Our Italian cottage is located in Luscignano, a pretty medieval hamlet with stunning views over the Apuan Mountains on the edge of beautiful Tuscany.
The house is built on two levels and is fully equipped for your comfort. It is comprised of an entrance hall, two bedrooms and bathroom on the ground floor; a further hall, dining/sitting room, kitchen and balcony on the first floor. The cottage is fully centrally heated for your enjoyment in autumn and winter.
The balcony is the perfect spot to have breakfast or to enjoy a glass of wine late in the afternoon or evening (table and chairs are provided). You can look down the valley across the olive groves where the locals can be seen working their land.
Adjacent to the front door is a small terraced area, where it is also particularly pleasant to sit and observe and be warmly greeted by villagers engaged in the Italian tradition of passeggiata (a gentle stroll through the streets of the old village).
DINING/LOUNGE ROOM:
To maximise on the stunning vista open to doors to the balcony and you can look out over the green hills of Tuscany. In the dining/lounge room you can comfortably relax on two chairs and a sofa. There is also table and chairs for 4 people where you can sit down and enjoy your freshly home cooked Italian meal. To unwind there is a flat-screen TV, DVD player and radio/CD player. There is also a small library of books and a collection of DVDs.
KITCHEN:
The eat-in kitchen is stocked with a complete range of cooking utensils and crockery, oven, refrigerator a table and 4 chairs.
MAIN BEDROOM:
The entrance hall on the lower floor takes you to the main bedroom which contains a very comfortable double bed, two storage units, and overlooks the valley.
SECOND BEDROOM:
Also on the lower floor, the second bedroom is furnished with a double bunk, a cupboard and again a beautiful valley view.
BATHROOM:
Located on the lower floor the bathroom contains shower, toilet and basin as well as a washing machine.
EXTERIOR SPACES:
Adjacent to the front door is a small terraced area, where you can feel the local life as you sit, observe and be warmly greeted by villagers engaged in the Italian tradition of passeggiata. On the other side of the house is the balcony overlooking the valley with olive groves and vines. It is the perfect place to sit in the afternoon or morning sun to enjoy your breakfast or an evening glass of wine.
QUIRKY FEATURES:
Our cottage forms part of the wall of the village of Luscignano and while this affords us wonderful views it also creates some interesting features in the cottage. A narrow spiral staircase provides access between the ground and lower ground floor but guests who find this a little too challenging can move between floors via the outside doors.
Glow worms dot the gardens and woodland adjacent to the village wall and fire flies flit along the walls at night creating an illusion of fairy lights. This is lovely to witness from the balcony. The occasional deer can sometimes be seen from the balcony in the evening.
Listen for the church bells ringing out over the valley. Each village has its own bells (generally rung on the hour) and its own special tune played at midday and 6pm to summon its workers back from the fields. Luscignano plays it tune at 8pm. We have not been able to identify why – perhaps our villagers worked longer and harder.
COMMUNICATIONS:
There is no phone in the house, however there is mobile phone coverage in the village. Wireless internet access is available at the cottage free of charge and public if you bring your own computer. Public internet access is available at the Bar Miro at Gragnola & Caffe degli Astri, Aulla
HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES:
TV: There is not TV, as reception is not available,
DVD player and assorted DVD's,
Open Fire with wood provided and even a chestnut cooker,
Hot Plates & Oven: Gas Operated,
Washing Machine.
Electric Heaters/Fan.
NB: Instruction brochures for all appliances are provided.
HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES:
Tea, coffee, toilet paper, garbage bags, dish washing liquid, matches and candles provided on the basis of replenish what is used. There is a small supermarket located in the square in Casola and larger supermarkets in Aulla and Fivvizano. These are located on the map you will find in the back of an information folder on arrival. All linen needs are provided at the cottage free of charge.
