SOGGIORNO
Near Lucca, Tuscany
Sleeps 10-13 in 5 bedrooms/5.5 bathrooms; annex with 2 bedrooms/1 bathroom; air-conditioned, with pool, staff — STAFF FAVORITE!
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Soggiorno, originally a farmhouse and oil mill, has been beautifully and lovingly restored, with every modern comfort and convenience in mind. Located just ten minutes from Lucca, in the pretty valley of Vorno, Soggiorno is near a small village (15-20 minute walk) and within easy reach of Pisa (20 min.), Florence (1.5 hrs), Siena (1.5 hrs) and the sea (35 min). An hour north along the coast is the Cinqueterre, known for its spectacular hiking and views. Visit the Carrara marble quarries, where Michelangelo got his pure white marble. Another half hour north are the famous towns of the Italian Riviera — Portofino, Santa Margherita and Rapallo. Facilities for golf (30 min), tennis (10 min) and horseback riding (10 min) are nearby.

Today the rooms of the old mill have become intimate and luxurious living rooms, full of warmth and welcome, with a fireplace, vaulted ceilings and traditional stonework. Furnishings have been carefully and patiently selected, with period furniture and splendid decorative objects.

Ground floor:

• living room with fireplace
• dining room with vaulted ceilings
• office with computer
• large eat-in kitchen with microwave, dishwasher
• laundry

Second floor:

• 1 master bedroom (queen bed), en suite bath
• 3 queen bedrooms with bathrooms en suite
• 1 twin bedroom with bathroom en suite

Three of the bedrooms rooms face north with views to the hills and valley, and two face south, overlooking the brook and garden. Bathrooms have tub, shower and heated towel racks.

Additional sleeping space is available in the annex (additional cost), with two bedrooms (one queen, one ¾ size bed) and one bathroom with shower.

The garden is filled with potted lemons, olive trees, pines, camellias, wisteria, roses, lavendar, rosemary and fruit trees. The salt-water swimming pool (16 x 8 meters) has a diving board and changing booth. Relax beneath a natural pergola of the wisteria or dine al fresco on the private patio just outside the dining room.

Amenities include central air-conditioning (with individual controls in each bedroom), satellite TV, CD stereo, telephone/fax, computer with internet connection.

The owner lives in a separate villa on the estate, but the plantings have been arranged to give a feeling of privacy.

Guests are welcomed with a basket of food.