VILLA NOBILE

Villa Nobile – Ponte a Moriano - Tuscany

6 Bedrooms – Pool

Location and Surrounding Area. Villa Nobile was once upon a time a 17th century convent and has recently been refurbished to create an amazing Tuscan home with spectacular views out across the rolling hills.

The pretty hamlet of San Lorenzo is within easy walking distance of the villa and offers all of the necessary shops; local fresh fruit and veg, a bakery, a butcher and a newsagent. Another nearby village, Marlia, has banks, chemists', bars and a wider range of shops.

Lucca has often been voted one of the world's most desirable cities to live in or visit. It is perhaps most famous for its 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 discover 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. Lucca was the birthplace of the Italian opera maestro, Giacomo Puccini 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-lovers 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 cathedral, baptistry, 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.

For sporty types, there is horse-riding in Marlia (2 km), a 9-hole golf course in Vicopelago (9 km) and an 18-hole golf course at Versilia Golf Club near Forte dei Marmi, which is only a half hour drive away. There are thermal spas at the Montecatini Termi and tennis and a shooting range in Lucca (6 km). The international airports of Florence and Pisa are both less than an hour's drive from Villa Nobile.

The Property. Villa Nobile sleeps up to 12 guests in six marvellous double bedrooms. The master double suite is on the first floor and in addition to the suite's air-conditioned bedroom, there is a cozy sitting room with TV, a private terrace, dressing room and a luxurious en suite bathroom complete with a Jacuzzi. There is a second air-conditioned double bedroom with dressing room and en suite bathroom with marble shower on the first floor.

The other four double bedrooms are on the second floor where there is also a further sitting room with a fireplace and TV, a dining area and a convenient kitchen area for midnight snacks. All four bedrooms are air-conditioned, one has an en suite bathroom and the other three bedrooms share two bathrooms.

The ground floor features a magnificent sitting room with well-filled bookshelves and a TV area. The elegant French windows lead out from the sitting room to the gardens for magical evenings under the stars. The large, formal dining room has an open fireplace and easily seats 12 guests. As an added bonus, the spacious, veranda dining areas are perfect for al fresco summer dining. The kitchen is stylishly Tuscan and is equipped with everything an enthusiastic chef might need. The kitchen also has access to the gardens. There is also a useful laundry and an extra bathroom on the ground floor.

The beautifully laid out gardens have been mentioned in Fine Arts. The large swimming pool has a lovely poolside area with umbrellas and sun loungers. The gardens have everything one might need for outside dining too; wood-fired pizza oven, barbecue, kitchen area, dining table and comfortable sofas. There is even a table tennis table and a private gym for strenuous after-dinner exercise. Guests are free to use the private chapel.

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