Casa Boccina is an early 19th century Tuscan farmhouse set in fourteen acres of gardens and forest by Monte San Quirico, a village just outside of Lucca. It is only a five minutedrive/ 35 minute walk from the beautiful walled city of Lucca. It is 14 acres of mostly flat land (7 of which is a protected forest) and has a farmhouse which sleeps ten. This is an eco friendly property. We have solar panels which will heat water for the house and pool and generate electricity in the autumn, and the forest provides wood to burn in the fireplace in the colder months. We have air-conditioning for the bedroom floor and kitchen which will be powered by electricity from our solar panels and will come on from late morning to early evening by timer. There are ceiling fans in the rooms during the evenings. A purpose built outbuilding across from the farmhouse houses a gym with two LifeCycle running machines, 2 LifeCycle Cross Trainers, a stepper, a reclining bicycle, a weight pulley system, a swiss ball and yoga mats, some free weights and an ipod docking station. We have 3 television monitors there so you can watch DVDs while you workout. Outside, we have a 12 x 6 metre pool with 1.2 metre shallow end and 3 metre deep end. It has a diving board, stairs for easy access, an outdoor shower and two shaded gazebos, one with a dining table and the other with a lounge area. Poolside, there is a Habitat double daybed, and several individual sun loungers 6. It is heated June-September courtesy of our solar panel array. There is a outdoor sound system to hook your iPOD up to. Surrounding the pool, is a metre-high flowering oleander hedge and dry stone wall with three sets of gates to deter children. Between the pool and the house is another relaxing area which is a small garden with the early 19th century well as the focal point. Beyond the pool is a 10 X 15 ft trampoline with safety net and walk a little further and on the hill you will find a large climbing frame. There is a forest with trails for you to explore across from the farmhouse. In the front garden we have a flower garden with potted lemon and mandarin trees with benches. We also have a five a side football pitch, outdoor chess board, table tennis and indoor pool table.There is plenty of parking within easy walking distance of the farmhouse.
Further details
Directly across from the Farmhouse there is a small converted barn this is where the owner lives.They keep to themselves and try to remain invisible giving you privacy which is helped by the high wooden fencing between the houses, but are also more than happy to help you out if you need a reservation made, pizzas or taxi ordered, or wine tasting organised.
The gardens are mowed and strimmed on a Saturday and there is constant maintenance during parts of the garden on a smaller scale. The pool will be cleaned most days and we do try to mow grass on the Saturday changeover day, but sometimes there may be strimming occurring during the week. If you let us know when you will be out, we can arrange for this during your absence if you would prefer not to disturb your peaceful pool time.
The owner will welcome you to the farmhouse as you arrive and will also be contactable during your stay to assist with any queries. Information pack and directions will be sent to you on receipt of balance. We can provide and organise the following services and they are payable directly to him:- fridge to be stocked with a selection of food of your choice upon arrival for a 10 euro charge- arrange baby sitting (10 euro /hour) INTERNET USE: Wifi is FREE and is accessed by the wifi password when you arrive.
Further details indoors
This early 19th century Tuscan farmhouse has been lovingly restored retaining all its charm with terracotta floors and beamed ceilings throughout. Inside, you will find a large inviting entrance hall leading to the main lounge with a large wood-burning fireplace, a tv/games room equipped with SKY TV, DVD player (UK terrestrial channels unavailable due to limiting SKY footprint over Europe), a large selection of DVDs for adults and children and a games room with a pool table and dart board and selection of games and puzzles for adults and children. There is a large well-equipped kitchen/dining area that seats 10 that has a large Rangemaster stove, coffee filter machine, toaster, microwave, electrical kettle, boiling water on tap, selection of utensils, spices and cooking essentials, recipe books and baking and presentation dishes, shower room and utility room equipped with english Bosch washing machine and dishwasher. We provide dishwashing liquid, dishwasher tablets, and washing powder. There is an ipod docking station in the kitchen and UK electrical outlets for plugging in chargers.
Upstairs, there is a large landing/ sitting area off of which there are three double rooms two of which have four poster beds, a twin room and a single room with a bunk bed with oriental rugs, antique furniture and tasteful original art and tapestries. There is a bathroom and a shower room also with 2 available hairdryers. All three bathrooms are newly refurbished with marble walls and Philippe Starcke bathroom suites. On the upstairs landing, there is a substantial bookcase. Guests are welcome to borrow books to read from this and have also left some behind in exchange for taking a new one. Please feel free to use this. There is a selection of children's books on a bookcase for use at the property. Individually wrapped soaps and toilet roll can be found in the bathrooms to start you off and there are hand towels in the bathrooms and two towels for each guest on the beds for house and pool use. There is also a few items at the property for use by toddlers and babies, which save you packing them when travelling. There are two highchairs, 2 travel cots, an attachment for side of bed, toys, puzzles, and books for young children plus plastic plates and bowls.
Directly in front of the farmhouse is a covered porch which has a formal dining table that seats 10 with a ceiling fan and outdoor iPod/iphone connection for listening to music al fresco. In front of the porch is a pergola with a lounge seating area and a barbeque. Across from the farmhouse is a small gym, situated at the end of the Barn house (where the owners live) and contains the following professional life fitness equipment: Cross-trainer, tread mill/running machine, reclining bicycle, stepper and free weights. There is an ipod docking station and television with dvd player.
Further details outdoors
Upon approaching the house you see a large overhanging roof creating a shaded porch area and outdoor cooking area perfect for al fresco dining, a bbq is provided.Within the five acre fenced garden, there is a fenced-in, 6 x 12 metre pool, with a deep end and diving board, stairs in shallow end and a sheltered sitting area for al fresco dining. There is a Well Garden between the house and pool featuring a well dated 1840 which is a tranquil place for late afternoon and evening drinks, and a herb garden. As the majority of the garden is a flat, grassed area there is plenty of space for ball games and croquet. Two football goal posts are in the rear lawn and there is a shaded area next to the house with table tennis. A large children's climbing frame (with scramble net, swings, slides etc.) is through the olive grove at the end of the garden. There are also seven acres of forest with newly made nature trail to explore. Children should, of course, be supervised when using play equipment and pool. The garden is some of the most fertile around Lucca thanks to the springs that permeate the land.The property has an olive grove and a selection of fruit and nut trees (apple, pear, plum, sharon fruit, apricot, peach, grape vines), which guests are welcome to help themselves to.
