Villa, Tuscany, Italy - south of Lucca, Tuscany

This villa in Tuscany, Italy beautifully combines the lush central Italian countryside with proximity to one of Italy's most splendid medieval cities ... lying south of Lucca, Tuscany.

Salvatore Bongi is a marvellously unspoiled, though artfully renovated, sixteenth century villa. Set in an enchanting green location, on the south hills of Lucca, it lies only 8km from the centre of this marvellous old city.

The villa has a large walled garden, which includes a swimming pool, the extraordinary sixteenth century grotto, and the orchard.

This villa in Tuscany, Italy, is laid out as follows. The ground floor has a kitchen and a dining room; the first floor a large salon, two bedrooms and a bathroom; the second floor has three more bedrooms and two bathrooms. The Salvatore Bongi is a beautiful example of the classic Lucchese country villa, and it has been recently refurbished and redecorated throughout. Your rental includes cleaning three times a week, for three hours each time.

Daytrips into Lucca are a delight. This is an ancient city, founded by the Etruscan civilisation which gave its name to the region of Tuscany. Its street plan was laid out by the Romans, and at the heart of the city is the ancient Roman amphitheatre. Still in use today, its walls now contain apartments and shops, and the floor of the amphitheatre itself is home to an open-air market.

Much of the fabric of Lucca is medieval, with little winding streets, Romanesque churches and the Duomo (cathedral) itself. The entire city is encircled by a complete medieval defensive wall, stretching for more than two miles. Half a millennium ago this served as a defence against raids from neighbouring city states such as Florence; today it makes a marvellous vantage point from which to gaze down into the town. And the walls, many metres deep, are topped by paths, lawns and trees; this is a hugely popular circuit for joggers, cyclists, or those simply taking a relaxing stroll. From here you can gaze down upon this beautiful city, or out to the Tuscan hills beyond.

[ local map | map of Tuscany ]

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