STUNNING RENAISSANCE VILLA NESTED IN TUSCAN HILLSIDE. SLEEPS 20

has been furnished throughout with simple but high-quality antique furniture in a variety of traditional styles, featuring lovely natural wood and comfortable plush upholstery.

Villa Menocchi is laid out over three floors.

The ground floor has three double bedrooms and three bathrooms. Full of character, one bedroom was the original wine cellar while another was the former olive oil storage room. There are two spacious reception rooms on this level. One is 70 square metres and has a beautiful brick-vaulted/wood-beamed ceiling, while the other features a large central stone fireplace. The ground floor also has a very large rustic-style kitchen that is fully equipped for self-catering. It houses all the appliances needed for a relaxing holiday such as a dishwasher and an American style coffee machine. It even features an original yet perfectly working 16th century wood-burning oven which is perfect for pizza nights!!

The next floor accommodates the former aristocratic daytime-quarters. This includes a huge majestic living-room measuring 150 square metres! The enormous original stone fireplace stills stands here in pride of place. French doors open on to the beautiful ‘loggia’, a porticoed terrace with a partially frescoed ceiling, that looks out over the olive groves and woods to the rear of the house. This loggia is one of the property’s most significant assets. It is undoubtedly the best spot to linger over an aperitif at sunset, to enjoy a leisurely meal al fresco, and to admire the spectacular views that the Tuscan hillside offers . Comfortably upholstered wicker chairs invite you to relax and unwind, while large, brightly planted terracotta tubs adorn the surroundings, from where a staircase leads down directly into the gardens. The first floor also houses the dining-room, a study and a service-bathroom. A further living space is provided by the charming tower-room, where the superb original fireplace and the terracotta-tiled/wood-beamed ceiling and wooden floors have been eye-catchingly retained.

The second floor accommodates a vast elegant hall, whose high ceiling features terracotta tiling and wooden beams. Here again the massive old stone fireplace forms a focal point.

Leading off this hall are six bedrooms each with their own private en-suite bathroom. Equipped with high quality comfortable mattresses and with hydro-massage tubs or Jacuzzi in most of the bathrooms our guests can enjoy complete relaxation. This floor also boosts spectacular unspoilt panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and admire the medieval towers of Lucca.

Villa Menocchi is set in extensive grounds, which includes a delightful olive grove, and as such offers a peaceful haven of retreat. Screened by low shrubs, trees and exotic pot-plants, the jewel of the garden is an original Renaissance bath which has been transformed into a lovely pool for a refreshing dip on hot summer days. Here, sunbeds tempt you to take it easy between dips in the refreshing waters of the pool. A second swimming pool that has been cut out of natural stone is hidden away in a secluded spot on a raised lawn terrace. This also has a wonderful, uninterrupted backdrop of wooded hills and the Lucca valley and is likewise screened by hedges, so that poolside sunbathers are guaranteed undisturbed privacy.

Tables and chairs underneath a pergola covered by a profusely rambling grapevine offers an alternative spot for alfresco dining.

The mature grounds of Villa Menocchi provide the perfect setting for your memorable event such as a wedding, birthday celebration, private party etc.

For those of you who fancy spending a night or two in Lucca, L'Antica Bifore, our XIV century guesthouse located right in the heart of the historical medieval centre offers exclusive alternative accommodation. For further information please visit www.anticabifore.com