Elegant Tuscan Stone Country House, Sleeps 8-10

Stunning three-story stone farmhouse twenty minutes north of Lucca, with spectacular panoramic views of vineyard-covered hillsides, farmhouses, charming villages, and the Appenine and Apuan Mountains. Ideally situated, with easy day trips to Florence, Cinque Terre, Forte dei Marmi, and Pisa. Outdoor pizza oven, BBQ, stone fireplace, and expansive terrace with dining area and cocktail patio. A stately and spacious oasis in the Tuscan countryside. A working chestnut farm into the late 1980s, Casa nella Selva still has its original chestnut beams, and is elegantly and comfortably furnished with a mix of period and country pieces, including many original to the house. There are restored terracotta floors throughout, beautiful wooden windows and shutters, and a gorgeous large restored hayloft to read and drink wine when it gets chilly. In spring, summer, and early fall, guests spend most of their time on the plant-lined terrace, which runs the length of the house, and includes a large stone table for outdoor dining shaded by a rose and grape-leaf pergola. There's also a vine-covered stone shade room for sitting outdoors at midday. The house is large, free standing, private, and rentable to a single party at a time, for a minimum of three days. It is a true hillside oasis, perfect for honeymoons, family retreats and reunions, and vacations with 2-4 couples (Pack and Play, stroller and high chair available). There is parking for two cars, linens and table service for 8, washing machine, dishwasher, fans, etc. All amenities are accessible to guests. Owner will not be present. Interaction is limited to providing information and ensuring that the house is ready for occupancy. Professional cleaning is done by trusted local staff between all guest visits. Owner is fully bilingual and a native English speaker, and has 20 years experience renting to satisfied travelers from the United States, England, Germany and Scandinavia, and access to a wide and reliable group of service people in the Lucca area. She will respond directly to any questions or emergencies, and has local staff on hand to help with any issues that might arise. Borgo a Mozzano is a quiet town in the Serchio Valley, renowned for the local Devil's Bridge, a perfect place to live for a week or two as a local, buying fresh fruit and vegetables at the weekly market (there are several others in nearby towns), sausage from the local butcher, cheese and wine from local sheep and local vineyards, with several excellent authentic restaurants for a delicious meal with excellent local wine. The Lucca region is one of the last parts of Tuscany to be discovered by tourists, and is anchored by two especially beautiful cities: Lucca itself, enclosed within its perfectly preserved 17th century wall, and Barga, whose narrow winding streets lined with ochre, persimmon, or apricot colored houses lead to a spectacular 12th century cathedral of white stone that looks out over the Apuan Alps, and the Garfagnana, the wild, mountainous northern corner of Tuscany and one of the most popular areas for hiking and skiing in Italy. In between is the spa town of Bagni di Lucca, 15 minutes from Borgo, where everyone from Queen Victoria to Byron to Goethe came to take the waters in the 19th century. There are several buses and trains to and from Lucca and to the north daily. By car, it's 35 minutes to Lucca; 1 1/2 to Florence, Carrara, and Cinque Terre; 1` to Pisa or Forte dei Marmi, 2 1/2 to Siena. Pisa airport is one hour from the house, Florence airport 1 1/2. Please contact owner for all other questions.