San Giuseppe is semi-detached, the adjoining house is a private holiday home, not let. We have separate drives, gardens and entrances. The house walls are stone and very thick: keeps cool even on hottest days. There are two terraces and a large flat garden, private pool, privacy-fenced and gated - very secure for children. Parents can relax because of the above-ground swimming pool, out of bounds when you want it to be. The views are across and along the wooded valley, adjoining the Garfagnana National Park. The property is not over-looked by any others and is completely private: peaceful and romantic. Because it is not near a city the night sky is amazing. Watch the fire-flies dance across the garden!
The key feature of the property is the outstanding natural beauty surrounding it and the large, private gardens to relax and play. It is secluded but not too remote, there are houses dotted all around the hillside, and a famous blacksmith further along the lane
Bathrooms:2 Bathrooms
Bathroom 1 - Toilet, Shower Enclosure
Bathroom 2 - Toilet, Shower Enclosure, Bidet, Accessed from outside
The first bathroom is off the landing. Recently fitted, fully tiled with shower, basin and WC and good lighting. Because of the low ceiling, guests over 6' tall would find the lower bathroom shower more comfortable. The second bathroom is accessed from the lower terrace, close to the pool, and is also fully tiled with basin, WC, bidet and large shower space. The inflatable paddling pool can be used in here as a bath for infants.
Bedrooms:2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 7
Bedroom 1 - 1 Extra Lg. Double Bed
Bedroom 2 - 2 Single Beds
Mezzanine - 2 Single Beds, 1 Cot
Bedroom 1 with king-size bed, bed-side tables, drawers, towel / hanging rail. Over-looks the hill side, no view. Bedroom 2 with twin single beds, bed-side tables, drawers, towel / hanging rail. View across garden & valley. The large landing / mezzanine can be used as a 3rd bedroom: with 1 single framed day-bed & 1 roll-out full-size single bed. The wardrobe is in this room. View across garden & valley. A cot (with bedding) a stairs safety-gate and a high-chair are all available, free of charge, unless the child is the 7th guest, in which case we charge £50 per week, minimum £35 for part-week. The lower bathroom is accessed from the garden and there is also a fridge, washing machine and sink.
The kitchen has an original large open fire-place, but the rest has been re-fitted: units with local granite tops, gas oven, dish-washer, fridge-freezer, and a butcher's block. Well-equipped and well-lit, it is separate from the sitting/dining room The laundry is accessed from the lower terrace over-looking the main garden and pool. An automatic washer, old stone sink, and a fridge for pool-side drinks are in here. The second bathroom is off this room. The large porch has an original pizza oven with a wood store. Entrance is to the sitting/dining room, which has a sofa, a comfortable double sofa-bed, table & chairs. TV (for DVDs only), stereo system, coffee table. Windows at both ends; lovely cool room The sitting room door leads in to the kitchen; there is a door from the kitchen to the stairs. The large landing, with 2 windows, can be used as another sitting room or bedroom. The 2 bedrooms and bathroom are off the landing.
Notes on prices:Prices are for the property per week in UK Pounds, for up to 6 people.
An infant using the cot as the 7th guest: £50 p.w. (£35 minim
Lucca Province Area Information
Our house is in the hills about 20 minutes drive north-west of Lucca, between Diecimo (near Borgo a Mozzano) and Pescaglia. It is a good, wide and gently rising road, NOT a mountain road to this point. The property is off the main road along a tarmac woodland road, very quiet, about a mile from the village of PIEGAIO where there is a very good restaurant, bar, basic grocery shop, pharmacy and post office. There is a railway station in Diecimo (10 minutes) with good links to Lucca and Pisa, a bank, petrol station, restaurants and shops. Borgo a Mozzano is the nearest town, 15 minutes drive, with all amenities and the historic Devil's Bridge. The coast is a scenic 45 minute drive. The Garfagnana Park is very close. Getting to the house is easy: from Pisa airport you join the motorway directly from the airport and exit at Lucca, follow the main route through Lucca and along the valley to Diecimo, then 10 minutes into the hills. It takes 60 - 90 minutes, depending on traffic
Famous blacksmith: Just 100 meters along the lane beyond our house is a famous blacksmith. Carlo Galgani, last member of a long line of blacksmiths of Lucca, forges steel by hand with the help of the mighty 'hammer', moved by the cascading water, properly channeled from the nearby stream Pedogna. Water also powers the generator for lighting and other machinery. The rush of air caused by cascading water is used as bellows for the furnace. He is one of only two traditional blacksmiths using water power remaining in Italy. He normally works on week day mornings and welcomes visitors. He sells his high quality knives, kitchen and garden tools, etc. (He is more interested in demonstrating than selling things). Type his name into Google to see videos on You Tube.
Fun way to see Lucca: Bicycles are for hire at the Porta S. Maria gate in Lucca. You can safely ride around the walls, no cars allowed, and get great v
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