Al Bastini - villa with glorious views & pool, 15 mins from Lucca
House in Lucca
10 guests · 6 bedrooms · 4 baths
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Free cancellationFull refund if you change your mind
Includes essentialsGarden, Pool, Kitchen or Kitchenette and more
About this house rental
Al Bastini is a beautiful, peaceful and well-equipped 18th century villa-farmhouse with glorious panoramic views. Set in 7 acres of land with old olives and fruit trees, and surrounded by unspoilt olive groves and forested hills, it forms a perfect haven from which to explore this part of Tuscany. The house is furnished in traditional Tuscan style with local stone, antique cotto floors, high chestnut-beamed ceilings and a wood burner stove. The accommodation sleeps 10 people in 4 double bedrooms, 2 single bedrooms & 4 bathrooms. The extensive facilities include a brand new gourmet kitchen with high end range cooker, 2 fridges and 2 dishwashers; air-conditioning; WiFi broadband; 50” Smart TV & DVD player; a full size billiards table, table tennis; and an excellent grand piano.
Around the house, the landscaped gardens feature a heated and gated 10 x 5m pool, a herb garden, flowerbeds and terraced lawns. There are 3 al fresco eating areas in both sun and shade to choose from - a covered loggia, a stone barbecue and a pool-side pergola - all enjoying the wonderful views. There are ample quality garden chairs, sunbeds and hammocks for relaxation for your family and friends.
Just 15 mins drive from the centre of the famous medieval city of Lucca, Al Bastini is within easy reach of the historic cities of Pisa, Florence and Siena and the coast. You are close to Lucca’s many historic villas and to charming villages dedicated to agriculture and viniculture.
A few minutes from Al Bastini by car are the shops and restaurants of the village of San Macario in Piano. A further 5 minutes away are 3 large supermarkets and in another 5 minutes, you will arrive in Lucca. Both Pisa airport and the beautiful beaches of the Versilian coast can be reached in 30 minutes.
Tuscany (and at further distance, Umbria) are full of wonderful places to visit - the obvious ones being Pisa (30 mins drive), Florence (1 hour by road or 75 minutes by train from Lucca), Siena (1½hours) and San Gimignano (1½ hours).
We can organise excellent chefs to cook wonderful dinners at Al Bastini for you and your guests and we can also provide cookery lessons. Organised sightseeing trips and vineyard tours of the many excellent Colline Lucchesi vineyards and olive mills can also be pre-booked.
For the lovely, cooler months – ideal for sightseeing and walking – Al Bastini has a wood burner and full central heating – and a well-stocked library of books, guidebooks and DVDs. Lucca is fully open all year round and is wonderful “out of season” – including its charming Christmas market season, New Year fireworks, and Easter procession.
Our super responsive and very knowledgeable English-speaking house manager will be happy to support you during your stay with anything you may need..
The house is reached by a fully tarmacked private road, kept in good condition. The road climbs a hill and has a sharp bend (that can be seen in the photos for reference) that may be preferable to do the first time in daylight to see the layout.
Al Bastini now benefits from a new open-plan gourmet kitchen, a new outdoor wood-fired pizza oven and grill and and 4 new bathrooms. The new saltwater swimming pool and sunbathing area was also recently refurbished.
Do not miss the opportunity to sample the sheer beauty and tranquillity of Al Bastini.
Around the house, the landscaped gardens feature a heated and gated 10 x 5m pool, a herb garden, flowerbeds and terraced lawns. There are 3 al fresco eating areas in both sun and shade to choose from - a covered loggia, a stone barbecue and a pool-side pergola - all enjoying the wonderful views. There are ample quality garden chairs, sunbeds and hammocks for relaxation for your family and friends.
Just 15 mins drive from the centre of the famous medieval city of Lucca, Al Bastini is within easy reach of the historic cities of Pisa, Florence and Siena and the coast. You are close to Lucca’s many historic villas and to charming villages dedicated to agriculture and viniculture.
A few minutes from Al Bastini by car are the shops and restaurants of the village of San Macario in Piano. A further 5 minutes away are 3 large supermarkets and in another 5 minutes, you will arrive in Lucca. Both Pisa airport and the beautiful beaches of the Versilian coast can be reached in 30 minutes.
