Villa Spezia is a splendid villa in a stellar setting above the beautiful Bay of Poets, along Liguria's celebrated coastline above the city of La Spezia. It is very close to the famous towns and hiking trails of the Cinque Terre. Lovely sea views and hillside panoramas are enjoyed from every window of the villa. Completed in 2010, this family property underwent an exacting two-year restoration process to reclaim all the original character, including its thick stone archways, brickwork, and rustic antique wood ceilings. The owner has infused the interior with a beautiful blend of travertine marble, oak floors and handcrafted tile. Care has been taken with the interiors and furniture, and the wall decorations are lovely. This creates a very comfortable country atmosphere with all of today's modern comforts, including wireless Internet access throughout the villa.

The villa is surrounded by olive groves planted on terraces that tumble down toward the sea. The well-tended garden has lovely landscaping and flagstone walkways, and there is an herb garden for guests' use. An old walking path leads from the property up into the hills, where it intersects with other trails and also leads down to the seaside city of La Spezia. A departure point for the hiking trails of the Cinque Terre is only a ten-minute drive from the villa. In fact, the Cinque Terre towns can also be accessed easily from the villa by car, and by train from the nearby station in La Spezia.

There is a very spacious stone terrace facing the sea, which is an ideal place to dine and relax. From the terrace, there is an entrance to the lowest floor of the villa. The living room is warm and inviting, with plush sofas and a satellite flat-screen television. A cheerful dining room contains a rustic antique table and seating for 8. The country-style kitchen has a professional-quality stove and oven, along with ample counter space and every item needed for cooking complete meals. The kitchen is also equipped with a dishwasher, large refrigerator/freezer, microwave, toaster, and coffee maker.

The four spacious bedrooms are spread across the two upper floors. The second floor can be reached by an internal staircase or through the villa's front door. This floor houses one room with two twin-sized beds that can be combined to make one double bed upon request. The other bedroom has a king-size bed. There is one ample-sized bathroom with a double vanity and shower on this floor. Up another level are two king-size master bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, one with a Victorian-style bathtub and the other with a shower. All the bedrooms enjoy splendid sea views and have oak floors.

Just outside of the villa's front door, on the second level, is a laundry room with a separate entrance. It has a large washing machine, clothes dryer, ironing board/iron, linen closet, and an antique marble sink.

The location of Villa Spezia puts the beaches and picturesque villages of Liguria's coast within easy reach. Lovely towns like Portovenere, Lerici, and Montemarcello are all within a half hour of the villa. Lucca, Florence and Pisa are also possible day trips by car or train. A bus stop with a connection to La Spezia is in easy walking distance. Stores and restaurants are close by the villa, including a restaurant and bar that is a 10-minute walk.

One of the special features of this villa is the care and attention that will be given to guests by its American owner, who has been working with foreign travelers for over ten years. She is very eager to help her guests with information about the local area, and upon request can arrange cooking courses at the villa and a local cook to prepare meals. She can also recommend an American tour guide specialized in the Cinque Terre trails, local museums, and nearby towns with art collections.