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| Details | |
|---|---|
| Bedrooms | 5 |
| Bathrooms | 4 |
| Sleeps | 10 |
| Villa | |
| Suitability |
|---|
| No Pets |
| No Smoking |
| Suitable for Children |
| FlipKey traveler rating |
| 14 reviews |
| Stayed here? Write a review. |
Get the real scoop!
All reviews are written by verified travelers
Details
| Rental type | Villa |
| Minimum Stay | 7 nights |
| Living space | 5000 square feet |
| Bedrooms |
5 Total
Show Details ►
|
| Bathrooms |
4 Total
Show Details ►
|
| Sleeps | 10 |
| Suitability |
Pet friendlyNo Smoking allowedNo Suitable for childrenYes Suitable for the elderlyAsk Wheelchair accessibleNo |
| Theme | Historic, Luxury, Romantic, River, Rural, Town |
Description from the owner
The villa, built in the 1870's, sits on top of a hill overlooking green fields and vineyards towards the south and west. On a property of about five acres, the garden offers complete privacy, and a variety of walks and quiet places. Only ten minutes from the center of Lucca, the surroundings are open farmland, with a church on a higher hill and farms and villas to dot the landscape. The area offers the best of what Tuscany is known and loved for: an unforgettable countryside, a beautiful medieval town full of art and precious boutiques, Summer festivals with opera and concerts, wines to forget oneself in, and of course renowned and unknown re...Read more
Amenities
Location
BELL'ESTATE
Lucca, Tuscany, Italy
What's Nearby:
Additional Location Information
Lucca has everything to offer, from museums to theater, opera, cinemas, elegant boutiques, gourmet shops, restaurants, wine stores, supermarkets, cafes, and an important antiques market once a month. From Lucca It is extremely easy to reach the beaches of Viareggio, as well as the Apennine mountains for hiking trips and winter skiing. Florence, with all it has to offer, is only 45 minutes away by car. The airport of Pisa (PSA) is reachable in half an hour.
Location Type River, Rural, Town
Rates
Rates shown in $ USD (Rental listed originally in EUR) (change)
| Date | Weeknight | Weekend Night | Weekly | Monthly | Minimum Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate Summary | $919 | $919 | $4,019 - $6,431 | $0 | 7 nights |
| Jan. 12 2013 - Mar. 29 2013 Low Season |
- | - | $4,019 | - | 7 nights |
| Mar. 30 2013 - Jun. 28 2013 Mid Season |
- | - | $5,627 | - | 7 nights |
| Jun. 28 2013 - Aug. 30 2013 High Season |
- | - | $6,431 | - | 7 nights |
| Aug. 31 2013 - Nov. 1 2013 Mid Season |
- | - | $5,627 | - | 7 nights |
| Nov. 2 2013 - Dec. 20 2013 Low Season |
- | - | $4,019 | - | 7 nights |
| Can't find rates for your travel dates? Contact the owner | |||||
| Dec. 21 2013 - Jan. 10 2014 Holidays |
- | - | $6,431 | - | 7 nights |
| Jan. 11 2014 - Mar. 28 2014 Low Season |
- | - | $4,019 | - | 7 nights |
| All Other Dates | $919 | $919 | $6,431 | - | 7 nights |
| View all 8 Rate Periods | |||||
Rental fees
- Damage deposit - $670 - Security Deposit
Additional notes from owner
A 500 Euro cash security deposit will be due upon arrival. This deposit will be returned to you at your departure if nothing is found to be missing or damaged.
ARRIVAL POLICY: Since this house is not a hotel, we unfortunately do not have flexibility for your arrival time. YOU MUST MAKE YOUR TRAVEL PLANS TO ENSURE THAT YOU ARRIVE AT THE HOUSE BETWEEN 4PM AND 7PM. You cannot arrive earlier, because we need time to prepare the house for you. You cannot arrive later, because a person who does not live on the premises will be sent specifically to meet you, and this person is not available after hours. If there is a chance that you might arrive late, you should make plans to stay at a hotel and arrive the following day. You will not be reimbursed for the cost of the hotel. This applies also in case of a delay that is beyond your control, such as a flight cancellation, or a train strike. We apologize for the inconvenience, but we cannot accommodate late arrival under any circumstances.