Tuscany (and at further distance, Umbria) are full of wonderful places to visit - the obvious ones being Pisa (30 mins drive), Florence (1 hour by road or 75 minutes by train from Lucca), Siena (1½hours) and San Gimignano (1½ hours).
We can organise excellent chefs to cook wonderful dinners at Al Bastini for you and your guests and we can also provide cookery lessons. Organised sightseeing trips and vineyard tours of the many excellent Colline Lucchesi vineyards and olive mills can also be pre-booked.
For the lovely, cooler months – ideal for sightseeing and walking – Al Bastini has a wood burner and full central heating – and a well-stocked library of books, guidebooks and DVDs. Lucca is fully open all year round and is wonderful “out of season” – including its charming Christmas market season, New Year fireworks, and Easter procession.
Our super responsive and very knowledgeable English-speaking house manager will be happy to support you during your stay with anything you may need..
The house is reached by a fully tarmacked private road, kept in good condition. The road climbs a hill and has a sharp bend (that can be seen in the photos for reference) that may be preferable to do the first time in daylight to see the layout.
Al Bastini now benefits from a new open-plan gourmet kitchen, a new outdoor wood-fired pizza oven and grill and and 4 new bathrooms. The new saltwater swimming pool and sunbathing area was also recently refurbished.
Do not miss the opportunity to sample the sheer beauty and tranquillity of Al Bastini.
Amenities
Pool
Air conditioner
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Parking
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
Dishwasher
TV
Garden
Family friendly
Map of Lucca
$$$$
Reviews
5.0
Al Bastini is a peaceful idyll on the outskirts of Lucca. Very much a home from home with everything you might need readily available to make your stay all the more enjoyable. We had the most amazing time and would definitely return. Thank you so much.
5.0
Beautifully appointed spacious and prestigious villa with spectacular views and wonderful facilities. Tastefully decorated throughout, perfect for families/groups wanting quiet getaway destination with excellent, high quality facilities (swimming pool, a/c throughout, billiards table, grand piano, table tennis, multiple large fridges and advanced, well designed kitchen). Lots of outside space and shaded areas. Good communication with manager, who was responsive and keen for us to enjoy our stay.
5.0
We spent a week at Al Bastini and we wish we could have stayed longer. The location is perfect and the views are fabulous. The house had a great layout for our family of 4 along with 3 of our adult friends. We took daytrips from the house, but also enjoyed just staying at the house to swim or play ping pong. The kitchen is fantastic and through the management we booked chef Morena to prepare dinner for us one night. Morena and the food were so amazing, that we immediately asked her to come back the next night. Our only regret, was not booking Morena to prepare dinner every night.
We did have an issue with the downstairs bedroom air conditioning not working, but management immediately responded to my message and had a technician out the next day to try and resolve the issue. A big thank you to Alex and Tanya for their help and great communication. I highly recommend staying at Al Bastini, and we definitely plan on going back.
5.0
A beautiful secluded family retreat for a great holiday break
5.0
A lovely, lovely house with so much space and amenities. Tremendous views particularly in the evening as the sun sets.
We loved eating in the Loggia after early evening drinks outside with some late night snooker and swimming.
It's very quiet for sleeping at nights and the kitchen is both beautiful and well thought through including 2 dishwashers!
It's definitely worth making use of the local chefs.
We were surprised how quick it was from Pisa airport and Lucca has a lot to offer with the walk around the walls a must and some fabulous restaurants. Pisa and Florence aren't too far for day visits.
All in all a superb place to stay. It must be best in class.
5.0
Our first trip to Tuscany and what a place to stay! The villa and location are outstanding in every sense. The view from the property is stunning: a classic Italian scene; but it is the quietness of the wooded valley that makes it a very special place. The pool is another striking feature- it is large and set in a beautiful position within the garden. The villa itself is stylish and comfortable. The newly refurbished kitchen is outstanding- with every appliance/gadget on hand for foodies wanting to cook for themselves or for visiting chefs. We had amazing meals cooked for us by Morena and Fabrizio- both highly recommended. Finally, the property's location close to the fascinating historic town of Lucca and only half an hour from the coast makes this villa a not-to-be missed destination!
5.0
Located in tranquil woodland surroundings, this is an ideal destination for your holiday.
Lucca is just a short drive away, offering numerous excellent dining options and plenty of attractions.
