Italy hotels - Hotel Villa Volpi - Friendly farmhouse hotel in the hills north of Lucca, Tuscany

Service is provided in the living rooms, in the bedrooms and at the swimming pool as well. You can enjoy soft, warm croissants, crisps and snacks, homemade jams, delicious aperitifs ... whatever you want.

On a sunny hill among the olive trees the swimming pool is an integral part of the hotel. Relax in the water or enjoy a snack, while gazing upon the enchanting valleys that surround you. Solar panels heat the water through the cooler hours of the day and night, especially in the low seasons.

The kitchen provides you with a marvellous range of typical and local dishes. In Tuscany, of course, that means the freshest ingredients, carefully selected and simply cooked. From locally produced olive oils to organic white and red wines, seasonal vegetables and locally reared meats, to game hunted in the surrounding forests. Special attention is given to quality, from the choosing of raw ingredients to the methods of preparation, always in line with genuine local traditions. And with international dishes available, all tastes will be satisfied.

You'll love the sober and refined ambience of the restaurant rooms, with friendly and knowledgeable staff. Weather permitting, al fresco meals can be enjoyed under the cool shelter of the gazebos.

A big cellar offers a chance to taste the organically and ethically produced and certified olive oils and wines. Your palate can indulge in a wealth of refined wines typical both of the region and the whole country, accompanied by complementary foods and snacks. The farm can accommodate visiting groups during weekdays, though you will have to book. There are regular wine tasting sessions, and culinary courses where you will learn how to best match foods and wines. The cellar can be booked for business meetings, parties and other celebrations. With personalised menus (and you can discuss your tastes and requirements with the chef beforehand), you can tailor the occasion perfectly.

And nearby of course is Lucca. Less bustling than Pisa or Florence, this ancient city - founded by the Romans in 180BC - is the perfect centre for your Tuscan holiday. Completely enclosed by a monumental 15th century fortified wall, it has museums, churches, restaurants, bars and shops, all packed into narrow mediaeval streets which still follow the original Roman plan. In Lucca, the pedestrian comes before the motor car, and you can spend hours wandering through beautiful squares, visiting the cathedral or one of the dozen museums, or hiring a bike and cycling around the top of the city wall - a great way to see the town and its surroundings. Then relax in one of the dozens of superb bars, coffee shops and restaurants.

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