Thank You Italia.tv

Tuscany, Lunigiana: a house for all seasons

Toracca — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 12:27:31 +0000

Renovated house for sale in Lunigiana, northern Tuscany.
The dream is possible! Your home in Italy for less than £ 80,000 …with swimming pool!
Comfortable and affordable

In real time
At www.thankyouitalia.tv you can follow the progress of the restoration work, on a weekly basis, on this lovely property located in northern Tuscany. The house will be sold once work is completed which we foresee will be July 2011 and will include furniture, fenced garden and swimming pool.
Would you like be the owner or part owner with others?

Spring/Summer 2011
The property consists of an old stone house on 2 levels with fenced garden where a pool will be installed. The restoration work will, where possible, include the recycling of the original materials, such as beams and floors, all of caracteristic chestnut wood. The internal layout will be suited to modern living with the demolition and reconstruction of internal partitions in order to achieve the best possible space. The central heating system will be gas fuelled with boiler and radiators. The new electricity system will be installed with traditional external platted wiring as befits the style of an old Tuscan home. The accommodation will consist of kitchen, living room, bedroom and bathroom on the ground floor, and on the first floor, study, en-suite bedroom and further bedroom.
Owned by: Case al Sole s.r.l.
Works manager: Geometra Cardellini Marco
Building contractors: Edil V.L. di Vittori Stefano

A strategic location
The property is on the outskirts of a pretty village in the hills surrounding Fivizzano which is approx. 60/70 minutes drive from the international airports of Pisa, Parma and Genova. The nearest motorway exit is Aulla. The position is excellent, with day long sunshine and exceptional panoramic views. Amazing walks along paths that border the hills, amidst olive trees and secular chestnut groves, are easily reached on foot from the house. Enjoy incredible views of the underlying valleys, the Appennine hills and the Apuan Alps. Fivizzano is just 10 minutes away and offers all manner of services, shops, restaurants, pizzerias, bars and museums. The coast, with the picturesque towns of Lerici, San Terenzo, Tellaro, Portovenere and the beautiful Cinque Terre, as well as the ski resort of Cerreto Laghi, are just 40/50 minutes away. Lucca and Florence can be reached in 50/70 minutes.

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>> FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP
Did you ever dream of having a place in sunny Italy but thought that you could never afford it?
Now that dream can become reality with the Fractional Ownership scheme and your home in Tuscany will cost you only £ 78.000.
We have seen it all before, timeshare, shared ownership, fractional ownership, etc.: all of them very good schemes, but…
In many projects you will have to share the facilities with many other families and your privacy will be reduced to your own unit, and even there you could hear and see other people.
Other schemes offer you the whole property, but often it is a large one suitable for large families or groups of friends and relatives, your privacy is again non existent and you may need another holiday to recover…
What about a family-size house with a garden and swimming pool, at an affordable price, just for you and available for a period well over the average family holiday time? All of ten weeks, or better five fortnights, in fact.
You will have two weeks at the peak of summer (August) for families tied by the school holidays and the other fortnights allowing skiing time, pre Christmas shopping trips, off peak museum visits for Auntie, trekking in spring for Granma and a holiday at the grape harvest time for Granpa.
And we can also offer a superb management service comparable to a very good hotel.
>> THE PROPERTY COULD ALSO BE PURCHASED OUTRIGHT (unfurnished)

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Antica casa in fase di completa ristrutturazione che prevede il rifacimento degli interni e la costruzione di una piscina nel giardino. Le varie fasi della ristrutturazione possono essere seguite, suddivise in puntate, su questa web TV.

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Contact for more information: box@casealsole.com

Tuscany: La Petrognola, spelt beer of Garfagnana

Toracca — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 18:25:04 +0000

Spelt beer is the main product of the traditional brewery La Petrognola, located in the village by the same name in the spendid hills of Alta Garfagnana, in a completely uncontaminated area. Spelt is one of the best known and appreciated cereals in Garfagnana and recognised by the European Union for its quality, having received the I.G.P. (Indication of Geographic Protection). These beers must absolutely be tasted!!

