We booked the Villa Martini based on its appearance and the previous write ups. It was in an area of Tuscany that we had never experienced before and so it was with some trepidation that we drove up the winding road towards Vigneta. But the astounding views of the Apuane Alps with its jagged peaks were a real surprise and over the next next two weeks we watched the changing light over Mt Pisanio as the clouds or the early morning mist changed its appearance. Villa Martini was a real delight. It is an old building with well proportioned rooms and restored to a high standard. All the rooms were adequately spacious and the abundance of showers and baths was a real blessing, given the heat wave we lived through. The kitchen was spacious and well equipped and the dining table easily accommodated the seven of us.

Outside, the pool had a fixed depth throughout but quite adequate for swimming if not for diving. Particularly pleasant were the views from the poolside patio, which was where we took our breakfast most mornings. To the side of the house, the landlord had thoughtfully designed a shady retreat where a long table and chairs were sheltered from the mid-day sun and where cooling breezes came in from the mountains beyond. A modern gas fired BBQ proved very useful.

Given that we holidayed in the 2018 heat wave with daily temperatures ranging from 38-40c, the presence of the shady side of the house was a godsend, so too were the thick walls of the house which helped to make the interior always cool. If there was one thing that the landlord could consider, that would be to construct a similar awning over the far side of the pool where the current table and umbrella do not cope with the mid-day sun.

The village of Vigneta was served with a daily service of fresh bread and twice a week an excellent greengrocer arrived, while down in the nearby village just minutes away a fish van came once a week and butcher also. But a bit further down the valley there was a small supermarket that stocked most things. However the highlight of Vigneta was the recently refurbished bar, whose opening we were invited to. A lovely couple run this oasis and are adept at making Spritzers - as well as expresso if desired.

Finally, the Landlord Fabio - a truly lovely man who often appeared with a bag of tomatoes, zuchinni, or onions from his own garden. And one memorable day he took us to visit the marble quarries.

Villa Martini is a holiday venue we thoroughly recommend