Magnificent villa on a sunny hillside overlooking the Bay of the Poets at Arcola, close to the Cinque Terre and the stunning Ligurian coastline.

The detached villa (308 sqm) sits in a prime location and is approached through a private, gated driveway to covered parking for 3/4 cars. The generous accommodation comprises five bedrooms and five bathrooms and ample living space and it is arranged on two levels.

On the ground floor, the house is entered into a large living room, which is light and airy; this connects through an arch to the nicely fitted kitchen with breakfast bar and seating, with a feature fireplace in the corner and this connects to a large dining area with full glass, open onto a covered terrace for 'al fresco' dining. Double bedroom with bathroom. Additional cloakroom (WC).

Up the sturdy, stone staircase there are three large double bedrooms, one of which opens onto a covered terrace, and two bathrooms. In addition there is a guest unit or 'taverna'. This comprises an open-plan room with little kitchen, bathroom and storeroom.

There is a wonderful connection between the inside and outside space and the garden is superb. The land is around 3,500 sqm (close to an acre) and has an olive grove, fruit orchard, lawns and a pergola. There is an 'out of ground' swimming pool of 8m x 4m. There are also stables for the currently resident horses, and a wood-store.

An easy walk to the station and a short hop on the train takes you to the Cinque Terre within just a few minutes.

The Gulf of the Poets is a Mediterranean bay with a group of three islands at its tip, Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto, where, together with the larger Portovenere, there are opportunities for sailing, canoeing, snorkelling or just relaxing on one of the many beautiful beaches. The easiest way to get around the gulf is by boat which run between Lerici, La Spezia and Portovenere and further on to The Cinque Terre. The Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World heritage site, comprising five little villages, clinging to the sea cliffs, full of excellent seafood restaurants and with excellent beach swimming where it is fun to meander along the clifftop paths from one village to the next. The name Gulf of the Poets is from the literary connection as some of the world’s most famous poets, including Shelley, Byron and D H Lawrence, all lived here at some time.

Sarzana, just a 10 minutes drive, is a vibrant medieval market town with large elegant central piazza and cobbled lanes meandering through the town flanked with coffee shops and antique stores. During the summer months Sarzana often hosts festivals, concerts and open-air events staged in the piazzas and along the narrow, cobbled lanes. On summer evenings there is a local craft/ antique market which fills the whole town and is a joy to wander through in a welcoming atmosphere. The central castle has a number of exhibitions and events, and it too is open on summer evenings. Sarzana also has a train station with direct trains to Pisa, Florence, the Cinque Terre and Genova.

Distances: La Spezia (trains, supermarkets) 5 km, Baia Blue (beaches and marina) 7 km, Sarzana 8 km, Cinque Terre 20 km, Forte dei Marmi 40 km, Lucca 70 km, Pisa (airport) 80 km, Florence 130 km.