Lucca Area Villa for Rent: Villa La Corte - Property 87874

About the Experience
When you wake up in the morning and find yourself lying beneath a gorgeous antique canopy bed, you might think you're still dreaming?maybe even sleep-walking, because as you get up and wander through the house, you find yourself in a magnificent Tuscan villa rental, with authentic period furniture, chandeliers, and your own housekeeper! But don't pinch yourself; instead, step outside of this villa in Tuscany for a breath of fresh air as you walk through verdant walled gardens filled with trees and flowers. Still not awake? Bike into nearby Lucca, one of Italy's finest medieval cities-- just a short distance from this villa rental in Tuscany, Italy.

Location
Outside the walled city of Lucca, visitors can drive in or borrow one of the 3 bicycles on the property to ride in. The city is worth enjoying simply for its medieval charm, but there are also a number of interesting sights to visit. The Duomo di San Martino and the Church of San Michele in Foro are both gorgeous examples of period architecture, while the Casa di Puccini, where the composer was born, has been transformed into a small museum in his honor. You can also climb the 130 foot Torre Guinigi, but on the other hand viewing the tree-topped tower from below might be just as enjoyable? and a lot less work! Nearer the villa, there are also more common pleasures and conveniences: the "Jolly Market" and drugstore, along with "Da Moreno," a pizzeria, are only 500 meters away. If you have an emergency gelato craving, "Angelino" is only three minutes away.
Siena: 2 hours
Cinque Terre: 1 hour
Florence: 60 km
Versilia (and beaches): 30 km
Pisa: 20 km
Tennis and golf: 20 km

Exterior Description
The villa dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Situated outside the walled city of Lucca in a residential area with other villas and houses nearby, this villa has a large front garden full of flowers, fruit trees, and potted lemon trees. The garden is surrounded by an old garden wall, keeping it nicely secluded from the outside world. This villa has been in the same family since it was built. The owner, an artist, manufactures old lucchesi silk fabrics used as house decorations. Her studio is located in the lemon-house (la limonaia), an annex next to the villa. The well maintained villa features terracotta tiled floors and frescoed rooms. Antique furniture and refined upholstery and decoration make the villa elegant and charming, a special stay for art lovers. The above-ground swimming pool is about 8.5m in diameter and 1.2m in depth. Two very friendly dogs and one cat live on the property.

Interior Description
(600m2)
Ground floor: Entrance into a large sitting room, TV room (satellite TV), large dining room, breakfast room. There is a fully equipped, old country-style kitchen (dishwasher, fridge, deep freeze, gas stove, and microwave). A separate laundry room has a washing machine. There are two bedrooms on this floor: the first has a queen-sized bed, while the second has two twin beds and an en-suite bathroom. There is also another bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower.
First floor: Large salon, sitting room. Four bedrooms: The first has a queen-sized bed (antique yellow canopy) with an en-suite bathroom (toilet, sink, and double Jacuzzi-shower). The second also has a queen-sized bed (Empire four-poster bed) and an en-suite bathroom. The third is a queen-sized bedroom, and the fourth is a twin bedded room. There is one more bathroom also on this floor.

Features
Available Amenities: Satellite TV, dishwasher, deep freeze, gas stove, microwave, washing machine, full-time housekeeper included in the price (lives in an independent apartment on the second floor), welcome dinner. The villa is fully air conditioned (charged according to consumption).
Arrive & Relax: Stocked with enough food to get your group through Saturday night and Sunday, this property allows you to show up, drop your bags, and settle in without a hassle. No searching for a grocery store after that long flight, and no worrying about Sunday store closures. You can deal with the details later... after a meal and a good nights' sleep! Arrive & Relax provisions include:
# Dinner: Tomato sauce, olive oil, and pasta
# Breakfast: Fresh fruit, eggs, and corn flakes
# Lunch: Olives, cheese, prosciutto, and bread
# Beverages: Mineral water, orange juice, coke, milk, coffee, and wine (red and white)
# Extras: Sugar, salt, butter, jam, Nutella, napkins, and toilet paper
# No substitutions on provisions

Extra Services: The following are listed as an aid for trip planning; the services and prices are approximate and cannot be guaranteed by Rentvillas. All extra services are payable locally in cash.
# Professional chef upon request: 100 euros/meal plus the cost of food and wine.

# Maid service: extra cost

# Air conditioning: charged according to consumption

Nearby Attractions: Lucca, Florence, Versilia, Pisa.
Please Note: The owner, an artist, lives in the limonaia next to the villa.