La birra al farro caratterizza la produzione del birrificio artigianale La Petrognola, ubicato nell’omonimo Paese, sulle splendide colline dell’Alta Garfagnana, in una zona assolutamente incontaminata. Il farro è un cereale fra i più conosciuti ed apprezzati in Garfagnana, e riconosciuto nella sua qualità dall’Unione Europea che lo ha marchiato I.G.P. (Indicazione Geografica Protetta). Le birre prodotte devono essere assolutamente assaggiate!!

Birrificio Artigianale
LA PETROGNOLA
Via San Felice, 1b
55035 Piazza al Serchio
Lucca, Tuscany
Tel. +39 0583 605825
info@lapetrognola.com

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Watermill for rent in Tuscany (with swimming pool)

Toracca — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:37:21 +0000

Antique detached watermill bordering a torrent on one side and surrounded by secluded fenced grounds on the other three sides. You can bathe and fish in the crystal clear waters of the natural pools formed by the torrent. Private swimming pool, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, dining room and large living room.

Antico mulino con terreno recintato su tre lati e da un lato confinante direttamente con il torrente. Nel torrente, dalle acque limpidissime, si può fare il bagno in vari laghi che si formano sotto spettacolari cascatelle, ma si può anche pescare. Nel terreno del mulino c’è la piscina. 3 camere, 2 bagni, cucina, sala da pranzo, ampio soggiorno.

For information: info@ildindondio.com

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Lunigiana: Tuscan wine of Quality

Toracca — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 04:44:40 +0000

A truly wholesome wine, but also a very good wine! Girolamo Davi, owner of the agricultural business TERRE di AGNOLO so describes the product of his vineyard in Lunigiana. Girolamo Davi is of Sicilian origin but lived for years in the north of Italy where he worked as a builder in the area of Comasco. One day, some ten years ago, he was totally captivated by the beauty of Lunigiana and in particular by the grandeur of the Apuan Alps, so much so that he decided to purchase a semi abandoned farm, but with the virtue of a spectacular view of the Apuans. He invested in reviving the vineyard and saving the native vines as far as possible and introducing new ones. Love and passion have resulted in excellent red, white and rose wines being produced today. In the video you can see how much care is taken and how simply the wine is produced by this small business. These excellent wines can be purchased directly from the grower, but you can also email or fax for it to be shipped as required.

Soprattutto genuino. Ma anche molto buono! Così descrive il prodotto dei suoi vigneti in Lunigiana Girolamo Davì, proprietario dell’Azienda Agricola TERRE di AGNOLO. Girolamo Davì è di origini siciliane ma è da anni trapiantato nel nord Italia dove opera come costruttore edile nell’area del comasco. Un giorno di una decina di anni fa, rimase ammaliato dalla bellezza della Lunigiana e in particolare dalle maestosità delle Alpi Apuane, tanto che decise di acquistare un podere agricolo in semi-abbandono, ma con la peculiaretà di una spettacolare vista sulle Apuane. Effettuò un investimento economico per riportare in produzione il vigneto salvando il salvabile dell’autoctono e impiantando nuovi vitigni. Amore e passione, hanno permesso di produrre oggi un’ottimo vino rosso, bianco e rosè.
Nel video si può constatare con quanta cura e con quale semplicità viene prodotto il vino nella piccola Azienda Agricola.
Il vino si può acquistare direttamente alla cantina, ma viene spedito ovunque con richiesta e-mail o fax.

