Tuscany Farmhouse Il Gufo; farm house with pool in Pistoia area

Charming rustic apartments in a converted stone farmhouse

Explore historic Lucca, Pisa and Florence

Rural location in wooded hills, with a panoramic pool

Option for rewarding mountain walks

The four comfortable apartments are just a 10-minute drive from San Marcello Pistoiese, down a secluded strada bianche (country lane) in a renovated stone farmhouse surrounded by fruit groves and woodland – with a panoramic shared pool a short stroll away.

Discover some of Italy’s finest scenery where the mountainous terrain of the rugged Apennines contrasts with the classic rolling landscapes of Tuscany. Winding paths lead through quiet secluded valleys and along wide ridges which offer far-reaching views across the wooded hills, broken only by deep river valleys and bare rugged peaks. To the north, the Corno alle Scale National Park is home to a wealth of wildlife from moufflons, roe deer and marmots to redstarts, wallcreepers and golden eagles; while further south, the landscape is gentler, with hill-top villages and ruined castles standing guard over high arching bridges and ancient trackways.

This is an ideal place in which to get to know authentic Tuscany, whether you are walking through remote mountain villages or through the streets of a world-famous Renaissance city. Set your own pace and create your own agenda, perhaps spending a rewarding day in the mountains, or discovering the art treasures of the classical world in Florence, Pisa or Lucca and indulging in local specialities on the terrace of a colourful trattoria on the piazza, before returning to your tranquil oasis set amid the silent forests around San Marcello-in-Pistoiese.

These charming rustic apartments are hidden away along a secluded strada bianca, not far from the pretty village of San Marcello Pistoiese. For hugely rewarding, though fairly strenuous walks, we recommend a number of routes in the mountains, including around Abetone and the Corno alle Scale with the delights of Lake Scaffaiolo which can be ascended (with the aid of cable cars!) from Cutigliano, only a 10-kilometre drive from San Marcello.