Location: Aquilea, Lucca Province, Tuscany, Italy, Europe (Ponte a Moriano 10 Mins, Lucca 20 Mins, Pisa 45 Mins.) View Map
Accommodations: Villa, 8 Bedrooms + Detached Unit, 6 Baths (Sleeps 15)
Keywords: Family Villa
High above Lucca stands a handsome 17th-century villa that is, first and foremost, an unusually well-appointed private family home. Set in an extensive estate, “Casa Berti” is a villa of rare charm and peacefulness with its own farmhouse, outbuildings, and an artist’s studio, a private swimming pool, terraced gardens, olive orchards, fruit trees and woodland. The villa itself sleeps ten guests. The farmhouse, located near the main house, is also available and sleeps a further five.
Families are welcome, and children well provided for. The house, a tranquil retreat, is reached by a track that zigzags up from the village church through its own olive terraces. The views are exceptional, even by Italian standards. Farmhouses and villas, fields, vineyards and olive groves, hilltops and valleys, unfurl below you.
The villa itself has been restored with integrity and authenticity. Its lofty interior spaces—high ceilings, large and numerous windows and double doors, arcaded entrance and commanding position—mark Casa Berti as a true villa. The ancient thick walls ensure a cool interior even in the height of summer, and throughout there is relaxed refinement. A terracotta-tiled terrace, lined with lemon trees in handsome traditional pots, leads onto a shaded pergola with a large travertine table and iron chairs. In summer this is, in effect, an outdoor living and dining room.
A gas grill, unusual in Italian homes, makes outdoor cooking simple. The swimming pool (10 x 6 meters, with shallow end and Roman steps), is set just below the villa on a separate, deep terrace. Sheltered and with all-day sunlight, it has sweeping views of the valley. A second simpler pergola provides shade. There are handsome pool loungers and furnishings.
Above the villa is the farmhouse, restored to the same high standards as the main house, providing sleeping for a further five people. Independent but close enough to the main house to sleep a total group of fifteen people, it has its own garden and a wood-burning, fully functional pizza oven. An evening of pizza-making is great fun for all ages.
Casa Berti has quantities of superb estate-produced extra virgin olive oil and limoncello, as well as a selection of the best local wines for guests to enjoy. Casa Berti is a great place from which to explore northern Tuscany, but once here you may not want to leave.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Elevator : A stair lift operates between the ground floor and first floor levels. There is also a wheelchair on site.
- Garage : Car port.
- Covered Parking
- Off Street Parking
- Wood Fireplace
- Wood Stove : The artist's studio/ ping pong room contains a wood stove.
- Beds
- King Bed : High quality new beds.
- Queen Bed
- Twin/Single Bed
- Crib
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- VCR
- Video Library : Movie collection on DVD and VHS.
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library
- Pool Table
- Ping Pong/Table Tennis
- Private Pool : The terracotta tile surrounded pool is unheated and has a large selection of high quality sun loungers.
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen : A fully equipped kitchen with a wide range of utensils.
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Ice Maker
- Catering Available : Catering and airport transfers are available on request.
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- Balcony
- Gazebo
- View/Location
- Mountain View : The views to the south and east from the front terrace are truly spectacular. there is also a big view north to the (often) snow-capped mountains of the Garfagnana.
- Communications
- Telephone
- Computer
- Broadband Internet
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly
- Handicapped Accessible (may have limitations) : Whole of ground floor and first floor accessible by wheelchair. Stairlift between ground and first floor. The ensuite bathroom to the first floor bedroom contains a disabled-friendly shower with grab rails and seat. Additional separate adapted toilet - elevated, with grab rails. Happy to provide further details, with photos, if wanted.
- Wheelchair Accessible (may have limitations) : Wheelchair and walking frame available. Full wheelchair access to the ground and first floors and garden terraces.
- Kid Friendly : Extensive gardens around the property. Quiet rural location with very little traffic.
