Montemarcello is a splendid little village of ancient origins, and is part of a list of "The most beautiful villages in Italy". It sits on a green promontory, covered in mediterranean scrub, in what is surely one of the most attractive spots along the ligurian coast, right on the border with Tuscany. And here you certainly enjoy the broadest and best panoramas of the area: the eastern part is framed by the Apuan Alps, with the typical white stripes of the marble quarries, then there's the versilian coast with the mouth of the river Magra, and all around is open sea, where you can glimpse the island of Gorgona and even Corsica on a clear day, then towards the west is the Gulf of La Spezia (the famous Gulf of Poets) with the promontory of Portovenere and the islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto, where the sun sets. The 2 properties offered here are just 5 minutes from the village of Montemarcello and are part of a large estate with Torre at its heart (the tower), which goes back to around 1200. It was originally a Saracen look-out tower and in the second half of the last century, after centuries of neglect, it was restored with love and care by the owners, when they combined it with the small farm buildings round it, making their holiday home here. Casa Azzurra, which is part of a typical ligurian stone house, is just a short distance from Torre: it can also be reached on foot along a paved road starting at the village (100 metres): it has a nice private garden with a wood-burning oven and a splendid view of the Gulf of La Spezia. Casa Gialla, a small cottage suitable for a couple, lies on a terracing further down than Casa Azzurra and is surrounded by olives and encircled by jasmine bushes. Both houses have the use of an enchanting swimming-pool (7 x 15 m) shared with the owners, surrounded by vegetation and with a magificent view of the Gulf of Poets, which can be reached along a path crossing terracings covered in olive trees (2 minutes walk). The properties have been recently renovated with care and tastefully furnished with modern, comfortable pieces (flat screen TV, Ipod-desk and hair dryer) and each one has its own furnished outside space. The car is parked, after dropping off your luggage, in a free public parking area outside the property gates (100 metres). Montemarcello lies at the heart of a nature park, so it's ideal for walkers, with paths that reach isolated beaches and attractive little villages. From the harbour of Bocca di Magra (5 kms), there are ferries available with take you to Cinque Terre, Lerici, Portovenere and to the pebble beaches in the area.