Our weeks go from Saturday to Saturday
Availability
AvailableUnavailable Last updated: June 13, 2013 ◀▶
What Past Guests Are Saying
Overall Rating
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Perfect Villa Stay near Lucca, Tuscany
SeattlePerfect Villa Stay in Tuscany near Lucca
Left on 09/27/2012 for a stay in August 2012
This stunning, private villa is the setting for a perfect vacation in the Tuscany area. Located near Lucca on a hillside with other houses in the distance, there is plenty of space on approximately five acres to feel like you can simply relax and enjoy yourself. The house and grounds are magnificent with features to satisfy those who appreciate quality in a home, attention to detail, and a lovely garden. The living room, library, dining areas, and bedrooms are beautifully appointed and reflect the trust and care of the owners.
Those seeking solitude will find what they are looking for here-a quiet spot outside in the garden or in the lovely living room or library. There is plenty of space for children to play on the grass or for friends and family to gather in the outdoor patio area. For the cook, the fully stocked kitchen is delightful. Choosing to eat at the kitchen table, at the beautifully appointed dining room, or outdoors makes dining a celebration! Choosing Tuscan wines to accompany a meal from shops in nearby Lucca adds another wonderful dimension to the trip.
Bell' Estate has something for everyone. For the athlete or casual swimmer, the long, wide lap pool is ideal as is a nearby path along the river for walks, runs, and biking. For those who love history and culture, the home and property, nearby Lucca, and the hills of Tuscany provide ample grounds for study and exploration. The house and grounds are lovingly tended and reflect the grace and hospitality of the owners, who open their lovely home to guests like my friends and I. It was a wonderful vacation possible only because of the attention and care provided by the owners to make this experience so lovely.
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Natalia
MoscowUnforgettable, very special experience!
Left on 08/22/2012 for a stay in August 2012
My experience of staying in Bell'Estate was a mind changing one, the one that tought me to see the difference between a real jewel and a fake one.
When we entered the gates and saw the house, I was a bit confused. It is not something you expect to see at a holiday villa. The house is very old, huge and stunning. It is a real piece of history. Inside and outside. It's like going back in time, really... It is real. You could see people living there more than a hundred years ago. You feel as if those people were your great grandparents. As if you are a part of it... And you learn to love the house, to care about it.
The grounds of the villa are substantial. The pool is magnificent - very big, warm and with beautiful views. My kids (5, 3 and 1) loved playing with the stones, picking tomatoes from the small garden. The huge staircase that's in the house was no trouble at all for them.
Another special aspect of the house is the people who look after it. Alessandra, the owner, was very helpful from the very beginning until the last minute of our stay. You will be delighted to see her brochure that tells you everything you need and even more. Cinzia, the cleaner, comes three times a week and does her job very professionally (which is hard to find in rental villas, talking from experience). And our gardener (who all of the women in our group fell in love with) came every morning to make sure the grounds and the swimming pool are perfect.
We loved our time in Bell'Estate and hope to return one day. -
lcalderon
San Francisco, CaliforniaWe did not want to leave!!
Left on 07/17/2012 for a stay in June 2012
My family (my mom, myself and my husband, my sister and her husband) stayed at Bell'Estate for a week in June and it was a fantastic visit. The house itself is stunning and the property is gorgeous. The kitchen was very well-equipped and made cooking meals very very easy, and the house is situated close to some fantastic restaurants. We all agreed that the pool was one of the best pools we have ever been in, and we spent much of our time relaxing in and around the pool. We followed alessandra's instructions about how to keep the house cool and keep the mosquitos out and never had a problem. She was super helpful and easy to reach during our stay. We will definitely return to Bell'Estate -- it was hard to leave!
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Robert Teitelbaum
MontrealMy Canadian counterparts
Left on 07/13/2012 for a stay in July 2010
I am returning to alessandra's Spectacular properties in one week.It will be my third time.I have been anticipating this for 6 months.I have read the review from my Canadian counterpart...and it occurs to me that there are some people who even when they are lucky enough to be deposited in paradise,will look to find something to complain about.Truthfully,it astounds me ( I am a divorce lawyer and not easily astounded).
Normally,when one sees pictures on the web,it will always appear more attractive than the reality.Her Magnificant properties are the exception.I won't go into detail other than to say that when you arrive...it takes your breath away.Over and above that...the degree of care and attention that alessandra extends is heartwarming and second to none. I consider myself priviledged to have happened to cross her path four years ago.
Robert Teitelbaum
www.quebecfamilylaw.com
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faishaq
DallasWhat an amazing place!
