Lunigiana
Tuscany’s Hidden Gem ~ by Bill Breckon
|
|
...
| How
to live the Tuscan lifestyle dream at affordable prices – and have a great
income, too!
Lying in the
very North-west corner of Tuscany and bordered by high mountains and the
sea, Lunigiana feels very different from the rest of Tuscany, not least
because it is not overwhelmed with tourists.
The scenery,
with steep-sided valleys wooded with chestnut and European oak and overlooked
by mountain crags and ruined fortresses, is unexpected and breath-taking,
yet the unspoilt villages and towns of Lunigiana are close to the sea and
the resorts of the Golf of the Poets (where Byron and Shelley stayed) and
less than an hour from the marvellous walled city of Lucca and from Pisa
airport. And the nearby autostrade take you to Florence in less than two
hours.
Lunigiana still
enjoys a true Italian rural lifestyle, with an age-old tradition of hospitality
(the local inns provided shelter and food to the pilgrims and other travellers
who passed through on their way to Rome) and a marvellous cuisine, which
is a fusion of Tuscan, Ligurian and Emilian cooking.
While it is
just becoming discovered by discerning foreigners who want to enjoy Italy
in a truly Italian way, there are still great opportunities to acquire
stunning properties at a fraction of the prices demanded in central Tuscany
and the ‘Chiantishire’ area. And some properties, such as the beautiful
converted watermill complex at Posara, give you the opportunity to ‘live
the dream’, enjoy a true Italian lifestyle and run a successful people-orientated
business as well. |
|
|
|
The
Watermill from walled garden
|
|
|
.
The Watermill
At Posara
Lovingly restored,
the watermill complex stands beside the River Rosaro in the small village
of Posara, a mile or so from the walled medieval town of Fivizzano. Set
in a gentle wooded valley, with mountain peaks in the background, the mill
is a peaceful spot, yet within easy reach of the sea and the tourist attractions
of Tuscany.
Around the
courtyard, an elegant Tuscan house and some of the historic mill buildings,
have been carefully converted into five spacious apartments, all with views
of the gardens and the river. (There is planning permission for a sixth.)
There are sun-filled terraces and, beside the courtyard, millstone tables
under the vines for meals outdoors. The secluded gardens extend for about
a quarter of a mile beside the river and along the millstream.
There’s a bright
and airy artists’ studio and characterful outbuildings, in which the 17th
and 19th century millstones and machinery are still intact.
Posara is a
small friendly village, with ancient houses and narrow alleyways, surrounded
by vineyards and fields of maize and sunflowers.
Fivizzano,
with its imposing defensive walls, was designated a ‘noble town’ by the
Grand Dukes of Tuscany and is the place to enjoy Italian life, with its
cafes, shops and restaurants. Above the town, the scenery becomes spectacular,
with beautiful views over the mountains, olive groves and chestnut forests.
.
|
|
You
can spend days exploring the area by car or on foot: there are miles of
paths through the hills to be walked. But most of the watermill’s many
guests spend much of their time simply relaxing at the mill, sunning themselves
in the garden and enjoying convivial meals in the open air.
Income
While the watermill
is being offered as a private house, the current owners have run a successful
holiday business there for many years. The five apartments are usually
fully let during the season and there are also very successful painting
course weeks at the watermill, with internationally renowned tutors. Many
of the self-catering holidaymakers and painting holiday students return
year after year. Most are British, but there is an international clientele
as well.
Current contacts,
a website (www.watermill.net),
as well as goodwill from guests, suppliers and agents, are also available
with the sale of the property. |
..
The current
owners live in a Scottish castle, also a successful holiday business, which
is occupying much of their time, so they are not visiting Posara as often
as they would wish. But the watermill would be ideal for those who would
like to live in unspoilt Tuscany and make a good income as well. You can
make your home in one of the five (or six) splendid apartments, while renting
out the others for holiday lets and running painting and other courses.
This really
is ‘living the dream’: It is rare to find such an amazing package which
combines a beautiful home with the means of earning a living.
Come and see
for yourself
The owners
of the watermill are offering serious potential buyers a free week staying
in an apartment at the watermill (subject to availability), to give them
an opportunity to get meet you, get a feel for the property, make friends
with locals, shop in Fivizzano, tour the area, etc.
For more details,
please contact Bill Breckon on +44 (0) 1466 751111, or email bill@medialliance.net.
We would be pleased to welcome a reporter/feature writer to the watermill.
.
.
|
