House in Lucca San Martino - TFR67

One of those ubiquitous abandoned farmhouses scattered across the Tuscan landscape has been turned into an elegant family accommodation for up to 5 people.  Villa Casa San Martino has been tastefully decorated with a mix of modern and antique Italian furniture.  Terracotta floors are downstairs and wooden floors upstairs.  Very thick stone walls allow the house to be cool in summer and warm in the winter.  Originally constructed as a stone barn, in which hay was stored on the first floor and animals were kept on the ground floor.  After decades of non-use, a complete refurbishing began, respecting the original structure using the original beams, tiles and arches.  The ancient terracotta tiles on the windows are called 'mandolato'.  These 'mandolato' windows are respected as an old form of Tuscan architecture, and they are protected by the Italian Building Authorities.  In the past 'mandolato' windows functioned as a vent to allow the air to pass through in order to dry out the hay. Today they are considered precious and cannot be removed when renovating.

In a typical Italian home, the most important room in the house is the kitchen. Villa Casa San Martinohas a very impressive kitchen area.  The fine farmer's style kitchen with its rustic design is quite spacious, beautiful and practical.  The fittedScavolini  kitchen is new and fully equipped.  As an 'eat-in' kitchen there is a long table for comfortable dining;  there is also a table outside for eating 'all'aperto';  as well as a third table (that can be made larger) in the dining room. 

Ground floor:  The ground floor area is divided into two large spaces demarcated by several original arches.  The first half is the entrance area and living room with fireplace, satellite TV and DVD player; and the other half accommodates the kitchen.  At the back of the kitchen there is a bathroom with a shower; and a small room with laundry facilities.

First floor:  The first floor has a reading area with bookshelves, a desk and a CD/radio/stereo system; the desk in this area can be removed and an extra single bed can be placed there upon request.  The first bedroom is a large room with two single beds, a high beamed ceiling, and a spacious bathroom across the hall.  The second bedroom is the suite bedroom with antique furniture, high beamed ceilings, and a bathroom with shower.

Outdoors:  There is a large space on the front side of the house for sunning and barbecue. There is a table and chairs outside.

Amenities: Kitchen full equipped, Satellite TV, 2 DVD players, Dishwasher, Washing-machine, Central heating. 

Very easy road access to the beautiful fortified city of Lucca (10 km-6 miles) or to the beach at Viareggio (18 km-11 miles), Forte dei Marmi (20 km-12 miles)

Other Tuscan cities easily within reach:

-Florence  (90 km-56 miles)

-Pisa (34km-21 miles)

-Cinque Terre (Lerici) 64 km- 40 miles, here you catch the boat and take a short

 boat ride

-Siena (151 km-94 miles)

-San Gimignano  (135 km- 84 miles)

Activities nearby: Golf and Tennis court (500 mt);

                         Children's playground

                          Football/soccer field

                          Hiking/Walking/Nature Trails

                          Cycling                        

                          Italian cooking courses

                          Learn Italian language

Services nearby (under a 5 minute walk): 

Banking

Post Office

Pharmacy

Bread Shop/Bakers

Super-market (daily fresh food  and vegetables)

Snack Bar/Pastry Shop

Flower Shop

Enoteca -- serves local wines and appetisers made with local

ham/salami/cheese

Restaurants/Pizzerias

Wash/Dry Automatic Service

Laundry

Gas-station

Newstand  carrying foreign

newspapers

Hairdresser

Tuscany Villas - Lucca Villas at their best!

Just a stone's throw away is the Renaissance Church of San Martino with its medieval bell tower.  When the windows are open, one can hear the sweet, ethereal music emanating from the church bells. The Church of San Martino has a large play area for children, and a football field.

Children welcome

No pets;

No smoking.