Exploring the ancient city walls is a must-do activity, either walking or hiring a bicycle!
Lucca, being the birthplace of Puccini, hosts various opera festivals, making it a paradise for music enthusiasts.
Be sure to check out the host's recommendations for local village butchers, a restaurant, a winery, and an ice cream parlour.
We enjoyed a delicious cordon bleu meal prepared by the Villa's highly recommended in-house chef, thanks to the well-equipped modern kitchen!
The swimming pool offers a serene space for leisurely exercise and sunbathing, boasting stunning views of the lush valley.
We eagerly anticipate our next visit to this Tuscan paradise!
5.0
We are a group of 10 friends who travel together often and planned a summer trip to Tuscany to celebrate some milestone birthdays. We spent quite some time researching homes before landing on Al Bastini for its incredible views, convenient location in Lucca, privacy, ample space, but most importantly air conditioning and swimming pool for August! The home and the vacation overall were pretty close to perfect. The house manager was an incredible help to us as we were asking questions about the villa, planning day trips, and renting cars. She emphasized what a perfect location Lucca is, and she was right! We were able to discover some of Lucca and also take day (or partial day) trips to Pisa, the Puccini Festival, Cinque Terre, Chianti, and the beach. Luckily we also had time at the house - to enjoy the pool, cook in the beautiful kitchen, have a private chef cook us dinner and another make pizza for us in the outdoor pizza oven. Our only complaint is that maybe we should have booked two weeks instead of one! Thank you Al Bastini, we hope to see you again soon!
5.0
Our Al Bastini stay was a dream. With awe-inspiring views, the villa’s expansive terraces became havens for relaxation. The rooms embody spacious elegance and local charm, blending modern comfort with countryside aesthetics. The newly renovated kitchen (with dual dishwashers and fridges) exceeded expectations for food enthusiasts like us. Outdoor BBQ and pizza oven experiences, courtesy of Chef Fabrizio, were absolute highlights. Thanks to gardener Thomas, the beautifully maintained garden's fresh produce added authenticity to our meals: the kids loved picking ripe tomatoes, fragrant herbs, and small zucchinis. The saltwater pool was the epitome of relaxation: we spent countless hours floating, reading, and enjoying the ambiance.
Al Bastini's standout was great service: Alex, Iris, and Tanya ensured smooth reservations, check-in/out, and prompt assistance. Our stay was flawless.
Seeking beauty, comfort, and tranquility? Al Bastini is your haven.
5.0
We are so grateful to have celebrated our first wedding anniversary at Al Bastini, which offers a quintessential Tuscan experience that exceeded even our wildest expectations.
Nestled into a wooded hillside, Al Bastini has the most breathtaking panoramic views which are both unspoilt and private. We were left speechless when first stepping onto the terrace, and we continued to be wowed each and everyday as the sky changed from blues, to pinks and reds in the evening and then became littered with stars in the night sky. Opening the shutters every morning to this view was a treat in itself.
We opted to spend most of our time lazing by the private pool which provided the perfect relief from the late summer sunshine. There would be ample space for 10 to swim and sunbathe, so for just two of us it was a very special and secluded treat.
Many evenings were spent on the terrace, or loggia, whiling away the hours watching the sunset with a glass of wine in hand. On occasion we made use of the beautifully crafted outdoor barbecue, and pizza oven.
Al Bastini is well located, with local restaurants, gelaterias and supermarkets just a few minutes away by car. The beautiful medieval town of Lucca is 15 minutes away and was a daily destination for lunch, dinner or drinks. We fell in love with the town, with its cobbled streets, medieval walls and eclectic shops.
We were reluctant to leave the serene surroundings of Bastini, but ventured by car to the hilltop town of San Gigmiano, Siena, and the Tuscan capital, Florence, by train from Lucca. All are well worth a visit, if you can drag yourself away from the house and pool! Bastini provides the perfect base for exploring.
To complete our experience we enjoyed privately cooked dinners from two of the chefs available to hire via the property managers. Morena and Fabrizio treated us to the most impeccable service and exquisite cuisine, and to our favourite, tiramisu!
On the rare occasion the weather was inclement, the indoor facilities of the house were more than sufficient entertainment. Whether watching the vast array of satellite TV channels on the comfy sofas in the living room or playing snooker/pool with a late night aperitif, we were not left wanting.
