Villa Le Monache

From the outside, this lovely villa has the grace and symmetry of a Georgian house. Inside, it has all the charm and character of Tuscan country style, adding a nod to Africa in carefully chosen artefacts. And put together, the complete ensemble is a comfortable and effortlessly elegant rural retreat. Villa Le Monache is set on a hillside just 10km from the walled town of Lucca, with wonderful views of olive groves and chestnut woods. The building follows the contours of its sloping grounds with two storeys visible at the front, and a lower ground level open to gardens at the back of the house, where a wisteria shaded dining terrace overlooks long lawns and the private pool. Doors lead in from here to an open-plan living room and kitchen, with modern appliances and a traditional pizza oven; and on the floor above, flooded with light from large windows, the main sitting room has a lovely library area. A twin room with curtained four-posters features among the four bedrooms. Within 25km of a choice of beaches, the villa is about 45km from Pisa and the natural spa at Montecatini Terme.