Villa Eleonora lies at the heart of the valley called Valdinievole, between Pistoia and Lucca, surrounded by the hills dropping down from the Appenines, with its many medieval villages perched high up dominating the valley and with the most famous thermal spring centre in Tuscany at Montecatini Terme with its curative waters, and Monsummano Terme with its grottoes with hot natural springs. It lies at the summit of a small hill, with the river Nievole running below. It was originally a farmhouse belonging to the local benedictine monastery, and goes back to 1673. The current owners have renovated it with tender loving care, respecting the original architectural characteristics. At the rear of the villa you can enjoy an enchanting view of a wood of pines and chestnut trees and of the vineyard which slopes gently down towards the garden, which is tended by the owners, and who live about 200 metres from the house). There is also a nice swimming-pool (6x12m), for exclusive use of guests of the house, completed by a spacious veranda (terrace and gazebo). On the opposite side of the house, in the entrance courtyard (which borders on another, completely enclosed, property) there are two other small verandas, ideal for breakfasts and dinners outside. The villa has been pleasingly furnished in tuscan style: the kitchen, the living-room and the smaller living-room are very comfortable and well looked-after, with the large stone fireplace and the wood-burning stove, which make the atmosphere warm and intimate. All of the bedrooms have air-conditioning; there are also a dishwasher, washing-machine, TV for guests use and mosquito-netting on the windows. Next to the villa, with an independent entrance, is the annex ("Dependance"), which can only be rented together with the villa by the same guests. Close by are several restaurants offering typical tuscan cuisine, and in the nearby towns of Montecatini Terme and Monsummano you will find all the services you might need along with the thermal spring establishments. Also within reach in half-an-hour to an hour by car are many famous tuscan towns and cities such as Florence (50 kms), Lucca (29 kms), Pisa (55kms), and the coast at Versilia (53 kms) with its sandy beaches.
