Villa La Chiusa, a grand country villa dating from the 15th century, is located in a pretty village on the outskirts of Lucca (2 km. distant).  It offers spacious accommodations for up to 12 set within an Italian walled garden, with a new pool, and resplendent with citrus trees, hydrangeas, iris, roses and century old shade trees. Villa La Chiusa - in the same family for over 400 years - has been tastefully renovated without disturbing the classic character of a typical period villa with terracotta tiled floors, high, frescoed ceilings and classic Tuscan colors throughout the interiors.

There are three spacious master bedrooms with ensuite baths.  The first is on the main floor with stall shower.  Two are upstairs, opening off a common living area.  One has a large Jacuzzi tub and a stall shower; the other has a stall shower.  There is one more double bedroom and a twin-bedded bedroom which share a bathroom with tub and hand held shower on the second floor. The main floor has an additional double bedded room with a small bathroom.

On the main floor, is a sitting room with fireplace and comfortable chairs and sofas for lounging.  Luxury fabrics, a baby grand piano, gracious antiques and upholstered pieces adorn a spacious salon that offers views of the Italian garden.  The formal dining room can easily seat 12.  There is also a breakfast room and a Tuscan country kitchen equipped with microwave oven, dishwasher, refrigerator, and separate freezer, gas stove and an ice-making machine.  Upstairs, a second spacious salon furnished in period antiques overlooks the walled garden.

A butler, who lives in a separate house on the property, provides cleaning of the villa 5 hours per day, 6 days a week, does the gardening, takes care of the pool, can help in shopping (he knows all the shops and delicatessens) and feeds the friendly dogs and cat living at the property. A professional cook and a sommelier are available upon request.  The villa has a metered telephone and a fax machine for guests' use.  Tours of local wineries and historic centers, wine tastings and dinners in local wineries can be arranged as can transportation by licensed taxis and chartered boat excursions to the Cinque Terre. Guests can arrange to be met at Pisa or Florence airports upon arrival.

A separate utility room contains a washing machine and dryer. For the use of her guests at Villa La Chiusa, the owner provides a fax machine, a DSL connection for broadband internet access, and a circular, in-ground swimming pool, approximately 30 feet in diameter.

A free high-speed DSL internet connection is available for exclusive use of guests, as well as a computer, if needed.

Other than the villa itself, many diversions are available in the area. A tennis court is located close to the villa, and within 20 km, one can find a golf course, the beach on the Versilian coast and the city of Pisa.  Florence is 60 km away and can be visited by car, train or bus. Supermarkets and other shopping are located nearby.  A good drugstore is 1/2 km away, and Pizzeria "Da Moreno", about 1 km distant, is open for dinner each evening. "Angelino", where excellent gelato is made is only a 3 minute walk away.  The center of Lucca can be reached in 10 minutes by car or bicycle. Bicycles are available for rental.

Villa La Chiusa can accommodate persons with limited mobility. The main floor is at ground level with no steps and there are two bedrooms and two bathrooms (each bath has one step up) located on this floor.

Renting Villa La Chiusa

Prices include linens, gas, electricity (except as noted below) and water, and a gala arrival dinner prepared and served by a master chef. The services of the live-in butler are also included in the price.

The only additional charges are for telephone, air conditioning and central heating. Telephone usage is metered. The cost for central heating is €230/week, when used.  Additional services of the chef and a sommelier are available at an extra charge of €120/dinner (not including the cost of food and wine).  For this fee, the chef will shop for the food and wine, prepare the meal, and serve at table.

A security/breakage deposit in the amount of $1000 is due with your final rental payment. It will be returned no later than one month following your departure from Villa La Chiusa less, of course, any deductions for loss or breakage.