Tuscan Villa with Pool & Gardens

Paradise with breathtaking views of the Lucca and Pisa valleys

We're a perfect setting for reunions, anniversaries and gatherings of all kinds

Luxurious sleeping under traditional chestnut-beamed ceiling

The Pensatoio, the perfect place for a reading a book or enjoying the view

Many memories and many good meals have been created here

A new friend you will make on the estate

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Last updated: 07/17/2014

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Overview Reviews Rates Calendar Location Owner Info Photos

Minimum stay:7 nights
Internet:Yes

Pets considered:Yes
Wheel chair accessible:No

Pieve Santo Stefano villa description

Villa Maria is a beautifully restored vacation home with four large bedrooms and 3 full baths, a half bath and vanity. Maria is perfect for 8 people; however, all rooms are spacious so it is possible to add a bed to each bedroom to accommodate children. For groups with need for more space, an adjacent cottage is also available.

Incomparable private setting: Maria is set among vineyards, olive groves and chestnut forests, and is located on a large estate that has been making wine and olive oil for over a thousand years. The views are expansive, of the Lucca and Pisa valley, the forest and the wine estate.

The extensive gardens are private, peaceful and abundant; guests are welcome to use the bounty of the herb and vegetable gardens, lemon trees and orchard or pick some of the prolific flowers for a table decoration or vase in a bedroom. You may also go foraging for wild greens and herbs, including asparagus, fennel, mushrooms, wild mint, and more. A large gas-fired grill stands under a shady tree. A pool sits on one of the terraces with a view of the valley. The surrounding estate offers great opportunities for long walks among the vineyards, olive groves, and forest.

Amid the charms of Toscana: The villa is in the hills 8 kilometers from the jewel town of Lucca in northwest Tuscany, with its famed Renaissance walls, Medieval center, Roman amphitheater, and Baroque gardens. It is about an hour from Florence, and approximately 40 minutes from the quaint fishing village of Lerici, the fashionable beach town of Forte di Marmi, and the happening beaches of Viareggio.

Also close by is the Cinque Terre; Pisa; the Garfagnana, the Tuscan mountain playground, and its national park containing the marble mountains surrounding Carrara. A little further is the famed Etruscan town of Volterra, San Gimignano and Siena. The area boasts two excellent wine DOC’s, Colline Lucchese and Montecarlo. In addition, there are nearby golf courses, spas, and excellent shopping.

Your Home in Tuscany: The feel of a five-hundred-year-old rustic Tuscan dwelling has been preserved, while providing amenities expected by 21st century guests. The house is furnished with antiques, the high ceilings are of terra cotta and chestnut, and the floors are the original cotto. Bathrooms are modern, with counters of marble, and there is plenty of hot water.

Because I like to cook, the kitchen is lavishly equipped with utensils and up-to-date appliances and, of course, colorful dishes and beautiful table linen. If you’d rather be at the table instead of the kitchen, we suggest you use the services of our excellent cook. You can dine al fresco under the leafy pergola, or in the chestnut-beamed dining room. The dining room contains the original grand fireplace and wood-fired oven. There is another fireplace in the living room. The library is well-furnished with Italian and European travel books, as well as general reading.

Windows are large and numerous and equipped with retractable screens. There is central heating for the winter. Sea breezes make the house comfortable in the summer, and all rooms are equipped with fans.

All linens, for bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen and dining room, are provided. The house has a washing machine, dishwasher, hairdryers, iron and ironing board, and racks on which to dry laundry. The sea breeze makes a great dryer, fresh and quick!

We can help with whatever you want to do in Tuscany: With notice, catering is available, and additional cleaning service can be contracted. We can arrange cooking lessons, a pizzamaker to make pizza for your group in the wood-fired oven; wine tours; walking tours; car service; and guides for Lucca, walking or touring the Garfagnana mountain area, the Carrara marble mountains, Puccini’s haunts, museums and other sites in Florence, or any other places and activities, according to your interests. All our staff speak English charmingly and are skilled in their tasks.

Both outdoor and indoor games are provided, including bocce, badminton, board games, cards, jigsaw puzzles and more.

