3 bedrooms house, 110 m²

Podenzana, Massa-Carrara (province)

Lunigiana

Detached villa with a panoramic view of the countryside towards the sea, on two levels. Magnificent location. Some work required.

On the ground floor is a living room with fireplace, kitchen and a cloakroom (with WC). A veranda leads to the garage and cantina (storeroom). Upstairs are three double bedrooms (one is currently used as a kitchen), with lovely balcony and views to the sea and also the main bathroom with bath. The land surrounds the house, and below the house is an olive grove in production, in all around 2,600 sqm (about two-thirds of an acre). Private parking and garage.

The area of Podenzana is a series of villages strung along the hills and ridges above the town of Aulla and stretching down towards the sea and the pretty town Ceparana. Podenzana is famous for the 'panigacci' and there are numerous local restaurants offering this speciality. 'Panigacci' are crisp pancakes cooked in terracotta dishes over the embers of an open fire and served in baskets with trays of cream cheese and assorted salami, Parma ham and pancetta. Sandwich them together and eat with your fingers, whilst sipping the local red wine. Simply delicious.

The Cinque Terre are five picturesque villages strung along the narrow coastline north of the Gulf of the Poets and La Spezia with pretty coves, beaches. They are accessed on foot, by boat or with the local train which shuttles between the villages. Anyone visiting the Cinque Terre should take a walk along the cliff paths which link one village to the next, stop in one of the bars or restaurants and try the anchovies marinated in olive oil and garlic, served with fresh bread and delicate white wine made from the grapes which grow in spectacular fashion, up the steep terraces above the villages. The Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Gulf of the Poets is an enclave with a group of three islands at its tip, with fishing villages with exceptional fish restaurants, as well as opportunities for sailing, canoeing, snorkelling or just relaxing on one the beaches hidden in craggy bays around Fiascherino or Tellaro. The easiest way to get around the gulf is by boat and services run from Lerici, La Spezia, Portovenere and on to The Cinque Terre. The name Gulf of the Poets is from the literary connection as some of the world's most famous poets lived here at one time, including Shelley, Byron and D H Lawrence.

Distances: Aulla (autostrada, train station) 10km, La Spezia (sailing, shopping, autostrada, trains) 20km, San Terenzo (beaches) 22 km, Cinque Terre 35 km, Lucca 80 km, Pisa (airport) 90 km, Florence 150 km.