Lucca Holiday Farmhouse, Il Fienile, holiday rental for golf holidays in Tuscany, Italy

Lucca holiday farmhouse "Il Fienile" in San Macario in Monte, Tuscany. Self-catering for 8-14; maid; pool; 20 acre olive grove; quiet; Florence 45min

Astride a turn in the hillside, known as A Capo, lay a farm with exceptional views (incl. Leaning Tower of Pisa, 12 miles south) and two buildings: Il Fienile and La Casa Padronale. Abandoned, overgrown, collapsed. Until recently. A new owner has returned some 1000 olive trees to production and (using the Ferrari construction company and international Realtors Knight Frank) restored Il Fienile, sparing no expense to use traditional terracotta and chestnut materials. The result: 250 sq m farmhouse villa, meeting all requirements of today's market: interior design; satellite TV + 5.1 DVD; Eco-efficient solar-powered under-floor heating; WiFi; air-conditioning; infinity pool. 4 lavishly appointed double/twin bedrooms (all en-suite); can sleep 6 more (basic). Large kitchen, dining room, 50sq m living room. Stunning south-facing panorama over Pisa and Lucca, towards Florence & Siena. 2 terraces shaded by chestnut pergolas;10 mins to shops + all major Tuscan culture within 1.5hr. Quiet.

Il Fienile lies on one of the most sought-after hillsides in north west Tuscany. Only 15 mins drive from the outstanding walled city of Lucca (known as the world's largest open-air museum), and in view of The Leaning Tower of Pisa, the south-facing hillside is covered with groves which yield some the world's best olive oil (Lucca DOP) and the vineyards of the Colline Lucchese DOC. The upper San Macario in Monte area has recently become an official Nature Reserve. The culture and museums of Florence are within an hour's drive (also accessible by train), and San Gimignano and Siena are within 90 minutes. The coast and beach resorts of Forte di Marmi, Pietrasanta and Viareggio are some 15 miles west. The area is abundant with bars and restaurants of all levels from pizzerias, basic Tuscan countryside trattorias through to Michelin starred restaurants. Sports are also well served, including 7 golf courses within one hour's drive. The Garfagnana National Park is just to the North.

Accommodation:  Il Fienile is beautifully presented and interior-designed in traditional Tuscan style, touched by modern luxury... All with a tasteful mix of antique and modern furniture and fabrics from Busatti, traditional Tuscan artisan fabric designers.

Lower floor : Hall with stairs to upper floor, main entrance door to garage and corridors to Dining Room ,Kitchen, La Camera Rosa - Principal Guest Bedroom Suite and La Camera Verde Guest Bedroom. In addition, there are two further Ancillary Bedrooms both with bunk beds, one further Shower Room, Laundry facilities and a small Office.

Upper floor: Stairs to the magnificent large beamed Soggiorno (living room - 50m2), off which lies a small 2nd Kitchen (open to guests only by arrangement). A Lobby opens to a small Guest WC and the Upper Corridor off which are La Camera Gialla Guest Bedroom and La Camera Grigia Master Guest Bedroom Suite.

Outside : Two large terraces, covered with pergolas and both with outstanding panoramas towards the distant Leaning Tower of Pisa, provide outside seating, cocktail and dining areas. A path leads up to the Infinity Pool (12x6m) and beyond it to seating areas in the woods. Paths also run across the 20 acres of woodland, disused vineyards, newly planted orchard and active olive farm, with further seating areas. Walks across the hillside to the nearby monastery, Villa Forci vineyard and more distant but reachable restaurants are accessible from paths across the estate.

The Pool: Grassed paths from both patios lead up to the 12x6m infinity swimming pool with stunning views across the plain of Lucca to the Pisan mountains, distant Pisa and (on a clear day) the mountains of Elba (some 100 miles away). The facilities include a children's paddling pool, terracotta patio, paved sun terrace and grassed shaded terrace with sun-loungers, bench, wooden tables and chairs. The pool is protected by fencing (1.2m high), hedges, walls and/or gates.

Golf: Il Fienile is especially suited to golfers. The house is owned by the editor/photographer of the acclaimed Pocket Guide to Golf Courses series, written with NZ tour pro and course designer Greg Turner, who is a regular guest here. We are extremely well-connected within the Italian golf world, and can arrange tailor-made golf or golf and culture holidays, from a self-catering basis right through to a tour hosted by Greg Turner or other golf playing/course design/photography professionals, as suits the interests of the party. We organise golf+culture tours of Tuscany: there are 7 courses within 1 hour of Il Fienile, including Versilia (revised by JM Olazabal) on the coast, the famous Ugolino (Italian Open venue) outside Florence and the stunning setting of Poggio dei Medici, north of Florence. Our disused vineyard may be used as a practice fairway. Discover the underestimated charm of Italian golf, and see the culture of Tuscany - all in one go!

Versilia Golf Club

The course, set like a diamond between the Apuan Alps and the sea, has been designed by the hand of the famous and creative Venetian architect Marco Croze. The Versilia Golf Club is an island in full bloom extending on the territories of Pietrasanta, Forte dei Marmi and Montignoso. A matchless landscape that fascinated the regular customers of the Versilia Golf Club, who, even if playing a few hundred meters away from the sea, take advantage of the Apuan Alps peaks and use them as a “target” for their own tee shot

Golf dell ‘Ugolino
A natural course, difficult, for differences in levels, the handicaps, the small and well defended greens. Considered one of the most suggestive natural golf course of the worls, it has been named among the 50 most beautiful golf course of the world by the American writer Chris Santella.

Poggio dei Medici Golf and Country Club

The golf course was designed by Baldovino Dassù and Alvise Rossi Fioravanti and it is an impressive and entertaining course to play. It is a championship course built according to USGA standards. The golf course is challenging for both beginner and advanced players, including those who enjoy playing at competition levels.

For more information, availability and prices please contact us::

Tel: +44 7733 322151

E Mail: seafordeholidays@gmail.com

Website: www.stpetroc.com/tuscany