Monte Marlia

About 10km to the northeast of Lucca, the lovely Monte Marlia enjoys far reaching views from its hillside perch, with two magnificent and historic villas clearly visible in the valley below. Set in south-facing gardens, the house has all the Tuscan traditional attributes, from tiled floors to big beams and cheerfully colour-washed walls. To these, a programme of sensitive restoration has added modern amenities, creating a very inviting villa, furnished with flair and a personal touch. On the ground floor, the cosy kitchen/diner is open-plan to a sitting room with plump cushioned sofas and doors to the terrace. An open-tread staircase leads to a second sitting room on the first floor, also with terrace and garden access; and there are three twin bedrooms on this level, each individually designed in pretty country style. Reached via a short flight of steep steps, the master suite occupies the second floor, replete with double bed, shower room, sitting room and kitchenette. And outside, in herb-scented gardens, a ten metre pool is surrounded by sun-trap lawns. Within easy reach of Pisa and Florence, the villa is 40km from beach resorts.