Azienda Agricola “TERRE di AGNOLO”
Agnolo di Fivizzano
Massa Carrara
Lunigiana-Tuscany
Tel. +39 348 6908140

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Tuscany, detached property for sale in Lunigiana

Toracca — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 05:02:16 +0000

MAGICAL GROTTO
Sounds idyllic and it is. The private drive to the house leads through woodland and ends in what can only be described as a magical grotto.
A mountain stream tumbling over rocks, creating a small waterfall which feeds a huge pool then continues into a smaller but deeper pool overhung with trees where it is not only possible to swim but also to fish.
A large secluded property with considerable potential that would be possible to occupy almost immediately.
The enchanting position of the house, however, is equalled by the splendid stone built house itself. As I inspected the house, cantinas, taverna and gardens I was overwhelmed by the numerous possibilities.
A wide walkway along the side of the house, with an old stone wall to one side leads you to the gardens and a large impressive tiled and railed terrace. Through a pretty arched doorway is the living room/kitchen with a corridor leading to two good sized bedrooms and the bathroom. One of the bedrooms has a window overlooking the large pool and waterfall and another window the smaller pool. The second bedroom and the sitting room windows look out over the smaller pool and the surrounding woodland also a window in the sitting room overlooks the garden. As this was once a mill there are some unusual features, which include double doors, opening off the corridor.
On opening the doors I found myself looking down on the walkway at the side of the house but because there is the beautiful old stone wall alongside the walkway, facing the house, I immediately decided that here I would install a bridge to connect the upper part of the house to the raised garden opposite that is edged by the wall. On returning to the terrace I found that a gap in the ornate railings would enable me install another bridge enhancing the overall attractiveness of the walkway.
Now the adrenalin was really pumping as I visualised the walkway filled with tubs of flowers and two ornate stone bridges, one from the house and one leading to the terrace that is large enough for furniture for eating outside, relaxing and sunbathing and still have enough room for more tubs and pots of flowers.
The terrace looks out over the large garden, interestingly on different levels, and down on yet another small railed terrace overlooking the small pool. Definitely my type of garden. Spacious and interesting, surrounded by but not overhung with trees the possibilities are limitless. Steps from the terrace lead down to a grassed area that I immediately identified as an ideal lawn leading to the perfect spot for a swimming pool. Being a keen gardener my imagination was feasting on the limitless possibilities the garden offered. However, for those less keen the garden would still be attractive with its abundance of grassed areas on various levels.
After exploring the cantinas, the taverna and kitchen on the ground floor level my head was buzzing with schemes for the house. The taverna is wonderful. Large enough to be a dining room/family room, with a beautiful terracotta coloured tiled floor, I could imagine furnishing it with traditional antique furniture to complement the house. A hatchway from the taverna opens into a kitchen containing a magnificent brick built oven and a pretty terracotta coloured floor. Used in the past to cook bread the oven looked large enough to roast an ox. Trying to be practical and putting aside all thoughts of living off homemade bread and roast ox I decided I would probably remove the oven and open up the room, to provide a spacious kitchen. It wasn’t difficult to imagine it furnished with traditional furniture and shelves filled with gaily-decorated china. I decided, however, that a doorway to the taverna rather than the hatchway would be more practical.
I then considered the problem of getting to the dining room from the living accommodation above and decided that the installation of a staircase down to the taverna from the existing living room would successfully join the two levels.
After looking at the cantinas, I was sure at least one of them would make an ideal third bedroom. The other cantina would provide masses of storage space in addition to the existing storeroom beyond the kitchen.
I was pleased to note that these rooms all had windows overlooking the pools and the woodland and imagined enjoying a meal or lying in bed with the windows flung open and listening to the birds and the sound of the waterfall.
Then I considered the possibility of turning the lower rooms into a holiday let or guest accommodation and realised that too would be a possibility. Turning the kitchen into a bathroom and the taverna into a kitchen/living room and one or both cantinas into bedrooms.
However, I hadn’t finished there was still more to come. Above the walkway, on the same level as the first floor of the main house, but set well back I found a charming but small building. With its own entrance, gardens and terrace of ancient stone it has already been restored. The large airy room has the most fantastic open fireplace and I immediately decided it would certainly stay. The floor of multicoloured large marble tiles, not my taste at all, would definitely be changed. Because of the height of the building and the size of the room, a mezzanine floor for a bedroom and bathroom would be possible turning it into another holiday let or more guest accommodation. However, very little would need to be done to the existing room to make a delightful bed /sitting room for guests, allowing them space and privacy. I found myself as excited about the possibilities of this little dwelling as I was about the main house.
Then I discovered another way to the property giving an opportunity to provide a parking area beyond the small dwelling. A short driveway leads to a main road to a nearby village and by removing a part of the perimeter fence it would be possible to install a place for vehicles.
This is one of the most exciting properties I’ve ever seen. With endless possibilities I would be able to live there comfortably while deciding exactly what I wanted to do and how quickly but I would definitely live in the house for some time before making any decisions. This property could eventually provide an income from one or two holiday lets or simply become a large luxurious dwelling surrounded by fabulous gardens and breathtaking woodland and I couldn’t decide which excited me the most, the spacious house, the wonderful garden or the little dwelling. Certainly the magical grotto was enough to make me want to live there and never leave.
(Review written by Yvonne)

