Location and Surrounding Area. Villa Garofano lies in one of Tuscany's most enviable positions, snuggled into the picturesque rolling hills yet only a reasonable drive from the exclusive beach resorts around Viareggio. This property would make an ideal destination for a large group of family or friends wishing to emerge themselves in authentic Italian culture close to some of the country's finest coastal resorts. One of your first stops after a long trip is likely to be a relaxing afternoon at the Montecatini thermal baths, which have been soothing various ailments since Roman times. You'll find plenty of restaurants plus all of the other services you might need during your stay. There is also a fabulous panoramic funicolare ride in two pretty red trains up the hill to the beautiful Montecatini Alto village with breathtaking views of the Valdinievole Valley. This valley was the birthplace of both Leonardo Da Vinci and the popular marionette Pinocchio.
Medieval Pistoia is a relatively unknown Tuscan jewel and its architecture begs to be discovered. Take a wander around the central Piazza del Duomo and climb to the top of the Bell Tower from where, on a very clear day, you can make out Florence's Duomo in the distance. During the late medieval and Renaissance times, the city was well known for its feuding and fighting. Dante even went as far as to condemn the feisty inhabitants as “the enemies of heaven”. On a related note, although some scholars dispute the fact, local legend has it that the earliest pistols were invented in Pistoia in the early 1500s by Caminellio Vitelli. Pistolese (literally meaning “from Pistoia”) was an interchangeable Italian word used to describe both a handheld firearm and a double-edged, hunting dagger.
Viareggio is a popular seaside town, home to the famous carnival parade and a whole host of summer events such as the Puccini Festival, the Jazz Festival as well as various theatre productions. The area is famous not only for its fine food and wine but also the Versilia coastline and its fashionable resorts and celebrity beach clubs. The gently-sloping, sandy shelf makes the beaches safe for small children. Nearby Forte dei Marmi is a shopper's dream with its avant-garde boutiques, designer shops and exclusive restaurants.
Lucca has often been voted one of the world's most desirable cities to live in or visit. It is perhaps most famous for it's thick, 16th century ramparts which encircle the city and were restored in the 19th century to create a wide, tree-lined walkway. You can walk or cycle on top of the whole length of the walls and peep down into the wonders of the town within. There are pretty cobbled streets, ancient piazzas, gorgeous churches, glorious renaissance buildings, markets and countless local restaurants, bars and trattorias. The Italian opera maestro, Giacomo Puccini, was born here and the town often hosts international opera as well as classical music events and rock concerts.
Florence is the capital city of Tuscany and an art-lover's paradise. It was the centre of the Italian Renaissance movement and the museums, galleries, palaces and churches house some of the world's greatest artistic treasures. The Bell Tower next to the cathedral was designed by Giotto and the climb up its 414 steps is well worth the effort for the astounding view from the top over Florence and the surrounding hills. The Uffizi, Bargello, Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens and the Accademia have to been seen and once you tire of art and history, take a wander through the pretty streets and across the Ponte Vecchio bridge which spans the River Arno. Florence is also home to designer shopping and fine wine and dining experiences. Thick, juicy Florentine steaks are a local speciality and best accompanied by a delicious, local Chianti wine.
Villa Garofano is only a couple of minute's drive from Montecatini Alto, Pistoia is 20 minutes away, Lucca half an hour, Viareggio 45 minutes and Florence less than an hour. Your nearest international airport would be Florence airport, which is about half an hour from the villa. Pisa international airport is about 45 minutes.
The Property. This superb property was fully renovated in 2021and you'll find the new furniture and exquisite interior and exterior designs absolutely delightful. The property comfortably sleeps up to 12 guests plus four children if necessary. There are five double bedrooms with en suite bathroom in the main villa and a sixth double bedroom plus en suite in the two-floor, adjacent cottage. All of the bedrooms have queen sized beds, Wi-Fi, a smart TV, a bluetooth sound system and air conditioning, plus five of them have underfloor heating. Two of the bedrooms are on the ground floor of the main house and three are on the first floor. The cottage offers a double bedroom on the first floor and a kitchen and sitting room on the ground floor.
The open plan kitchen/diner in the main villa is a lovely, bright, airy space with professional standard appliances and a useful island station for preparing wonderful Tuscan delicacies. The wooden beams give a country feel and French windows lead out onto the garden. The sitting room has a cozy fireplace for winter evenings and long conversations with a glass of award-winning wine.
Most of your time will probably be spent outside in the spacious swimming pool, rinsing off under the outdoor shower, soaking up the sun on the furnished poolside area, relaxing in the six-person jacuzzi or cooking up some scrumptious burgers on the barbecue. There is a handy kitchen area by the outside dining table under a shady pergola. The gardens, pool and outdoor dining area are all floodlit to maximise the fun on lovely, summer evenings.
Main villa
Cottage
| * Please note: the included amenities may vary according to final agreement, make sure to check your contract for complete list. |