Italian’s have a phrase, ‘la dolce vita’ which loosely translates to ‘the good life’ and, after the past two weeks stay at Bastini, we can fully appreciate and understand it’s meaning.
Alla Prossima!
5.0
We loved our stay at Al Bastini. The views are stunning and the pool is the perfect place to relax on a hot day. Rooms were comfortable and the snooker table was great fun! It is only a short drive to the attractive historic town of Lucca and in the heart of the Tuscan wine region so plenty to do when we wanted to leave the comfort of Al Bastini. A wonderful trip that we hope to repeat in the future!
5.0
I have rented several properties for family gatherings through VRBO, but none has been as wonderful as Al Bastini. Everything about our week-long stay was perfect--the setting, the villa, the fabulous salt-water pool, the easy proximity to Lucca and surrounding towns and beaches, and the support from the property manager and the house manager, who helped us find chefs to cook for us and a boat trip to Cinque Terre. It is a very special place. Everyone loved it.
Pat D. Washington, DC August 2022
5.0
Have been holidaying around Lucca for 20 years plus and Al Bastini has never been matched in terms of favourite house for my family and I.
Ideally situated 15 minutes from Lucca and shops but still only 40 minutes to Pisa airport, 50 minutes from the coast and an easy day outing to the Cinque Terre. The house sits on the side of a quiet valley with an unrivalled view over green hills and total peace. No road noise and hardly any lights can be seen in the evening
While the bedrooms/bathrooms are comfortable (master suite in particular is great) and airconditioned and the snooker room, piano room luxury sitting room with full music and TV are all great to have, what really makes the house is all the many places to sit, read, eat and enjoy the sun and the view. The kitchen has everything you need for a keen cook and you can eat in the superb covered terrace off the kitchen with view overlooking the valley or outside by the BBQ/pizza oven (or even in the dining room!). The pool is close but set just the right distance form the house and has plenty of chairs and loungers . It also benefits from a new non chlorine saline filtering system that makes swimming very pleasant.
Tanya the onsite manager was super efficient and Tomas the gardener helpful and pleasant.
4.0
Overall fantastic
Not much to add to the other great reviews!
Place and location is amazing so long as you don’t mind a hilly curvy drive - and I happen to.
My one qualm, and it did make a significant difference during our 2 week stay, is the mattress quality. 2-3 of the upstairs mattresses are decent, however the downstairs beds have mattresses to be ashamed of. You can literally feel individual springs through them causing pressure points uncomfortable sleep throughout the night.
1.0
Property has BEDBUGS. Flippant response from owner.
We came home with BEDBUGS and the owner was the most concerned with my review. I woke up one morning in this villa with bites all over me. Two others with us had bites too. I went to my dermatologist the very next day after our return. She thought they were bedbug bites. I called an exterminator and scheduled an inspection. I texted the property manager and she said they must be mosquito bites. She said she had an inspection done and there were no bedbugs.
I came to find out that her inspection was done by the cleaning staff! They are not trained professionals and don't know what to look for. They come out at night to feed and then they go into hiding places. Some people show the bite marks and other people show no signs at all AND it can take up to ten days for the bites to even show up on your skin. I was so lucky to have such a severe reaction as that prompted me to go to the doctor and then call the exterminator.
The exterminator came and we did have bedbugs. I had to pack up my entire house contents into black bags, seal them with duct tape and put them in my backyard in the high heat so any bedbugs that may be on my things would die as they do in high temperatures. On the day of treatment, we had to leave the house and after they finished treatment, we had to wait four hours before we could return home. We were having a heatwave in Atlanta and the temperature got up to 99 degrees that day and my cat had to be locked outside in the backyard for the whole day. I now have to wait a couple of weeks for them to come back and do another inspection to make sure they got them all before I bring all of my stuff back inside and unpack.
I told this to the house manager and she said that they disinfect the bedding/mattress. I received an email from the property owner and he reiterated that my bites are from mosquitos. He offered me 500 euros to leave a positive review. Their lack of concern was shocking. I implored him to have the house inspected by an exterminator. I told him my main concern was future guests taking them home with them as we did. He seemed more interested in why the exterminators were going to such lengths and that in the Uk, exterminators don't put you through that. His flippancy was overwhelming. He started each email out with "without prejudice" to protect himself. I have no interest in suing or in his offer of 500 euros. I simply wanted the problem at the villa resolved.
