Historic Villa, Garden, Pool

Description

Casa Tolomei is an original, historic, and beautiful villa located in the well-known village of Bagni di Lucca, Tuscany, within easy walking distance of restaurants, cafes, shops, supermarkets and banks.

For summer 2022 we will have a NEW in-ground 8x4 metre POOL in the upper garden!

The leafy walled garden with pool, palm trees, and olives is a great place to relax, and there's a large, shady terrace adjoining the kitchen for easy al-fresco dining.

The spacious, elegant accommodation is suitable for groups from 4 up to 10 people, and includes up to 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (of which two are en-suites), a modern kitchen, adjoining utility room, secluded and shady dining terrace, snug/TV room, and the stunning frescoed living room.

Families with children are welcome.

Outside there is a mature, private walled garden on two levels with various trees and plants including palms and olives. Here you will find a gazebo covered with wisteria, picnic tables and chairs, a stone-built grill/barbecue, and new for 2022 the 8x4 metre in-ground pool.

A few features at a glance:
private walled garden - pool - dining terrace - modern kitchen -
washing machine - dishwasher - balcony - wifi internet - TV+DVD - splendid large sitting room - antique frescoes - 5 bedrooms.
Restaurants, bars, banks, supermarkets, shops & bus stop all a few steps away.
Easy, free public parking with plenty of spaces.

About the area
In the immediate vicinity of the house there are nature walks (including the Poets' Walk along the river, accessed via steps across the road from the house, and a circuit through the woods which can include the thermal baths at Bagni Caldi) and all services such as restaurants, banks and supermarkets.
There is a famous, very large open-air pool at Villa Ada (entrance just across the park from us) and they also have a children's pool and a bar/restaurant.
There are several restaurants within an easy stroll: the very well regarded Da Mamo (grilled meat, fish, pizza etc) is just a few steps away, and then there are the Circolo dei Forestieri (offering excellent, satisfying and very affordable lunch menus, as well as dinner), La Lira (a highly popular pizzeria in the style of an Irish pub), and Ristorante del Sonno which offers a selection of local as well as typical Italian dishes. Across the road is Bar Borghese which is a great spot for a cappucino, a pastry, and even lunch on their cosy garden terrace.
Nearby there are quaint villages nestled among the hills and mountains, the Canyon Park (a very popular adventure park), rafting, and a famous ski resort - Abetone - which is also a popular outside of the ski season for it's nature and hiking . The nearby historic centre of Lucca is not to be missed.

English poets Robert & Elizabeth Barrett-Browning were summer residents in this house during the 1850s, writing many enthusiastic letters about their experience, and working on their poetry.

Later, the immensely famous operatic composer Giacomo Puccini was a regular guest as he was a close friend of the owner of the house at that time.

The front facade of the villa is famously decorated with Liberty period (Art Nouveau) frescoes, while the garden facade has the classical period design dating from the 1700-1800s

Inside, several rooms exhibit original antique frescoes, including the stunning grand sala which is entirely covered in frescoes. Most bedrooms have original frescoes on walls or ceilings.

About our location:
We're in the historic centre of Bagni di Lucca, a few steps from all shops and services.
A very good cafe is a few doors away and the nearest restaurant is virtually next door (it has an excellent reputation).
A pleasant park with selection of specimen trees, a fountain and children's play area is across the street.
Across the park you will find the entrance to the villa Ada which has a huge outdoor public pool in summer and a heated indoor pool for winter.
Across the road, directly in front of the house, is a lane that leads to the riverside walk known as the poets walk, as it was here that English poets Robert and Elizabeth Barrett-Browning used to stroll while staying at the villa. In the centre of the walk is a plaque dedicated to them with a sample of their love poetry.
Thermal and other wellness activities are available at the historic spa establishments in the vicinity. A famous tennis club is a short walk away down the main street.
All around you can admire the elegant architecture of this town which was frequented by the aristocracy and celebrities of years gone by.
The well-known and popular Canyon Park (adventure park) is a short drive away. Bagni di Lucca is also a perfect starting point for trips to nearby cities such as Lucca, Pisa, Florence, or Viareggio and its beaches.

The accommodation is the entire first upstairs floor of the villa together with private garden and the pool. There are no other guests at the same time as your group.