If, like me, you’ve always fantasized about living in an Italian villa overlooking the sea or a Tuscan vineyard, well, I’ve found a company that can help make our dreams come true.
Florence-based Lionard Luxury Real Estate offers North Americans a chance to live in some of the world’s chicest and historic properties in romantic Italian locations like Portofino, Tuscany, Capri, the Amalfi Coast and the Liguarian Riviera.
These aren’t just any homes, mind you. Most of the seaside fortresses, luxury villas, fairy tale castles and grand manors featured in Lionard’s awesome portfolio fall under the “historic” label, including a fortress by the sea just outside Livorno called Villa Garzoni where Leonardo Da Vinci slept in 1502. This “home” was bought by Napoleon’s sister, Princess Elisa Bonaparte, in the 19th century and the 8,320 square foot behemoth is one Italy’s most treasured properties. Have a look at what you get: http://www.lionard.com/historic-luxury-villa-for-sale-in-livorno.html
If this property doesn’t fit your needs, how about owning the villa where the children’s classic "Pinocchio" was written in 1883?
It can be yours for a mere $20 million (U.S.) - a good investment considering this is a “house” where the likes of King Ferdinand of Austria, Napoleon Bonaparte and Anna de' Medici were guests. The main villa, originally built in 1600, has five levels with a total interior space of over 32,000 square fee. It also features 40 bedrooms - perfect for a big family. There’s also a summer house, a farm, a restaurant, and butterfly house on property. Have a look: http://www.lionard.com/Tuscany-villa-for-sale-near-pistoia.html
Other properties in the Lionard collection include: 
- An Amalfi Coast seaside luxury villa:  http://www.lionard.com/luxury-home-on-the-amalfi-coast.html
- A Lingurian hilltop castle in Genova: http://www.lionard.com/castle-for-sale-in-liguria.html
- A picturesque villa in Portofino: http://www.lionard.com/portofino-luxury-villa-for-sale.html
Lionard Luxury Real Estate was founded in 2008 by a young Florentine businessman named Dimitri Corti and in just a few years the company has become the leading luxury property provider in Italy. Lionard currently manages over 1000 properties in its portfolio with an average reference price of between $7.5 million and $15 million. 
For more on what Lionard offers investors, go to http://www.lionard.com