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Casa Volpe Ada, farmhouse in Lucca Tuscany. Casa Ada is the handy work of an owner extra-ordinare. You should see Gulia (the owner), in motion. She puts the most Type A, multi-tasker to shame. The result of this proud owner is that Casa Michele and Ada are about as impressive as a country house can be. Gulia has the energy of General Electric (she is a public doctor, a private doctor, owns this house, owns and is renovating an old convent, likes to cook, landscapes, gardens - and that's just what I know!) has done an exhaustive renovation and put every tasteful and charming thing possible into the house. And after several years of representation, we found that no one is dissatisfied here - no one. With Volpe you have two rentals side by side. One on the left - Ada, and one on the right - Michele...no doubt as reference to the original family as it grew in the 1800's. They are together again in the countryside near Lucca, basking in the Tuscan sun, and inviting you to do the same in affordable authenticity. Everything about this is perfect - the interior is quite nice, the outdoor areas, the al fresco and the swimming pool that turned our heads. Just walking down the sculpted garden steps to the pool area is nice alone. Both rentals, Ada and Michelle sleep 8, and can be rented together with a communicating door, where of course you have 16 people.
Perfect for: Friends and families, especially two families wanting a little privacy.
The Details:
ADA
Ground floor: living room, dining room, fully equipped kitchen, full bathroom with shower.
First floor: Two double bedrooms, one twin bedroom, one smaller twin bedroom for kids. Three bathrooms with tub and one bathroom with shower.
Services, Features, Amenities:
Central Heating
Fireplace,
Air Conditioned,
CD Player,
Washing Machine,
Satellite TV,
Internet and Computer,
Oven,
American Coffee Maker,
Refridgerator,
Outdoor Furniture,
Grill / BBQ,
Outdoors Gym,
Al Fresco Dining,
Dishwasher,
Cellphone
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Although we are biased on such matters, and may be preaching to the choir, Lucca is arguably the best city in Tuscany. It is also the closest to most of our Lucca based rentals. There are loads of reasons this is a great place to visit (olive oil for example, lack of tourists another). To the benefit of you and the proud locals, Lucca has completely retained the original thick walls around the centro storico. As the wide walls lost their military importance, abruptly ended with the conquering Bonaparte in 1805, no match for his modern might, they became as they are today: a pedestrian only park that rings the city entirely providing a wonderful view of the countryside and city below. Lucca is a perfect place to spend a day, or when you have a little extra time between other touring, you can easily slug it in and never tire of its streets, alleys, sights and shops. It is a perfect place to walk around, the walls not withstanding (in fact for the walls we suggest renting a bike and seeing the city that way - on the walls and off). We fondly call it "Florence without the scooters, people or museums." But still enough great restaurants, piazze, cafes, gelati and upscale shopping to attract the discerning folk. Here is a quick guide to our favorite restaurants (also found in more detail on our recommended restaurants in Lucca page):
Da Giulio, on via Conce Piazza San Donato
La Buca, on via della Cervia
Osteria Baralla, on via Anfiteatro
Antico Cafe, on Piazzale Vittorio Emanuele
Touring Ideas:
Segromigno (shops and ristorante) - 1 km.
Lucca -8 km.
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