Recently-renovated historic farmhouse and guest house with spacious gardens near the beaches of the Tuscan Riviera. The property sleeps up to 9 adults and children comfortably, with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms (a good fit for up to 2 families). This centuries-old, charmingly-preserved property in the peaceful foothills of Camaiore is an ideal base from which to explore the Tuscan countryside. The main house is on two levels. The 1st floor features a gourmet kitchen, full bath with Japanese soaking tub, living room, study and 2 fireplaces; a master bedroom, bathroom and guest room comprise the 2nd floor. The guest house, which is included in the rental, features a glassed-in veranda with mini-kitchen, a bedroom and bathroom, and a covered veranda (a wonderful place to take meals!). Amenities include wireless internet, a printer/copier/scanner, clothes washer & dryer, a dishwasher, large flat screen TV and satellite receiver. The upper 2/3rds of the 3000 sq. meter terraced gardens are completely enclosed, creating an outdoor retreat where children may safely explore. A BBQ and lounge chairs are available for guests' use. The property is ideally suited for families with babies and children. A portacrib, Stokke high chair, children's dishes and utensils and lots of toys and books are available, and an excellent children's store is 4km away. LOCATION The property is located in the rolling foothills of Camaiore, whose downtown is a 4-minute drive or 20 minute walk. It is a 15 minute drive from the beaches of Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi, 40 minutes from Lucca and Pisa, 1 hour from Florence, 1.5 hours from Cinque Terre and 3.5 hours from Rome. CONNECTIVITY There is reasonably fast wireless internet (15-24 mb/s) via a mesh-based routers for connectivity throughout the property. There are few more enjoyable places on earth to work remotely… laptop on the veranda, a glass of vino, jasmine-scented air and sunshine is as agreeable as it gets. KITCHEN A classic country kitchen with a wood burning fireplace and iron fireback has been gently updated with a Fratelli Onofri 6-burner range and everything you'd need to prepare a Tuscan feast (or a cup of espresso to start the day). Baskets hang from the beams above a bank of luxury appliances set in custom cabinetry with a local Carrara marble worktop. There is a full set of stainless-steel cookware and knives. BATHROOMS The property features three bathrooms, two in the main house and one in the guest house. On the first floor of the main residence, Venetian plaster walls frame reclaimed marble floors and state-of-the-art fixtures. A made-to-measure ofuro, a Japanese soaking tub, complements the large shower. A full bathroom with shower, sink and toilet are in the dressing room off the upstairs master bedroom. BEDROOMS Each bedroom features a European-sized queen bed (larger than their American counterparts). All beds have Magniflex memory-foam mattresses, which are hypoallergenic, non-toxic and supremely comfortable. We use only 100% cotton bedding and down duvets. The master suite features a custom armoire with antique chapel doors, exposed original fresco fragment and antique furnishings. The airy upstairs guest room has windows on three sides, exposed stonework and also offers a convertible daybed with trundle which can be set up as one twin, two, or a king bed, in addition to the queen bed in the room. GRANAIO (GUEST HOUSE) A terrace covered by a wisteria arbor connects the main house to the granaio, the property's former granary which has been converted into a guest house which is a complete living unit ideal for a couple. It features a queen bedroom and enclosed sun porch where you'll find a day kitchen with sink, small refrigerator and microwave. The guest house's compact modern bathroom includes a shower, sink and toilet. A covered veranda extends from the granaio, sheltering a teak dining table for traditional al fresco dining—the ideal place to take meals in the spring, summer and fall. GROUNDS: Fruit-bearing trees include olive, lemon, black and green fig, hazelnut, loquat, pear, persimmon and blackberries. At the base of the property, ample parking is available for multiple cars. Guests will have full access to this gated, fenced property, including the main house, the guest house, and the grounds, for their exclusive use during their rental. Our lovely English-speaking local manager will help get you settled and is available during your stay. Our home is in a hamlet 1.5 km from Camaiore, a historic town renowned for its ideal location at the foot of the Apuan Alps. The Versilia’s famous beaches are less than 10km away. Pietrasanta, Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi, known for wonderful restaurants, art, shopping and night life, are also very close. Camaiore has a central walking street lined with cafes, restaurants, chic shops, and gourmet food stores. Portions of the original fortifications surround the center of town, including the main piazza. Local specialties are sold in fresh pasta shops, pastry shops, and two excellent wine shops where you can try and buy local varietals for several Euros a bottle. The church dates to the 12th century. This fertile valley has long supported grape, olive and foodcrop production, as it does today. Sentieri, or centuries-old footpaths, lead from behind the house to neighboring towns and are ideal for hiking and trail running. LA VERSILIA Our region of Tuscany—the southern seacoast, La Versilia—has been continuously inhabited since the Bronze Age. Italians have been coming here to vacation for centuries, drawn to the warmth, natural beauty (and amazing food and wine!) tra mare e montagne—between the mountains and the sea. In all directions there are lovely drives into the mountains to hidden, tiny and ancient towns, many with excellent and reasonable restaurants. We have our list of favorites, which you will find in the house, along with directions and recommendations on dishes to try. Every road has a local restaurant with a featured regional specialty, from grilled meats to the renowned tordelli of the region. The famous beaches of the Tuscan Riviera are just six miles distant, and nearby Forte dei Marmi offers world-class shopping. Pietrasanta, where Michelangelo carved marble mined from the mountain range that rises above us, remains a primary destination for sculpture. LUCCA AND BEYOND The beautiful walled city of Lucca, capital of the province, is a 30-minute drive. Its encircling medieval walls are completely intact, making a perfect raised vantage from which to circumnavigate the whole city--or sit to enjoy an alfresco lunch and the wonderful views. A Roman amphitheater is now home to cafes, shops and art galleries, and a number of superb restaurants specialize in ancient Tuscan cuisine. Lucca's duomo has some notable sculpture, including the first equestrian statue made in Europe after the Classical period, and the city has other wonderful early examples of ecclesiastical and domestic architecture. Pisa, its famous sights and its convenient airport are 30 minutes away; immortal Florence is an hour by car or train; Siena and the Cinque Terre are easy day trips, with train service available. The quaint and well-preserved city of towers, San Gimignano, and Tuscany’s wine regions are also easy day drives. There is a bus line that runs to within a quarter mile of the property, but we strongly suggest a rental car-- the only way to access the remote and incredible mountain towns, many of them medieval, that dot the hills surrounding the house.