Casa Stefano/ Montagne e Mare

Close to Lucca and to the sparkling blue Mediterranean sea of Tuscany, discover this corner of Italian Paradise, perfect for enjoying the pleasure of the Tuscany coast, and exploring Lucca, Pisa, and other Tuscan Towns. The owner, a well-known Architect and Interior designer, is the creator of this elegant home. He has, in fact created an entire Borgo (Hamlet). You will most likely have the pleasure of meeting him, as he will great you upon your arrival. Of course, he is charming, and will be a wealth of information about the Area. This is a hillside home and you will enter the home on the third of its four floors; this is the floor of the garden and terrace. On this floor, you will find a large sitting room with two enormous panoramic windows with beautiful view, and which can be covered by electric curtains. There is a lovely fireplace, five comfortable arm-chairs and a sofa, to invite you to relax.. The spaces are complimented by original paintings and sculptures. There is 3D TV with a CD player and a USB port, for your amusement. There is also a spacious kitchen/dining area with a central island. It is fully equipped with electric oven, microwave oven, 5 ring gas hob, hood, dishwasher and a large fridge with drawers. The kitchen is completely stocked with all types of pots of pans; an expandable table can seat up to 12 guests. The kitchen faces the same communicating fireplace as the sitting room. The terrace can be reached directly from the kitchen and there is a marble table set out in the shade. A staircase leads down to the second floor from the sitting room. The master bedroom is on the second floor and features large, panoramic picture windows, a private bathroom with walk-in shower, double glazing, a wardrobe and electric curtains for privacy. There is a second double bedroom on this floor with two windows, its own fireplace, a private bathroom with a shower and French doors which can be used as a private entrance. The third double bedroom is on the first floor and has an en suite bathroom, and a sitting room with sofa, bookshelves and fireplace. The laundry, and a maid's room is also on this floor. The gardens are pure pleasure. For outdoor living, Italian-style, you will relish the large, paved terrace with its large round dining table and six armchairs plus the cozy sitting area with comfortable chairs and chaise longues. There is another garden terrace with swimming pool and a 2m wide hot water jacuzzi. This terrace is also equipped with sun loungers and chaise longues. Guests are welcome to use the other open spaces in the Borgo, such as the large barbecue area with chairs and table set on a panoramic, covered terrace, the bowling green, the vegetable garden and the cellar housing wines, olive oils and other local products. There is private parking space for one car close to the villa and the possibility of another parking place. NB: There are quite a lot of steps from the parking lot to the main entrance, so is not suitable for those not comfortable with stairs. Experiences, Expeditions and Exploration: Lucca: The birthplace of the Italian opera maestro, Giacomo Puccini, and often voted one of the world's most desirable cities to visit. Famous for its massive 16th century ramparts which encircle the city, restored in the 19th century to create a wide, tree-lined walkway, perfect for a walk or cycle on top of the whole length of the walls for a bird’s eye view to discover the wonders of the town within. The pretty cobbled streets, ancient piazzas, gorgeous churches, glorious renaissance buildings, make this a historical treasure, while markets and countless local restaurants, bars and trattorias, make it the place to be now. Lucca hosts international opera as well as classical music events and rock concerts. Torre del Lago: If you like Opera, you will love the Puccini Festival here.. Every summer, in July and August the Puccini Festival takes place in the open air theater along the bank of peaceful Massaciuccoli Lake. Have dinner first, and watch the sun set over the Opera Stage. An experience to never forget. Pisa: Famous for its leaning tower in Piazza dei Miracoli, Pisa is also home to a multitude of beautiful churches, historical buildings, bridges and medieval palaces. Once you have photographed yourself in various amusing poses by the famous bell tower, take a wander around the 11th century Romanesque-Pisan cathedral, along the banks of the River Arno and then stop for a traditional "cecina", a flat bread made from chick pea flour and stuffed with all sorts of wonderful delicacies. Viareggio: 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. Ride a bike through the Pineta (pine forest). Forte dei Marmi and the Tuscany Coast: The coastline is only a couple of kilometres away. The town is a shopper's fantasyland packed full of avant-garde boutiques. Pietrasanta: Another captivating Medieval town, and now a centre for artists, particularly sculptors, because of its proximity to Carrara and its marble. Explore and enjoy its art galleries, restaurants and little coffee shops for people-watching in the fabulous Piazza Duomo. Getting there: About 45 minutes from Pisa international airport and an hour and a quarter from Florence International airport. It is 15 km from Pietrasanta, less than 20 km from Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi and about 40 km from the centre of both Pisa and Lucca. Free Wifi