I have no idea if they are taking the proper steps.
5.0
Mamma mia!
Mamma mia! What a fantastic Tuscan gem. A glorious villa nestled within a gorgeous, unspoilt Tuscan landscape. Beautifully and sympathetically furnished, with everything needed to live la dolce vita, from a state-of-the-art swimming pool to an epic pizza oven and grill - and so very much more besides. Everything worked - and one got the sense that if something didn’t, the highly organised and attentive house management team would engage and resolve, rapido! The support staff were unobtrusive, obliging and human. We had an exquisite dinner cooked one evening by one of the local cooks recommended by the villa.
We’d never been to Lucca before - but what a destination in it’s own right - as well as a marvellous base for other Tuscan forays.
‘Oh, to be in Italy - and specifically Lucca - now that May’s there’ [sic, apologies to Robert Browning].
Al Bastini is an authentic Tuscan holiday delight - with all boxes fully ticked for an immersive worry-free holiday. In fact our only complaint was that our time was over far too quickly.
Oh but the views - those views were to sigh for.
La dolce vita, on steroids.
Grazie mille.
5.0
Perfect autumn break
Wow, what a location, the views from Al Bastini were mesmerising, making it very difficult to tear ourselves away from the terrace and the coffee machine!
The heated pool was the perfect temperature for early morning swims while the sun rose over the hills.
Well equipped kitchen and great spaces for us all to cook eat and relax in comfort and style.
Wonderful local restaurants on our doorstep and dozens of quality eateries in Lucca.
We used local chefs Tamara and Morena on two separate evenings, as recommended by the owners. They were so friendly and cooked up a real Tuscan feast for us.
We visited a fabulous beach only half an hour away with superb fish restaurants and glorious warm water for swimming in the October sunshine.
We made a smart call to visit in October with less tourists than we expected but still warm and sunny... what could be better than that.
Thoroughly recommend AB for an autumn Italian fix. We will be back.
5.0
Fantastic visit
Al Bastini has a wonderful setting with panoramic views from all parts of the terrace. It is a delight to sit or lounge on the terrace and take it all in. The lovely pool is conveniently located on the terrace and all is set up perfectly for outside relaxation.
There is table tennis and snooker/pool/billiards for indoor entertainment and the covered loggia is ideal for outside dining in the evening.
There is a great restaurant down in the village connected to the butchers for those liking a good walk to and from an excellent lunch and Lucca is only 20 minutes away by car with all of its charms. Florence, Pisa and the beach are all within easy drives so Al Bastini is a good location for Tuscan exploration
We went early October and the weather was still warm and ideal for site seeing and relaxation, although a jumper at night might be required
We had a lovely time at Al Bastini
5.0
Wonderful family holiday!
It was wonderful stay! The house is charming, comfortable, stunningly beautiful nestled on a hillside with breathtaking views. We all wished we could have stayed longer. Ask to have a private chef, Morena. She is just superb! Thank you so much for your hospitality!
4.0
Great location for exploring Tuscany
We enjoyed our stay at this spacious villa and would recommend it to others, despite a few negatives. Pros: The location (10 minutes outside Lucca, a great city in and of itself and to use as a base for exploring Tuscany), the grounds are immaculate, and the view is sublime. We loved the pool and the excellent air conditioning in the bedrooms and living room, as the weather was very hot during our stay. The outdoor eating area was great (bring bug spray!), right next to the kitchen and with a wonderful view. Plenty of space for our party of 8 (4 adults, and 4 teens), with 6 bedrooms and 4 full baths. The pool table and ping pong table were very fun. Kitchen is functional and well equipped; we made dinner several nights and had a chef come one night for a pizza making lesson. The communication with the on-site manager and thru VRBo was excellent, making check-in and check-out easy. They provided helpful suggestions for activities and made reservations for us. The cons: the villa was burglarized during our stay, resulting in the loss of a watch and some jewelry. We realize this wasn't the fault of the owners but it was distressing, to say the least. The house manager wasn't particularly sympathetic t start, but she later helpfully went to the police station with us and the owners contacted us directly to demonstrate their concern. Other more minor issues: the 1/2 mile driveway up to the villa is very steep and twisty; it is challenging at night or with a manual car and would be very tough in winter. The bathrooms needed some work (clogged drain in master, for example). But overall we had a very good time at this villa and would recommend it.