Price for sale: Euro 265.000,00

Contact for more information: box@casealsole.com

La proprietà consiste in una casa su 2 livelli + dependance. Il tutto con 2.230 mq di terreno circostante recintato. La proprietà è ubicata in posizione elevata rispetto al sottostante torrente che forma in modo naturale spettacolari cascate e laghi dove in estate si può tranquillamente nuotare. Nel torrente ci sono pesci che comunemente si trovano nelle acque dolci di questa area, come ciprimidi, anguille e trote.
La casa è in buone condizioni strutturali. Al piano primo c’è un angolo cottura/sala da pranzo, 2 camere e un bagno. Ampia terrazza con accesso diretto al giardino e con vista sui laghi formati dal torrente. Al piano terra c’è una grande taverna che può essere trasformata in una camera da letto con bagno. Sempre al piano terra ci sono 2 cantine + ambiente con forno a legna funzionante adatto per cuocere il pane, pizze e arrosti. Il terreno può ospitare una piscina.

Prezzo richiesto: Euro 265.000,00

Per informazioni: box@casealsole.com

► Focus on Tuscany

Tuscany, local Produce: The bread of Po.

Toracca — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 13:55:51 +0000

Lunigiana, northern Tuscany, it is sometimes possible to imagine that time has passed more slowly than elsewhere: crystal clear torrents, woods of secular chestnut trees and encounters with wild animals only to be found in this area. Here we find individuals with great determination, tenacity and passion who have been able to dynamically and successfully bring the ancient art of bread making into the present. The ancient Po bakery manages to bring us the original smells and tastes of old! You can purchase the bread of Po directly from the producer and enrich the experience by adding cold cuts and local cheeses purchased from the adjoining delicatessen. The Antico Forno a Legna di Po has recently extended the outlets where fresh fragrant bread can be purchased daily. Some of these are:

In Lunigiana, nel nord della Toscana, in luoghi suggestivi e incontaminati, talvolta si può avere la sensazione che il tempo sia trascorso meno velocemente: torrenti dalle acque limpide, boschi di secolari castagneti e incontri con animali allo stato libero che oramai solo in questi luoghi si possono sperare di incontrare. Qui, ci sono persone munite di grande volontà, tenacia e passione, che hanno saputo rivisitare in chiave dinamica e moderna il culto dell’antica panificazione, diventando meritatamente imprenditori di successo. L’Antico Forno a Legna di Po riesce a tramandarci intatte le fragranze, i profumi e i sapori che sono nella memoria del Tempo passato! Il Pane di Po si può acquistare direttamente dal produttore con la possibilità di comprare nel negozio di alimentari annesso anche salumi e formaggi nostrali del circondario. Da qualche anno, l’Antico Forno a Legna di Po ha esteso sul territorio lunigianese i punti vendita dove è possibile trovare il pane ogni giorno, sempre fragrante. Andiamo ad elencarne alcuni:
- xxxxxx

Antico Forno a Legna di Po
Uglianfreddo di Cerri
Fivizzano
Massa Carrara
Tel. +39 0585 949456

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How to cook “focaccette” – Lunigiana (Tuscany)

admin — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 07:06:02 +0000

In this video you can see how ‘focaccette’, a typical speciality of Lunigiana, are cooked. The focacette are made from a dough of corn and wheat flour without yeast, placed on terracotta plates (“testi”) which have been heated on a wood fire and in a few minutes they are ready to be accompanied by sausages, cheeses and much more….

