Lucca holiday farmhouse accommodation with walking, beach/lake nearby, log fire, disabled access, gym, internet access, rural retreat

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Lucca Luxury Casa Boccina (farmhouse)

Home description

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 located only five minutes 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 are installing 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.
In an outbuilding across from the farmhouse is a gym with three LifeCycle aerobic machines, some free weights and an ipod docking station. Outside, we have a newly refurbished 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, and shaded area with a dining table poolside. There is a outdoor sound system to hook your iPOD up to. At night, LED uplighting makes it a magical place. 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. At the end of the olive grove is a large climbing frame. There is a forest with trails for you to explore across from the farmhouse.
There is plenty of parking within easy walking distance of the farmhouse. A private tennis court will be built at the end of the holiday season and will be ready for use in spring 2009. We regret that this has not been built this year. It was delayed a few months due to italian bureaucracy.

outdoor sound system so don't forget ipod!	LED uplighters on palm trees at night
house from hill

To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/35487

The Tuscany region

Tuscany is one of the most beautiful areas of Italy, with a landscape of rolling vineyard-covered hills, rows of cypress trees, medieval fortified hill towns and a rugged coastline interspersed with sandy beaches. It provides a peaceful setting for a relaxing holiday within easy reach of Italy’s greatest art treasures and the famous Chianti vineyards. Enjoy stunning scenery and some of the most outstanding sights of Italy, including the beautiful cities of Florence, Pisa and Lucca. Tuscany is the perfect destination for different kinds of holidays, with its ideal climate it is also suitable for active holidays (lots of hills and mountains to be explored), as well as for the art lovers and the fantastic cuisine.

April to October sees the main tourist season in Tuscany, but Autumn to early Spring is recommended for the the best time for visitors to see all the attractions the Region has to offer without the extensive queues of High season.

Places to visit include Pisa where you can see the famous tower, Italy’s premier tourist attraction. It has been re-opened to visitors to climb.Or there is Siena which is a well-preserved medieval walled-city with narrow streets lined with tall Gothic mansions descending to the main square. Twice a year, the famous Palio horse race is run in the Piazza del Campo.San Gimignano is an enchanting town with a skyline of tall medieval towers. It has changed little since the 14th century and the old streets and squares are charmingly picturesque.

Florence is a beautiful renaissance city on the River Arno, with much to offer art lovers. The Uffizi Gallery and Gallery Academia house some magnificent pieces, and the Duomo, the sixth largest in the world, has a wonderful painted ceiling. Other highlights include the Ponte Vecchio, lined with shops selling gold, and the church at Santa Croce. The views from the Piazza Michelangelo over the city’s rust coloured roofs are magnificent. Lucca is also worth a visit. With a rich heritage and many churches, palaces and squares giving the town a charming unspoilt air. Take a stroll around the ramparts, built in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Elba is nenowned as Napoleon’s place of exile, the chief attractions of this unspoilt island are its beaches and clear waters. Inland it is mountainous with vineyards, olive groves and picturesque villages. The capital, Portoferraio, has an attractive old walled town.

Tuscany is a wonderful area for walking enthusiasts.You can also hire windsurfs from many of the beaches near Cecina Mare.

Whichever time of the year you choose to visit Tuscany the weather is bound to be pleasant- .Sunny hot weather awaits you in Summer (80° F to 90° F) It remains fine weather up until the end of October. It is still sunny in winter with temperatures of around 50° F during the day.

Lucca area

Casa Boccina is located only five minutes from the beautiful walled city of Lucca. There is much to do in Lucca. The walls provide a tree-lined pedestrianized promenade circuiting the city with parks, playgrounds and cafés, and are perfect for cycling around on hired bikes or picnicking. Within the city, every third Saturday, there is a large monthly antique market within several piazzas, an Opera Festival that celebrate the home of Puccini, an open air Music Festival in July that has recently featured Jamiroquai, Peter Gabriel, Dido, Van Morrison and Elton John. The famous landmark in Lucca is a tower that has an oak tree growing on the top of it, which you can climb. There are also a
number of wonderful restaurants within Lucca and in the surrounding area that are recommended. The shopping in Lucca is very good with typical Italian hours. There is a large selection of clothes, shoe and optical shops to choose from. Half price sales late July and mid January.

Outside of Lucca, you can do day trips to Florence, Pisa, and Siena and San Gimignano in the Chianti region. There are stately homes, or “Villas”, with gardens around Lucca that are open to the public most of which do guided tours. On the coast, there are white sandy beaches at Lido di Camaiore and Forte dei Marmi (shopping excellent here, too) at which you can hire a site with beach umbrellas, loungers and full use of shower and toilet facilities. You can also go on a tour of the Carrara marble quarry (the pure white marble used in all the statuary).I can provide you with a list of event/fairs etc for the coming months.There is lots to do.