Left on 07/12/2012 for a stay in June 2012
We just returned from a week at the Bell' Estate and it was phenomenal. The house is beautiful, the grounds are stunning and the pool is the best pool I have ever seen in a home. There was plenty of space for a group of 9, the kids were on cloud nine running around the property, playing table tennis, and spending countless hours in the divine pool. The location was great--a short drive to the center of Lucca which we found to be a charming town. Our original plans were to explore the whole of Tuscany but once we got to the Bell Estate we decided to stay put and just enjoy the Lucca area. Alessandra and Sonia were great to deal with--very hospitable and professional. We will be back!!!
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Éric
ParisLa toscane telle que nous l'avions rêvée...
Left on 07/01/2012 for a stay in August 2011
Nous avons loue cette belle maison il y a trois pour la première fois. Depuis nous la louons chaque été, et nous y retournons dans quelques semaines. Je voulais garder ce lieu pour nous et ne pas écrire sur le site, mais la description que nos amis canadiens ont faite de ce magnifique endroit est injuste. Oui les chaises ne sortent pas du magasin, oui le barbecue n est pas le dernier modèle achète en hâte au supermarché du coin,...tout ici est ancien, tout à une âme. Le jardin immense est superbe, chacun y trouve son endroit, la piscine de 25 mètres de couleur sombre est incontournable, la maison est noble, on retrouve l atmosphère de Visconti, les persiennes lourdes qui cache le soleil, l ombre et la lumière, chaque objet est la depuis des décennies, des familles ont vécu ici, les livres, la culture , la beauté, l harmonie, ces après midi de lecture interrompues par des siestes sous les arbres, Lucca, sublimissime à deux pas, ses ruelles parfumées par les échoppes des commerçants, je n echangerai jamais cela pour le confort de la dernière chaise idea ou le barbecue à gaz ! Mais c est un choix, un style de vie. Des amis sont passés nous saluer, ils ne voulaient plus repartir, lorsqu ils avaient goûte les tomates du jardin et le vin de Toscane. Amateurs de plages bruyantes, de fast food, de modernité, évitez cet endroit, il n est pas pour vous...nous en prendrons soin.
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The Bayer Family
Munich, GermanyThe perfect vacation
Left on 06/25/2012 for a stay in June 2012
As soon as we arrived at Bell'Estate we knew we were in for a wonderful vacation. The setting of the villa and the surrounding gardens is breathtaking and absolutely private. The interior of the villa is stunning, tastefully furnished, welcoming, and never overwhelming. We - that's my husband and I and our two children (1 & 3) - felt right at home and loved exploring the gorgeous rooms as well as the grounds.
The clear advantage of Bell'Estate over other vacation rentals we had used in the past is the fact that it is not a rental but a real home. I have never seen a better equipped kitchen with pots and pans in various sizes suitable for cooking for small or very large groups. For our meals we had the choice between breakfast room, formal dining room, eat-in kitchen or al fresco dining under the beautiful trees. Also on the ground floor is a very large living room with ample seating, as well as a beautiful study. The bedrooms are upstairs off a huge hall. Ours were very big with comfy beds. Our kids once slept till 9am - this alone is reason enough to come back.
An absolute highlight of the place is the gigantic swimming pool. It's located on a large lawn below the villa with a great view too. It has a shallow part which is great for kids (or adults just wanting to hang out).
Even though the villa is in a rural area it's only a stone throw away from Lucca. Lucca is a beautiful town with much fewer tourists than other Tuscan towns. We loved to stroll around town, explored little restaurants and enjoyed delicious meals and of course ice cream.
Thanks to Sonia for the warm welcome, Cinzia for all her help and of course alessandra for opening up her home for others to enjoy.
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jackgeo154943
Vancouver, CanadaHad a wonderful time but...
Left on 06/17/2012 for a stay in May 2012
The house is large, formal and reasonably well equipped. Alessandra, the owner, and her sister, Sonia,- who is on site - were attentive and welcoming. It is not a purpose run vacation rental but more like someone's home.
We chose a week there as part of a graduation from Medical School celebration for our family and their spouses primarily because of the size and many bathrooms. Overall we had a lovely time but there were a couple of niggles: First, the orientation from Sonia was frightening in the very firm instruction that we had to lock ourselves into the house every night behind iron-barred wooden doors - which we ignored as to do so would impede escape if there was a fire - and an admonition to only use the lights and electrics sparingly because it costs so much in Italy. Both of these were 'over the top'. Second, the outdoor furniture was old and in poor repair, with the chairs, resulting in a couple of hilarious tip overs - by our daughters who are both rather petite - when the material/wood gave way beneath them. Third, the barbeque, when we eventually located it in a disused shed, was something that would not have been out of place on Noah's ark. Fourth, the beds were way too hard for Canadian tastes. Fifth, the laundry facilities did not include a clothes drier which we view as a necessity.