In questo video si possono vedere le fasi di preparazione delle focaccette, una specialità tipica della Lunigiana. Poste su piatti di terracotta, chiamati “testi”, scaldati su fuoco a legna, le focaccette sono fatte di un impasto di farina di grano e farina di granturco. In poco minuti, sono pronte per essere accompagnate da salumi, formaggi e altro ancora…

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Tuscany: village house with land for sale in Lunigiana

Toracca — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:35:16 +0000

House situated in a pretty village surrounded by secular chestnut trees and cristal clear torrents teeming with fish. The property is in good structural condition and enjoys beautiful panoramic views from the 2 large terraces as well as from the garden where it would be possible to build a pool. In the nearby villages there are all manner of services, restaurants, pizzerias, bar. The ski resorts of the Appenine Mountains are as easily reached as the coast.

Casa ubicata in un bel paesino circondato da secolari castagni e pescosi torrenti dalle acque limpide. La proprietà è in buone condizioni strutturali e gode di una bellissima vista panoramica sia dalle 2 ampie terrazze che dal terreno sottostante, dove è possibile la costruzione della piscina. Nelle immediate vicinanze paesi con servizi di ogn genere, ristoranti, pizzerie, bar. Gli Appennini con i campi da sci sono facilmente raggiungibili con lo stesso tempo che serve per il mare.

Price for sale / Prezzo richiesto: Euro 150.000,00

Contact for more information: box@casealsole.com

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Tuscany: Christmas in Equi Terme village

Toracca — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 09:26:45 +0000

Equi Terme is a beautiful village in Lunigiana famous for its thermal waters which spout at a temperature of around 24 degrees and for its grottos where important paleolithic finds have been made and which are open to the public. The surroundings are striking and quite surreal – there are sheer rocks which overhang the village and narrow cobbled streets flanked by the shiny clear waters of the sometimes wild and rushing torrent. During the Christmas period Equi Terme dons its festive dress and you can enjoy its traditional living nativity along the streets and houses of the old medieval quarter …

Equi Terme è uno spettacolare borgo della Lunigiana noto per le sue acque termali cloruro-solfuree che sgorgano intorno ai 24 gradi e per un sistema di grotte carsiche, visitabili dal pubblico, dove sono stati fatti importanti ritrovamenti del paleolitico.
Passeggiando, ci si immerge in uno scenario suggestivo e quasi appartenente ad un mondo fiabesco, fra rocce a picco che sovrastano il borgo e stradine ciottolose costeggiate dal torrente lucido, limpidissimo e talvolta impetuoso, ma sempre indiscusso protagonista. Equi Terme, durante il periodo natalizio, si veste a festa con il tradizionale presepe vivente lungo le vie, le case e le cantine dell’antico borgo medievale…

This is where to stay and enjoy the cuisine of Lunigiana:
Hotel and Restaurant La Posta
Hotel and Restaurant Da Felice
Hotel and Restaurant La Fonte

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House for sale in Ostuni (Puglia)

Toracca — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 18:22:30 +0000

In this video,you can enjoy views of Ostuni which is known as ‘The White City’ due to its all-white houses, and you can enjoy wonderful panoramic views from the typical roof terraces which are a wonderful feature. The property shown is located within the boundary walls of the ancient and charming old town and you can see several views of the interior. From the large roof terrace you can see the olive groves below and in the immediate distance the sea which can be reached in about 10 minutes.

In questo video, si possono ammirare scorci di Ostuni, conosciuta come “La Città Bianca” per le sue case tutte bianche e caratterizzate da terrazze a tetto dalle quali molto spesso di può godere una meravigliosa vista panoramica. Nel video si suggerisce l’acquisto di una di queste tipiche case, ubicata nella cinta muraria perimetrale dell’antico quanto affascinante centro storico. Si possono osservare gli interni e la terrazza, da cui ammirare la sottostante piana degli ulivi e il mare, raggiungibile in auto in circa 10 minuti.