4.0
Stunning Location and Beautiful Rustic Villa
Al Bastini is a spacious well equipped villa, it benefits from a fantastic private pool and several areas to relax and enjoy stunning views of the outstanding beauty of the area. The additional benefits of the games room with billiard table and outdoor table tennis, grand piano in the lobby, added to making the overall stay very memorable. (We are fortunate enough to have talented pianists in our family members.)
Al Bastini is in need of a little refurbishment, however, this said there is everything you could possibly need for your stay.
We used the services of a chef for one of our evenings, organised by Tanya the Property Manager. We selected a four course menu for the 10 of us, the meal was delicious, quality ingredients used for everything, and we can highly recommend this option.
The road up to the villa is a slight challenge, so arrive in daylight if possible as negotiating this in the dark is not to be recommended. The property is ideally set to visit a number of interesting locations but due to COVID at the time of our holiday we spent our time in our family bubble at the villa. Due to this we cannot provide feedback on these local places of interest or the beach.
There are plenty of places to shop in the nearby town of Lucca the largest supermarket being the Co-Op.
The manager and owner of this property could not have been more helpful throughout the entire booking process, keeping in touch via e-mail answering queries etc, so a big thank you to Alex.
We wish Al Bastini well for the future and say thanks for a wonderful family holiday.
2.0
Al Bastini is a spacious well equipped villa, it benefits from a fantastic private pool and several areas to relax and enjoy stunning views of the outstanding beauty of the area. The additional benefits of the games room with billiard table and outdoor table tennis, grand piano in the lobby, added to making the overall stay very memorable. (We are fortunate enough to have talented pianists in our family members.)Al Bastini is in need of a little refurbishment, however, this said there is everything you could possibly need for your stay. We used the services of a chef for one of our evenings, organised by Tanya the Property Manager. We selected a four course menu for the 10 of us, the meal was delicious, quality ingredients used for everything, and we can highly recommend this option.The road up to the villa is a slight challenge, so arrive in daylight if possible as negotiating this in the dark is not to be recommended. The property is ideally set to visit a number of interesting locations but due to COVID at the time of our holiday we spent our time in our family bubble at the villa. Due to this we cannot provide feedback on these local places of interest or the beach.There are plenty of places to shop in the nearby town of Lucca the largest supermarket being the Co-Op.The manager and owner of this property could not have been more helpful throughout the entire booking process, keeping in touch via e-mail answering queries etc, so a big thank you to Alex. We wish Al Bastini well for the future and say thanks for a wonderful family holiday.
5.0
Peace and Wind Chimes
Our 6 weeks Al Bastini were really perfect. 20 people over the period and it all worked. Our host Les and Erlana went above and beyond to please. The gardener and care taker extraordinaire Thomas became our translator, our driver, and our friend He keeps everything in top shape. We chose Al Bastini because of the total space. Inside and out. The gardens were my favorite. The Wind Chimes in the breeze and the birds singing were magical. The pool (we heated) was perfect temp for my California and Florida guest. Best of all, early morning coffee on porch overlooking the valley and Lucca in the distance. We will never forget Al Bastini.
5.0
We have one more week and i will wright a review at that time.
A piece of my heart will always be here.
5.0
Superb location. Tuscan Hills near beautiful Lucca. House was spacious and had nice pool, pool room
Would definitely rent this house again.
5.0
Exceeded Expecations
Les, your home was just spectacular!! Where do I begin....The villa was much more than we had expected, it's stunningly beautiful nestled on a hillside with breathtaking views. Old charm with modern convivences, spotless with ample room for all of us ( 9 people). Our favorite spot was the loggia where we would start each morning with coffee and breakfast then end each night with a glass of wine. The pool was refreshing as the temperatures were in the 90 each day. Our party of nine had such a wonderful stay we will be taking about it for years to come. Great location we visited Florence, Sienna, Cinque Terre, San Gimignano and Lucca. A special thank you to Alex for assisting us with booking a wine tour, a chef and answering all of my many questions, she was a pleasure to work with. Morena our chef for one evening was just superb. We all wished we could have stayed longer. Thank you so much for your hospitality and sharing your home with us as it truly made our trip to Italy that more special.