These niggles are, overall, relatively minor. Seeing as we have successfully rented our vacation home, on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia, for many years we have a good feeling as to what vacation renters want, need and expect. Thus overall we feel that some of the amenities need upgrading to reach the standard expected by North americans for a vacation property that costs about $5000 Euro a week as of late May, 2012.
Despite these 'niggles' we had a very pleasant time.Response from Alessandra - 06/22/2012
Owner
I am sorry that our guests had negative things to say. I will respond in order.
Security at the house is important and the front door is extremely easy to open in case of emergency. Apart from the fact that the risk of fire in a solid masonry building is remote, the comment is preposterous: would one not lock the front door in -say- Toronto, for fear of a fire emergency?
Nobody said to use electricity sparingly, just to turn things off when not in use. This is a common sense habit that unfortunately not enough people have, or our planet would be in better shape.
About the outside furniture, perhaps our guests simply do not understand the value of antiques. The chairs in question are bent-wood chairs that are unfortunately not even made any more. Usually, if an accident happens and something breaks, our guests are very gracious and tell me immediately, apologizing for what has happened, and immediately offering to replace the broken item. In this case, it is interesting to see how these guests found the way to not only not discuss it with me, but to turn the incident against us.
Finding the barbecue need not have been such a strenuous proposition: all our guests know that they can contact me via phone, cell phone, email, and text message, any time of day or night. All that was needed was for someone to ask. Our guests know that I answer emails within a matter of minutes. The barbecue is a basic grille, not the Weber-type pumped up things that are common in North America. Believe it or not, I have looked for those in italy, but have not found them: Italians like to cook, not grill, so there is simply no market. On the other hand, if one travels to Italy and wants to eat hamburgers, perhaps one has missed the point.
The beds have firm mattresses because it is well known that a firm mattress is essential for healthy spine support. A soft mattress could result in a terrible back-ache that would ruin an entire trip.
Lastly, the issue of dryer is very clear from the webpage: nowhere does it state that we have a dryer. If the presence of a dryer was considered so important, this house should not have been chosen. But to choose it nonetheless, and then criticize for its absence seems underhanded and mean spirited.
In short: people who decide to travel to foreign countries should have some understanding that they are going to find different cultures, different priorities, and a different point of view. If one wants to travel in a "North American cocoon" -for lack of a better term- then perhaps the Hotel Hilton or Sheraton would be a better choice. I am told also that Disney World has a section of "simulated Italy" which is quite good.
I would say that the vast majority of our guests understands this, appreciates our efforts to meet all their needs, and ultimately enjoys the cultural differences which make for an authentic trip and a life-enriching experience. -
Y Kim
Providence, RI USALuxe, calm et volupte
Left on 05/18/2012 for a stay in May 2012
I was so fortunate to be able to spend a part of my recent vacation in this lovely Tuscan estate. The perfect spring temperature, with delightful breezes, brought out Bell'Estate's birds. Their songs and the rustle of branches surrounding the peaceful manor were the only sounds registered in the video I made with my iPad -- the physical beauty of this place and its setting was so astonishing that mere still photos would not have done it justice. Bell'Esate is a perfect sanctuary from which you might never want to leave. But you might want to venture on short excursions to Florence, Pisa, Volterra and other surrounding Tuscan towns. Upon returning from these outings, you will certainly appreciate even more the calm and peacefulness of this vacation home. I plan to visit Rome next spring, and intend to stay in another rental vacation home owned and run by alessandra. Having experienced her impeccable taste and warm hospitality in Lucca, I can hardly wait to plunge into The Eternal City.
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Mark and Michelle
PhiladelphiaA truly special place
Left on 11/16/2011 for a stay in August 2011
Last year was one of the most memorable vacations my husband and I have ever had! When the gates to the villa swung open and we saw for ourselves how truly lovely this property was we knew we were in for a wonderful holiday. The house and grounds are beautiful and meticulously well-equipped and maintained. The house overall is very spacious and well furnished including large, comfortable beds, well-equipped kitchen, outdoor dining spaces and enormous swimming pool. It is perfectly situated for taking day trips to Florence, Cinque Terre, MonteCarlo, Sienna and more. On hot summer afternoons we would return from our explorations to lounge by the pool with cocktails. Several evenings we enjoyed long leisurely meals prepared with herbs, tomatoes and peppers from one of several gardens on the grounds. At night, we would sit outside where we could see every star in the sky and saw numerous shooting stars while we were there. Cinzia, the housekeeper, was fantastic: very helpful and entirely trustworthy. Alessandra's sister, Sonia, was lovely. She welcomed us to the villa and prepared a wonderful dinner for us on our first night. She is quite the chef!!! The true jewel though is the owner, Alessandra. She is an exceptional hostess. You can tell that this home belongs to someone who takes special care to ensure that her guests' every need is met. We have stayed in two of her other homes. I feel so fortunate that she opens her homes to others because they are each truly special.
