristy areas, but with significantly lower prices.
Lunigiana is described variously as the Land of 100 Lakes, or the Land of 100 Castles. Both of which are nearly true.

It is made up of 3 river valleys, converging at Aulla, where the autostrada access is. Travelling up the valleys is straightforward, but going across fro one to the other is more time-consuming, but very rewarding in terms of the spectacular views.
It is only a hour from Pisa airport - an easy drive up the coastal autostrada.
Prota is thriving village 500 metres up in the hills, with magnificent views across the valley below. There is a bar and restaurant in the village - Trattoria Federici - now run by Guido Federici's daughter Silvia. The food is excellent, and can be busy on Sundays especially.
There are walking paths marked which lead across the hills to other villages and deep into the mountains.
All parking is in the main piazza, or the road up to it, so the narrow streets are free from traffic, apart from the occasional cow or pig.
The properties are looked after by the Vianelli family - Fabrizio, Paola and their children, who live in the upper part of the village. The are very capable and take care of everything on site.