Ciao,
Cheryl
5.0
We didn’t want to leave ...!
The house is charming, comfortable, with everything you could want for a perfect stay. The outside area is beautiful with a great pool and beautiful views. Our family of 10—3 generations—had plenty of space. The owner was welcoming and helpful sending lots of information about the Lucca area before our stay. Easy day trips from this location. The time went very quickly and we all had such a good time we were sorry we didn’t book a second week. You won’t be disappointed, the house is even better than it looks on HomeAway.
5.0
A perfect stay
What a lovely villa, beautiful surroundings, great location
5.0
Tuscan perfection
An amazing property, with stunning views, and everything you could want for a two week holiday. 10 minutes from Lucca, 40 from the airport and the beach, you can drive or train to Florence. Big lounge with satellite tv, large dining room, kitchen with everything you could need, 4 big bathrooms and 6 good sized bedrooms.
The views are to die for, waking to incredible views across the valley, then breakfasting on the covered terrace (also a great spot for a glass of brunello in the evening!).
Outside then, to one of the terraces for fresh coffee or to start that book, then out to the heated pool, lots of sun beds, and more great views whilst working on that tan!
Great local eateries like Brachiere, top quality Sunday lunch at Lombardo, then pick up to one of the 600 restaurants in Lucca for dinner, with everything from the family trattoria to Michelin star dining.
Les is a top notch host, none of this “leave the keys and bugger off”, a full explanation of where everything is, how it works, and what to do if it doesn’t. Peace of mind is a great thing to have on holiday. When we did have a couple of minor issues they were dealt with almost instantly, and I couldn’t speak highly enough of him.
This is the only way to have your dream Tuscan holiday, believe me!
Thanks Les, for a wonderful house and a memorable fortnight!
4.0
Lucca property with charm and history
Les and Erlana were good hosts, leaving us a clean home and arriving the next day with lovely small pastries and lots of helpful information. The house is close to Lucca and grocery and wine stores. It has a magnificent view and a great deal of privacy, along with four spacious rooms, and two smaller ones with single beds, really only suitable for children. The other bedrooms had good beds and their own bathrooms. New towels might be a suggestion but the sheets were lovely and the air conditioning worked well. (In extreme heat the kitchen is very hot and perhaps you could also use an air conditioner). It is a good home for families and for a group of friends. We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.
5.0
Scenic, comfortable, and well-placed.
My family and I (two adults, two children 8 and 10) spent a truly lovely week at Al Bastini. The grounds are stunning; the pool offered a perfect place to escape from the summertime heat; and the view is lovely. This is a terrific spot for families or small groups who want a home base for exploring Lucca, the Tuscan/Ligurian coast, the Apuan Alps, and the Florence/Pisa corridor. Les and Erlana were generous hosts: responsive, friendly, and full of good advice. We'd gladly return someday.
5.0
Wonderful Villa, Scenery, Facilities and Hosts
The villa was even better than we imagined. There was lots of space for us all (seven adults).
Les was friendly and welcoming and happy to advise where to go/eat and what to see. Lucca is a must - a lovely walled town. Pisa
well worth a visit and the beach not too far. Parking easy for all three (try Bagno Zara).
Morena cooked a wonderful meal for us and the well equipped kitchen (and barbeque) made self-catering simple.
Relaxed by the pool, played table tennis and pool. Wonderful after the bustle of Rome.
We didn't want to leave!
Dave, Colette & Gang
5.0
Wonderful family holiday - highly recommended for family and friends
We found the house with no problems at all and it was even more impressive than the photos with excellent views. The house is a genuine home and large enough for our family of 10 to not feel all over each other.
The loggia off the kitchen was our dinner and chatting area where we sat and enjoyed the evenings.
We were very fortunate with the weather and the whole family appreciated the beautiful pool especially the children.
We had a couple of minor problems with the wifi not working and an umbrella being broken but Les was very quick to resolve both for us.
The beds are very comfortable and we all slept very well - the air con being an added bonus.
Overall this really was a holiday of a life time that we'd promised our children and grand children for some years.
