La Gattaiola - Tuscan Farmhouse with Breathtaking Views - Villa Rental Listing Details

La Gattaiola is set amongst the Renaissance villas of south-west Lucca in one of the most beautiful and now the most protected and exclusive areas of Lucca

La Gattaiola (or ‘catflap’ in English!) is a nineteenth-century Lucchesi casale or farmhouse in the heart of Tuscany and its owners are pleased to offer lovingly restored and delightful accommodation with breathtaking views from every window

The house sleeps 7-10 people and it open all year for rental purposes

The house is located in the small village of Gattaiola on the outskirts of the Tuscan Renaissance walled city of Lucca, the birthplace of Puccini. Gattaiola is also home to one of Italy's finest Slowfood restaurants and visitors in search of authentic Tuscan gastronomy will be delighted by this gem

Although situated amidst the lush green Colline Lucchesi (Lucca hills), La Gattaiola is only a stone’s throw from the centre of the city, having every amenity to hand such as small local food and wine shops, supermarkets, bars and restaurants as Lucca is only 3km or a 5 minute drive away. Accessibility to motorway links also makes it perfect as a base for touring the rest of Tuscany e.g. Pisa (20 min), Florence (45 min), Chianti or for the beaches (30 min), golf (30 min) and skiing at Abetone (40 min)

Located just a five minute easy drive from the historic walled city of Lucca (or 7 minutes to the walls by bike!), La Gattaiola offers the best of all worlds: proximity to the city and all its amenities combined with being located within an oasis in the glorious Tuscan countryside in which to relax and recharge. La Gattaiola is set amongst olive groves & vineyards with far reaching views from the Florentine hills in the east, the many towered city of Lucca, the Apuane Alps in the north and to the Carrara marble mountains in the east

There's something for everyone here with art and culture on the doorstep or if you prefer taking the spa waters, antique markets, gastronomic & wine tours and routes, designer outlet shopping, summer pop concerts, camellia and azalea festivals, flower markets or even organised house buying trips

Other activities include cycling, tennis, skiing, horse-riding on the beach, golf, sailing, walking & trekking

La Gattaiola's accessibility to motorway links also makes it perfect as a base for touring the rest of Tuscany with other main art towns and cultural centres such as Pisa (20 minutes), Florence (45 minutes) and with Siena and San Gimignano being within easy day excursion distance. As an added bonus, the beaches and the famous authentic carnival at Viareggio on the Versilian coast are only 30 minutes drive away and Torre del Lago where the Puccini Opera Festival is held every summer. There are also 3 beautiful and important golf courses within a 30 minute drive and Abetone—the most important ski centre in central Italy—which is just 40 minutes away

The property is equipped with smoke alarms and fire extinguishers

There is a seating area on the terrace and in the south-facing garden for guests’ use with a barbeque on the terrace. The garden and terrace are both south-facing and bask day-long in the Tuscan sun.

What our guests have said about their holidays at La Gattaiola:

We had a beautiful trip to Lucca and it was a pleasure to be your guest. We all, specially Emma - the Border Collie - enjoyed the stay in your house and garden! I'm sure we come back. Thanks a lot and we wish you the best. Greetings,
Mirjam, Gerda & Emma, Cologne, Germany - May 2006
'Partir c'est mourir un peut!' (To leave is to die a little.) This was my first time in Toscane. The two of you with your hospitality and beautiful home brought me a beautiful memory. With love,
Leontine & Jeoffrey, Breda & Rotterdam, The Netherlands - May 2006

Thank you very much for such a relaxing stay in your beautiful apartment. Booking something via the internet is always an unknown quantity. We arrived in anticipation - and were met with a wonderful surprise. Such comfortable beds, well equipped kitchen, luxurious bathroom, etc, etc...!! Thank you also for your kind and welcoming hospitality - we'll definitely be back - if that's ok?!
Ingrid, Mark and Maria, Cheltenham, England - June 2006

Thank you every so much for having us to stay in your wonderful GATTAIOLA! What beautiful surroundings. In fact this place is perfect for all purposes. With its situation it can be used as a base for visiting the classic Tuscan sites as well as the beaches...But not least, it can be used as a holiday site in its own right. With the nicest and friendliest hostesses. Only one thing lacking: the ability to make 7 days last longer... We will recommend GATTAIOLA to friends and family, for sure!
Alberte, Helga, Thøger, Ejnar & Jeanette, Odense, Denmark - July 2006

The cases are all packed but we're very reluctant to leave GATTAIOLA. We've had a wonderful holiday - very enjoyable and very relaxing. GATTAIOLA has been a perfect base for us and surely has the best equipped holiday kitchen - ever! All the very best for the future, we hope our paths cross again.
Kaye, Ian, Duncan & Cathie, Scotland - August 2006
What a lovely time we have had whilst staying at GATTAIOLA. A beautiful villa and beautiful surroundings. We have been able to visit many places from here and everyone really enjoyed it. Katie loved the pool! We wish you both all the very best and we will certainly be hoping to return.
Richard, Eileen, Richard, Bethany, Emily & Katie, Bournemouth, England - August 2006
We have had a very enjoyable fortnight at GATTAIOLA and have made full use of this lovely house (and very well-equipped kitchen). We have had some lovely meals at Il Mecenate, Villa Bongi and Trattoria da Leo. We cycled round the walls of Lucca which was lovely and cool a hot day and Alex (2) made several trips to the playground beside the Porta San Donato. We've also done lots of day trips and taken full advantage of Lucca's excellent shops. Thank you very much for your hospitality.
Bobby, Norma, Kirsty, Lynne, John, Graham & Alex, Glasgow, Scotland - September 2006
Thank you so much for a lovely stay. GATTAIOLA and its views, garden and two friendly cats [not ours, they belong to the neighbours!] made a perfect base for visiting northern Tuscany - we had ten of the most splendid October days in history and wandered about Lucca and Pistoia (great market on Wednesday and Saturday that fills the entire centre), Viareggio, Livorno (on a seafood eating expedition), Vinci, Volterra and San Gimignano - and found that no matter where you go, it's always easier to take the autostrada back at night! The house was always very welcoming to come back to after a long day on the road! Will recommend it to friends and readers. Thanks again.
Dana [Facaros] and Michael [Pauls], The Lot, South West France - October 2006
[authors of the Cadogan Guide to Tuscany plus around 40 other Cadogan travel guide titles!]

Es un casa preciosa situada en un lugar maravilloso. Los dueños y camareros del Mecenate son muy amables (es recommendable para cena). Gracias per todo.
Jose y amigos, Sagunto, España - October 2006