For the comfort of everyone, the accommodations are non-smoking. Well-trained pets are welcome, with notice.

Maria is a dream place to be in all seasons: Every season has its charms: short museum lines and pappardelle di cinghiale by the grand fireplace in winter; lamb and a riot of flowers in the spring; fireflies and abundant veggies in the summer; the vendemmia (grape harvest), olive pressing, and porcini mushrooms in the fall.

It’s my pleasure: Maria has been a wonderful vacation home for me for twelve years, and it’s satisfying to extend that pleasure to others – you will have excellent accommodations, beautiful surroundings and entrée to the incomparable joys of Tuscany. I am happy to make suggestions about what to do and see and the best shops and services, where to get the best cappuccino in the world, the nicest cut of beef, or the tastiest plate of pasta.

Upon arrival, you will be greeted with maps of the area, restaurant recommendations, sight-seeing/shopping information and . . . a glass of wine and traditional Tuscan cookies.

Services included in the rental fee: water, electricity, gas for cooking and hot water, weekly cleaning and fresh linens, grounds and pool maintenance

Fees not included in the rental cost: cleaning and damage deposit of 400 Euro (used if cleaning is necessary beyond normal expectations or damage beyond normal wear aqnd tear).

Services upon request: cleaning/laundry at €15 per hour; additional linen at €10 per person; additional wood at €14 per quintale.

Communications: Service from all European cell phone providers work well in the area, as well as international Blackberry and I-Phone service. Wi-fi is operational in the house.

Keywords: villa, countryside, views, farmhouse, rustic, historical, pool, gardens

Property Type

2 story

Villa

Accommodation Type

Vacation Rental

Meals

Catering Available

Lunch - Booking Possible

Dinner - Booking Possible

Onsite Services

Housekeeper Optional

Massage

Private Chef

Suitability

Non Smoking Only

Children Welcome

Pets Considered

Bedrooms: 4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 12, Beds for 12

Bedroom 1
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Bedroom 2
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Bedroom 3
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Bedroom 4
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King size beds (4) All bedrooms can be set up as king size or as singles, Child Beds (2), Baby Cribs (2). ...more less

Bathrooms: 3 Bathrooms, 1 Half Bathroom

Bathroom 1
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Bathroom 2
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Bathroom 3
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Kitchen & Dining

Kitchen:
Fully, in fact lavishly, equipped with pots and pans on a hanging rack, lots of utensils, new stovetop and oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, many small appliances, including food processor, mixer, juicer, gelato maker, breadmaker, pasta machine, and many et ceteras....more less
Pantry Items:
Starter supplies of herbs and spices, milk, olive oil, salt, pepper, wine, sugar, flour, etc....more less
Catering Available:
Our cook, specializing in the Lucchese kitchen, is available to provide delicious meals...more less
Dining
Child's Highchair

Coffee Maker
Toaster
Dishes & Utensils
Cooking Utensils
Dishwasher

Refrigerator
Stove
Microwave
Seating for 12 people

Amenities

Wood Fireplace:
(2) One grand fireplace in the dining room with adjacent wood burning oven and another fireplace in the living room...more less
Linens Provided:
All linens for bedrooms, bath, kitchen and dining room are provided...more less
Wood Stove:
Original wood burning oven, great for making homemade pizzas!...more less
Iron & Board

Heating
Parking
Washing Machine
Fireplace

Towels Provided
Hair Dryer
Covered Parking
Parking Off Street

Entertainment

Music Library
Video Library

DVD Player
VCR

Stereo
CD Player

Communications

Wireless Internet

Pool & Spa

Private Pool

Outdoor Features

Lanai / Gazebo:
In Italy this would be called a pergola; at Villa Maria it is a large stone-paved area with a vine-covered overhead shelter, with a candelabra and atmospheric lighting. An amazing place for a outdoor dinner with the view of the Lucca hillside....more less

Garden Chairs:
14...more less

Outdoor Grill

Theme

Away From It All

Family

Historic
Romantic

Location & View

Mountain View:
From every room, there is a view over the wooded valleys and hills to the Lucca and Pisa valleys...more less

Activities

Botanical Garden
Mountain Biking
Golf
Cycling
Sailing
Hiking
ATM/Bank
Laundromat
Hospital