Thank you Les for letting us enjoy your lovely home for a week and as my granddaughter says " creating life long memories"
5.0
Gorgeous Getaway
There were 8 of us adults and two toddlers for a mid-June week of sun, swimming, sightseeing and, of course, eating well. Al Bastini was great. The pool was so well heated the youngsters could stay in all day. The peace and lovely views , the shaded sitting out balcony beside the kitchen, the excellent barbecue, the air conditioning in the bedrooms and living room all made life very pleasant for the adults. Lucca is a twenty minute drive away and was a very pleasant place to wander around in and taste good food and wine. The walk/bike ride along the walls was memorable. We had so much to do in and around Al Bastini we didn't even make it to the beaches which are not far away. Les was extremely helpful as were his little support team.
5.0
Absolutely wonderful holiday
We were a family of 8 adults and two small children and Al Bastini was magical for everyone. The house was very comfortable and spacious with stunning views over the hills. Everyone is still talking of evenings on the terrace drinking very inexpensive prosecco with a gentle cooling breeze. Les the owner was always very helpful and nothing was too mch trouble. He even arranged for lasagnes to be in the fridge so we didn't have to worry about food as soon as we arrived. There is a very good Co-op nearby and an excellent butcher in the village.
The pool is excellent, the three years old learnt to swim, and in the evenings there were table tennis tournaments! Lucca is close by and there is a good bus service to Florence. Everyone loved Al Bastini and there are already plans to go back soon. A fantastic memory, thanks Les, your house needs more than 5 stars!
5.0
Lovely spacious villa - very comfortable, very clean and very well equipped
Great.
Forget it - you don't seem to want my review. Your query makes no sense.
5.0
as close to perfect as it gets
We had a wonderful week at this house. 4 adults, 1 teen, 3 children. More than enough space for everyone. Clean and comfortable. Everything you could possibly need. Location perfect for travel to Florence, Pisa, Lucca, beach, etc and just amazingly beautiful. Gorgeous landscaping and pool. Les was responsive and helpful with any questions or needs. I would have stayed forever if that was an option : )
5.0
Back in Lucca
It was our first time back in the Lucca area for many years. We have been many times over the last 20 years and looked forward to returning to favourite places and finding some mew ones. Al Bastini was a fabulous base for our holiday and when the weather turned hot in the second week, it was great to be able to just enjoy the villa and all the facilities it provided. Les and Alex were very welcoming at the start. As they live there for part of the year, it meant that everything worked. The villa is someone's home and not an investment property for tourists. I recommend getting Morena in to cook some Tuscan food. Our favorite restaurant in Lucca was Miranda. Overall we had a lovely holiday in a beautiful home. Sunsets on the terraces will be happy memories until we get to return.
5.0
Simply fantastic!
We spent the last week of July and was very exited about averything. Great house with charm and high quaility. It's very spacious and stayng 10 persons together just works perfect. The pool area, out door barbecue, ping pong table, pool table etc allows you to have a great time. The location of the house is ideal, close to Lucca and situated with a great view and lots of privacy. Would without any hesitation recommend this house to friends.
5.0
Great Home Away Frim Home
The house was better than we expected! It was just lovely and was well located ... Far enough from the center of the city and near enough to get there! We were 10 and the house was large enough and never felt crowded! It was homey and comfortable!
It is a unique, charming house!
The owners were so nice and accommodating!!
When we come back to Lucca, we would think of staying no where else!
If you stay there ... ask to have a private chef, Morena, come to the house and give a cooking lesson and make a meal! She was just great! Expect to have one of your better meals in Italy ... and a bit of left overs!
If I could give this more stars I would!
Lester
Naples, Florida
July 2016
FAQs
How much does this house cost compared to others in Lucca?
The average price for a rental in Lucca is $179 per night. This rental is $1,147 above the average.
Is parking included with this house?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Al Bastini - villa with glorious views & pool, 15 mins from Lucca. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this house?
Yes, a swimming pool is available for use at Al Bastini - villa with glorious views & pool, 15 mins from Lucca. Enjoy the water!
Is Al Bastini - villa with glorious views & pool, 15 mins from Lucca pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this house is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at Al Bastini - villa with glorious views & pool, 15 mins from Lucca?
We found 12 amenities for this rental. This includes pool, air conditioner, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, and fireplace.
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