North of Lucca, you can visit the medieval hilltop town of Barga that retains close links with Scotland and has a “fish and chips” festa in summer and boasts magnificent views over the surrounding
Garfagnana mountains. Close by, is Grotto del Vento with its ancient stalactite formations and a cool alternative the a hot summer sun.

How to get there

Pisa International (otherwise known as Aeroporto Galileo Galilei Pisa) is the nearest airport with airlines such as BA and Lufthansa operating direct flights, as well as budget airlines Ryan Air and Easyjet to choose from. Genoa Airport is also another option, which can work out cheaper sometimes, as well as Bologna and Florence.

Visit airlines website direct (www.ryanair.com, www.ba.com, www.easyjet.com, www.lufthansa.com) for a selection of scheduled fares.Alternatively you can try ebookers (www.ebookers.com) or travelsupermarket.com who will compare all flights and offer discounts.

Car hire is recommended. This can be booked for pick-up direct from most airports at competitive prices.Try travelsupmarket.com for comparison of car hire prices.

Activities near Lucca

Facilities

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, and a games room with a pool table and dart board. There is a large well equipped kitchen/dining area at seats eight, shower room and utility room equipped with washing machine and dishwasher. Upstairs, there are three double rooms two of which have four poster beds, a twin room and a single room with a bunk bed. There is a bathroom and a shower room also with hairdryers. All three bathrooms are newly refurbished with marble walls and Philippe Starcke bathroom suites.

There is also a few items at the property for use by toddlers and babies, which save you packing them when travelling. There is a Highchair, Travel cot, Attachment for side of bed, baby monitor, toys, puzzles, and books for young children plus plastic plates and bowls.

The property also has a small gym, situated at the end of the Barn house and contains professional life fitness equipment: such as a Cross-trainer, tread mill/running machine, reclining bicycle and free weights.
The Gym has an iPod docking stations for the provision of music, Apple iPod docking stations are also provided in the Farmhouse and the Garage.

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 seven acre fenced garden, there is a fenced-in, 6 x 12 metre pool, with a deep end and diving board, and a sheltered sitting area for al fresco dining. The area is uplit by LED uplighters in various changeable colours. 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. 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 sheltered area on the front lawn with table tennis. a large sheltered tent on the rear garden has a long table and benches and a table football game. A large children’s climbing frame (with scramble net, swings, slides etc.) is 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.

Further details

Directly across from the Farmhouse thre is a small converted barn this is where the gardener lives .You may come across him working during your stay.
Our locally based, English speaking, House Manager, will welcome you to the farmhouse shortly after arrival 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.

Our house manager can provide and organise the following services:
- fridge to be stocked with a selection of food of your choice upon arrival
- baby sitting
- choose food from a menu and have it cooked at the property
- cleaning and laundry before and after your stay is included, but if you are staying for more than a week and wish the house to be cleaned and laundered during your visit, you can arrange this directly with her at an extra charge.
- restaurant booking
- general services

You can pay for these services in cash directly to the House manager.

Conditions

Provisional bookings will be held for 7 days or your option will be automatically released. 30% deposit required at time of booking with the balance payable six weeks prior to arrival, together with a fully-refundable deposit of £350.00 in respect of damage or breakages. This deposit will be returned within two weeks of vacating the apartment, once the inventory has been checked against the apartment.

The prices quoted are subject to change without notice. However, the rental price for the property is fully guaranteed once the deposit has been paid.

Rental rates

Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
Low	15 Nov 08	20 Dec 08	1200£  1,200	0-	0-	1 Week
Xmas/New Year	20 Dec 08	3 Jan 09	1900£  1,900	0-	0-	1 Week
Low	3 Jan 09	1 Apr 09	1200£  1,200	0-	0-	1 Week
Mid	1 Apr 09	28 Jun 09	1500£  1,500	0-	0-	1 Week
High	28 Jun 09	1 Sep 09	2250£  2,250	0-	0-	1 Week
Mid	1 Sep 09	1 Nov 09	1500£  1,500	0-	0-	1 Week
Low	1 Nov 09	27 Dec 09	1200£  1,200	0-	0-	1 Week
Xmas/New Year	27 Dec 09	9 Jan 10	2250£  2,250	0-	0-	1 Week

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion.
Rentals are from Saturday to Saturday.

Breakages are charged.

Any glass in pool,or other foreign material requiring special cleaning will be charged for.

Guestbook

Monday: sunbathe, Tuesday: eat too much, Wednesday: go to beach, Thursday: stay by pool, Friday: explore Lucca, Saturday: win lottery, Sunday: buy this house. July 2008

Availability notes

To see availability please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/35487

Contact owner

To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/35487

Contact details for home 35487 Please mention Holiday Lettings
Name:	Britta Bia
Languages:
Contact Notes: Email
Advertiser joined: 23 Aug 2007 This property added: 23 Aug 2007

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