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Downhill/Alpine Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Horseback Riding
- Theme Park (Amusement Park)
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Sledding/Tubing
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Spelunking
- Restaurants
Rate Details (In Euros)
Oct 26-Dec 20 .. €2,950/week (Villa) .. €850/week (Farmhouse)
Dec 21-Jan 05 .. €3,450/week (Villa) .. add €1500/week (Farmhouse)
Jan 06-May 03 .. €2,950/week (Villa) .. add €1000/week (Farmhouse)
May 04-Jun 28 .. €4,950/week (Villa) .. add €1,500/week (Farmhouse)
July 01-Aug 30 .. €6,450/week (Villa) .. add €1,700/week (Farmhouse)
Sep 01-Oct 31 .. €4,950/week (Villa) .. add €1,500/week (Farmhouse)
Nov 04-Dec 20 .. €3,450/week (Villa) .. €850/week (Farmhouse)
For parties of more than 10 please book villa and farmhouse. US$ & UK£ accepted
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 1997
Why the Owner Chose Aquilea
Our Italian home is set in a beautiful location and has views that never cease to amaze. I honeymooned at the house and we bought it a few years later.
The Unique Benefits at this Villa
Our house is one of the most tranquil places I know. It is set above the small village and church. There are wooded hills all around the property with endless walks and stunning views. It is lovely to be there at any time of year and the property is within easy reach of the cultural centres of Tuscany.
Owner's Map of Aquilea
This is recent photo of me taken in Morrocco. I live and work in London and go to our lovely family home in Tuscany as often as possible.
Property Photos
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- The villa - Lucca Area Villa with Private Pool, Gardens, Orchards, and Mountain Views
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- The villa - Lucca Area Villa with Private Pool, Gardens, Orchards, and Mountain Views
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- The Swimming Pool - Lucca Area Villa with Private Pool, Gardens, Orchards, and Mountain Views
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- The sitting room
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- Example Bedroom
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- The swimming pool
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- Evening sunset
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- Estate produced olive oil
Traveler Reviews (7)
Guest: Lauren and Pat
(-)
Date of Stay: 06/05/09
Review Submitted: 04/12/10
Thank you for such a wonderful stay. Long dinners outside, fireflies and butterflies. We all had the vacation we hoped for and you can't really say that often!
Recommended for:
Guest: Felicita
(-)
Date of Stay: 07/14/06
Review Submitted: 04/12/10
Una vacanza memorabile per la bellezza del luogo e della casa. Particolarmente apprezzati: la vista del temporale di notte, la fauna, e i luoghi dove hanno combattuto nel 1944-45
Recommended for:
Guest: Emily, Nancy, Rick and Matthew
(-)
Date of Stay: 06/26/09
Review Submitted: 04/12/10
Why did we only book one week? By mistake! It is not enough time to enjoy this heavenly place. The house, the view, the view, the sun, everything was perfect.
Recommended for:
Guest: Keith, Sandra, Aaron and Eva
(-)
Date of Stay: 06/22/07
Review Submitted: 04/12/10
two families from Boston who forgot about jobs, schools, traffic and City noise for an entire week! Instead we had the beauty and seep of this beautiful place with its magnificent views and history. Not to mention the excellent wine and food!
Recommended for:
Guest: Deborah and Jeff
(-)
Date of Stay: 06/20/08
Review Submitted: 04/12/10
Twelve days of complete bliss. Waking up late, yummy breakfasts, visits to Cararra, Pisa, Pinocchio Park. Long lunches followed by gelati. Wonderful dinners and wine back here. It just doesn't get any better. Thanks for sharing your wonderful house with us, and for all the great information in 'The Book of The House'. Specially good were the chocolate shop and the cheese shop in Lucca. My arteries are hardening just thinking about it!
Recommended for:
Guest: Jonathan
(-)
Date of Stay: 08/12/09
Review Submitted: 04/12/10
This has been our first family holiday "abroad" and the most relaxing we have ever had. The house has such a warm and friendly feeling and is really very special. Bliss.
Recommended for:
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #220948
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