Groceries
Fitness Center
Medical Services
Swimming
Massage Therapist
Shopping
Sight Seeing
Outlet Shopping
Scenic Drives

Antiquing
Winery Tours
Health/Beauty Spa
Restaurants
Theme Parks
Museums
Churches
Walking
Tennis

Rates

Rental basis: Per property

Dates	Nightly	Weekend Night	Weekly	Monthly *	Event

High May 1 - Oct 31, 2014 7 night min stay			€2,400

Low Season Nov 1 - Apr 30, 2015 7 night min stay			€1,800

Additional information about rental rates

Fees:

Refundable Damage Deposit €250
Taxes Not included

Notes:

Deposit payment is 1/3 of the total rental fee; booking is confirmed upon receipt of the deposit & booking form.

Deposit & balance may be paid by check, by PayPal, with a 3% surcharge, or by wire transfer. Payment details are included in the booking form.

Always make sure to call the number on the listing to confirm payment details.
Only pay using credit card, PayPal, check or direct bank transfer. NEVER pay by cash or instant money transfer services such as Western Union or MoneyGram. Learn more

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Calendar

Last updated: 07/17/2014

Check availability

Previous Next

23 Available

21 Unavailable

22 Today

23 Selected dates

Location

25 Kilometres

Nearest Airport

Pisa

10 Kilometres

Nearest Train

Lucca

12 Kilometres

Nearest Motorway

Lucca

25 Kilometres

Nearest Beach

Mediterranean

8 Kilometres

Nearest Barpub

Sant'Alessio

25 Kilometres

Nearest Golf

Versilia

5 Kilometres

Nearest Restaurant

Lombardo

Car: Necessary

Villa Maria is the perfect place for an authentic Tuscan experience. We can help you enhance your Italian vacation and arrange a variety of unique, personalized experiences including cooking lessons, wine tours and guides for the Lucca, Gargagnana mountain area, Florence, Puccini's haunts, and much, much more. We provide recommendations for the best restaurant, sites, out-of-the-ordinary shopping experiences and whatever else you may be interested in.

With notice, an accomplished chef can be available for individual meals or for the duration of your stay, with notice, and for longer stays, additional cleaning services can be contracted.

Owner info

Year Purchased: 2000

Why the Owner Chose Pieve Santo Stefano:
The question was never 'why'; the question was always 'why not'. Warm and welcoming people, a house with history, the quiet of the countryside, a kitchen that supports my passion/obsession for cooking, 360 degree views, marvelous wine country, exquisite olive oil, quick access to the best features of Tuscany including the beaches on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, the medieval town of Lucca, the tourist favorites of Pisa and Florence, and on and on.

The Unique Benefits at this Villa:
The loudest sound is the birds, the popping of a champagne cork, or the sound of children giggling in the pool. The bounty of nature is at your disposal; wild greens, the kitchen herb garden or the vegetable garden offer everything you could need for an unforgettable Italian cooking and dining experience. Later, you can walk it off among the vineyards, olive groves and lush forest. A five-minute drive brings you to my favorite restaurant; a 20 minute drive to the jewel town of Lucca; 40 minutes to the sea, and an hour to the Renaissance city of Florence.

Contact us

Speaks: italian, english

Links to more information:

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Guestbook comments from the owner

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Photos

Paradise with breathtaking views of the Lucca and Pisa valleys
Luxurious sleeping under traditional chestnut-beamed ceiling
Many memories and many good meals have been created here
Informal Brunch under the Pergola
Lemons Ready for Limoncello
Vineyards in Autumn
Lucca's Hometown Boy
Biking the Lucca Walls

We're a perfect setting for reunions, anniversaries and gatherings of all kinds
The Pensatoio, the perfect place for a reading a book or enjoying the view
Holiday Bliss
Carrara Marble in Bathrooms
Tuscan sun pours through the windows!
Raiding the Garden for Dinner
A new friend you will make on the estate
The Amphitheater in Reflection

VRBO #282257

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This listing was first published here in 2010.

Date last modified - Monday, June 23, 2014

Tuscan Villa with Pool & Gardens

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