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Mike
San Mateo, CalifCharming location
Left on 10/27/2011 for a stay in October 2011
Aside from the mosquitos and twenty minute exercise to lock up everyday, the villa is located outside Lucca in a lovely hill setting. Old with charm and well-tended, it met most of our needs. Renters will need a car to travel about.
Response from Alessandra - 11/02/2011
Owner
The tone of this review caught me a bit off guard, especially because another person from the same party wrote a very nice review on a different site (VRBO) for the same vacation. This is the link if you are interested in reading it: http://www.vrbo.com/170993#comments . This just goes to show how differently people react to the same exact experience. The text of the review by this person's friend is below for your reference. He gave us five stars out of five.
"A Perfect Setting in Tuscany
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/01/11 Review Submitted: 10/20/11
We had a GREAT time in Luca this Fall at the Bell' Estate. One couldn't ask for a better place to spend 10 days celebrating retirement with good friends. Alessandra and her sister Sonia couldn't have been nicer and easier to deal with. The house was exactly what we wanted and more. The only problem we had was getting their on the first day and that added to it's ambiance. We would love to come visit and stay at Bell' Estate again. " -
Anne and Bruce
Barrie, ON CanadaWonderful week in Tuscany!
Left on 09/29/2011 for a stay in September 2011
We had 3 couples staying for a week in the beautiful Bell' Estate near Lucca. Driving directions from alessandra were exact and we had no problem finding the estate in the hills around Lucca. The photos do not do it justice. It is really a magnificent property. Relaxing by the pool after a day of touring was a perfect end to each day. The villa itself was very clean and the housekeeper who came 3 days during our week was lovely...even helping to get red wine stains from some clothing! Sonia came and created a beautiful Tuscan meal for us, helped by her adorable son Georgio. It was great fun. We enjoyed a bike tour around the Lucca area which included a winery and lunch at a local farm, while 2 in our party took a cooking class with Chef Paolo down the road from the villa at Hotel Carignano. Both options were excellent! Meals at the restaurants at the top of the winding hillside road ( Vipore and Lombardo) were both excellent. Make a reservation! (and have the rosemary frites at Vipore!). The villa was easy access to Florence and Pisa and we drove to Cinqua Terra with no difficulty. It is a 3 1/2 hour drive to the rome airport so if you are able to fly from Florence, that would be a good option. All in all a wonderful stay. Thank you Sonia for your help on site and to alessandra for your help in coordinating!
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Lorrain & Carlos
Buenos AiresFlawless holidays in Toscana
Left on 08/08/2011 for a stay in July 2011
Bell'Estate combines the perfect place for a large family to enjoy the sunny summer of Tuscany and to easily reach all must-see places like Florence, Siena, Pisa and the coastal area and still relax in the garden or at its amazing swimming pool in the afternoon. The house is fully equipped, the owners made sure we had all we needed and the staff people were just great.
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Giulia
Rome, Italy - Princeton, NJGreat Tuscan Villa!
Left on 01/19/2011 for a stay in September 2009
The holiday at Bell'Estate was fabulous! It was great both to spend time in the beautiful villa, and to explore the surrounding area.
The weather was great, it was not too hot but it was still warm enough for us to enjoy the beautiful (and big!) pool. The pool is surrounded by a lawn and after swimming we loved to sit in the sun on the grass or on chairs.
The garden is gorgeous, and this is where we spent most of our time when we were home. Especially sitting in the shade of a tree, reading a book and enjoying the view of the hills around.
We had most of our meals outdoors, on the table in front of the kitchen.
The kitchen has everything you might think of, we cooked a lot and also had cooking lessons, yum!
The interior of the house is comfortable and elegant, we really felt at home. There is a very large common area, as well as places to work.
This Villa is just perfect to spend a beautiful and relaxing vacation in the Tuscan hills.
Here 3 more rentals located nearby.
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