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La Chiusa, a villa located just outside of Lucca, Tuscany is a wonderful villa rental that produces life-long memories of happiness. Villa La Chiusa is perhaps our favorite rental in all of Tuscany. Really. It has been transformed from a classic Tuscan nobile residence into a very, very comfortable vacation home with pool, butler, AC, WiFi, fireplace...all the modern comforts. A place where weeks can go by and your only concern is how can you stay longer...or when can you come back. Villa La Chiusa has parts dating back to the 17th century and parts to the 18th century when it was enlarged and refined with decorations.
It is situated on the level countryside in Lucca valley 3 km from the walls, with a large lovely Italian garden full of flowers, fruit trees, and old lemon pots. All the garden is surrounded by an old garden-wall keeping it nicely secluded from the outside world.
This elegant villa has been "in the family forever" as the lovely owner has told us with a wave of the hand, as if swatting away the generations. In the old days it was part of a vast estate with the homes for farmers behind it. All the complex was called "La Corte", a typical Lucchese country settlement still existing in some areas of the region's countryside.
The owner is a creative lady who is still maintaining the traditional design and manufacturing of old Lucchese silk fabrics for house historic decoration. It is consequently understandable the way she fully restored the house, equipping it with all the modern appliances, but yet maintaining the traditional charm and character of a typical period villa with terra cotta tiled floors, and frescoed rooms. Antique furniture and historic decoration make the villa elegant and charming and deliver a special stay. Very comfortable furnishings throughout the many large rooms, and a shaded sitting areas outside make this place one of our favorites. Located outside the walls of Lucca (3 kilometers) in SS Annunziata, you are close to not only the centro storico, but loads of great places to tour nearby.
Perfect for: Families and friends.
The Details:
Ground floor:
Living room with piano, two sofas and several chairs. Dining room settings and seats for 14. Sitting/TV room with stereo and a nice collection of CD's, satellite TV with large flat panel TV, sofa and comfy chairs. Computer with ADSL in hallway with table and chair. Large kitchen fit for foodies. Breakfast room with seating for 6 - 8. Double bedroom with two large antique book cases and a nearby WC, a twin bedroom with a full bathroom with shower.
First floor: Master matrimonial bedroom with some wonderful decorative frescoe work and with large ensuite bathroom (Jacuzzi and shower), second master matrimonial bedroom also with lite frescoes and an ensuite bathroom with shower, a twin bedroom and a matrimonial bedroom that share a bathroom with shower. There is also a classic central salon where all of the bedrooms are connected.
Second floor: for storage only.
A rustico on the property has the caretaker and owner. A friendly dog lives outside or in the rustico.
Services, Features, Amenities:
Bikes,
AC,
Heat,
Sat TV,
Stereo, CD player,
Microwave,
Pool,
Washing machine,
Internet Workstation,
WiFi,
Hang dry,
Dishwasher,
5 hobs gas, and oven,
Fresh towels daily,
House cleaning 3 days / 3 hours per week,
Welcome buffet first night.
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Although we are biased on such matters, and may be preaching to the choir, Lucca is arguably the best city in Tuscany. It is also the closest to most of our Lucca based rentals. There are loads of reasons this is a great place to visit (olive oil for example, lack of tourists another). To the benefit of you and the proud locals, Lucca has completely retained the original thick walls around the centro storico. As the wide walls lost their military importance, abruptly ended with the conquering Bonaparte in 1805, no match for his modern might, they became as they are today: a pedestrian only park that rings the city entirely providing a wonderful view of the countryside and city below. Lucca is a perfect place to spend a day, or when you have a little extra time between other touring, you can easily slug it in and never tire of its streets, alleys, sights and shops. It is a perfect place to walk around, the walls not withstanding (in fact for the walls we suggest renting a bike and seeing the city that way - on the walls and off). We fondly call it "Florence without the scooters, people or museums." But still enough great restaurants, cafes, gelati and upscale shopping to attract the discerning folk. Here is a quick guide to our favorite restaurants (also found in more detail on our recommended restaurants in Lucca page):
Da Giulio, on via Conce Piazza San Donato
La Buca, on via della Cervia
Osteria Baralla, on via Anfiteatro
Antico Cafe, on Piazzale Vittorio Emanuele
Touring Ideas:
Lucca 3 km
The A11 (4 km)
Siena 1.5 hours
Cinque Terre (40 minutes to the La Spezia boats)
Forte dei Marmi (30 minutes)
Montecatini (20 minutes)
Carre Foure for all of your shopping is less than 1 km away!
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