Characterful ground floor apartment, with private entrance, in an ancient Tuscan villa with a private courtyard as well as communal gardens. There is also the use of a swimming pool which is currently undergoing some maintenance work. The cost of the pool use is low, as this is shared between the owners.

The property is accessed to an open-plan living room/dining room, a light and airy space with a pellet stove, and there is a lovely fully fitted kitchen, and a good double bedroom with ensuite shower room. Downstairs is a restored vaulted cantina room that is currently used as an extra bedroom and there is also a bathroom on the ground floor. The kitchen opens onto a small balcony, perfect for an aperitivo and 'alfresco' dining and a passageway leads to the private paved garden with lovely views.

The communal gardens are a lovely space to enjoy and in this area is an 'out of ground' swimming pool with decking surround. This is not currently in use, but it is in the process of being restored, and the cost of this will be low as it is shared with the other owners in the building. There is easy car access and private parking and it is an easy walk into the pretty town of Monzone.

There is no condominium fee, only a €20 contribution each month to cover the communal electricity, water supply (for pool) and garden maintenance.

The local town of Monzone has a number of shops and services and, importantly, a train station. There is a good selection of shops, coffee bars and an excellent restaurant. Easy access on good roads. The town of Fivizzano (10km) has a central cobbled piazza and is often referred to as the Florence of Lunigiana. The bustling town hosts many cultural events over the summer with concerts in the piazza and reenactments of medieval parades. With its musical heritage the town also attracts international musicians during its annual music festival. There is a hospital, shops and restaurants in the town. In the other direction, towards the sea, is Fosdinovo (20 km), a walled town dominated by a stunning Malaspina Castle dating back to the fourteenth century. The town is famous for embroidery on precious linen and Pope Francis’s robe was embroidered by the ladies of Fosdinovo. The town overlooks the beaches of the Versilia coast and it is reached by a scenic road which meanders through the olive groves above the market town of Sarzana. Nearby (5 km) is the elegant town of Equi Terme, famous for centuries for the natural warm spring waters, now a spa and wellness retreat with thermal springs, large outdoor swimming pool and a new zip wire, climbing wall and e-bike hire. Excellent mountain trails for walking and biking. Ski resort of Cerreto Laghi in 45 mins, with good skiing over the winter months and also open in the summertime to pick up a chair lift up to wonderful summer walking in the hills.

Lunigiana is a magical part of Tuscany. The rolling landscape is liberally sprinkled with castles of Medici or Malaspina vintage and for lovers of the coast the sea is only 30-40 mins. The golden sandy beaches around Lerici and the pebble coves of the Cinque Terre are ideal for swimming and sailing. The area is criss-crossed with marked footpaths for walks to the hills and mountains. The airports of Pisa, Parma and Genova are all just over an hour away.

Distances: Monzone (trains) just a short stroll, Equi Terme (spa town) 5km, Fivizzano 10km, Aulla (autostrada) 15km, Fosdinovo 20km, Lerici (beaches) 40km, Cinque Terre (UNESCO World Heritage Site) 45km, Lucca 90km, Pisa (airport) 90km, Parma (airport) 100km.