Located on a hill in Gattaiola, this classic and comfortable Italian "home away from home" was perfectly located for my taste, far enough away from the traffic noise of nearby Lucca but close enough to the town center to be sure not to miss out on the many events going on there each day. We were a group of friends, 3 couples, who happily met up for a few weeks to explore this region. This villa has many sizable bedrooms, each sporting large windows that look out onto the countryside. The high ceilings, with timber beams, expanded the space dramatically. The antique furniture throughout is beautiful and authentic. The beds are large comfy. The bathrooms are modern. Very classy! Additionally, our host went to great lengths to assemble an informative binder of the many distinctly different and wonderful day trips visitors can take in the surrounding areas. This was extremely useful / helpful, providing more information than I would have discovered online. I am forever grateful for her effort. Though we often ate out at fantastic local restaurants, it was especially nice to be able to cook and feast, around the large family table, in the kitchen with our friends after a full day in the countryside. We had a wonderful 2+ weeks! I highly recommend booking this villa for an extended stay in Italy.

Gattaiola was an absolutely magical place for our stay in the Lucca countryside. The house was warm, inviting, spacious, and cozy. Walks in the countryside were very therapeutic. The large kitchen was perfect for our extended family to gather after a long day touring, to chat, cook, and enjoy each other's company. Only 10 minutes from grocery stores and restaurants in Lucca, where we spent an enjoyable 2 days looking around. Easy drive to other destinations in or near Tuscany--we went to Florence, Pisa, Siena, and Cinque Terre from this house as our base of operations. It was difficult to leave, and we want to go back on holiday to this wonderful farmhouse!

We are home about a week now and I want to write and tell you a bit about our trip to Italy, including our stay in this marvelous farmhouse villa. It was WONDERFUL. We had a few days in NYC, a few days in Venice, and a day on each end for travel, which was lovely all-in-all. But the two weeks in Lucca were just lovely, and beyond our dreams. We jumped right in and felt right at home. We ate at the Osteria di Meati three times I think. I am a vegetarian and immediately fell in love with Mistra di farro…could not get enough! We found a great place to park outside the wall of Lucca, which gave us a quick entrance to the city and gave us a chance to get acquainted with the train station which we used a few times (once to Florence and once to Siena). We were 10 people for a few days, but mostly had 5 in residence at the villa. The location worked out well for the areas we had planned to visit and for the red Fiat we had rented. I had stayed in Florence on a previous trip, but could not believe how crowed it was this time. San Gimignano was very crowded also. Lucca was just perfect! I love the size and pace of the city, and will love to return some day. We noticed how green the countryside was of course, coming from drought-ridden SoCal. And, we loved how fresh the food was. Seven of us went to Chef Paolo Monti's Cooking School for one class, and it was fabulous, and a real high point of the trip. My son is a pretty serious cyclist and brought his bicycle. He was able to do (4) 40+mile rides, including one over the hill to Pisa. He was in heaven! His son loved the flora and fauna of the villa…found slugs, and insects of every conceivable make and model, and practiced his catch-and-release policy. It was a great family trip and I thank you so much for making your Italian home available to us. It was a dream! So, thanks again for everything! It was lovely being there and sooooo tough to leave.

We could not have been more pleased. We arrived at this impeccably clean country villa with all the local charm one would seek in Italy. This country villa offers the best of country living close to the charming city of Lucca, less than an hours drive to Florence. The owners and caretaker were kind and helpful. The home is suitable for a large family or smaller unit with two floors, a bathroom on each floor. Thank you for the perfect blend of relax and rejuvenation.