Entire home

XII century farmhouse on the hills above Lucca with chef. Only local food.

Photo gallery for XII century farmhouse on the hills above Lucca with chef. Only local food.

Outdoor dining
5 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
Fireplace, stereo
Food and drink
Dining

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 10

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Gym
    Gym
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Pool
    Pool
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

XII century farmhouse on the hills above Lucca with chef. Only local food.

Farmhouse Villa Lean is a beautiful, private homestead nestled in the hills of Tuscany’s wine country above the ancient walled village of Lucca . The original farmhouse was previously owned by David Lean, the famous film director; who fell in love with the breathtaking views but never started the restoration work. The house was left deserted until 1993 when it was acquired by the Ferrucci family who totally restored and modernised it whilst retaining its character and many authentic features.
The house comprises two separate living areas that sleep up to 10 people and can be rented out for a single large group. The main house sleeps 8 people.. The oldest part of the house, which dates back to the 12th century, adjoins the main house and sleeps 2 people and there is also a sofa bed for another 2 persons..Monica Ferrucci, who is an expert cook offers an extensive menu of superb, affordable Italian and local Tuscan cuisine.


Description :
The house comprises two separate living areas that sleep up to 10 people and can be rented out for a single large group . The main house sleeps 8 people; it has four well-lit bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a large kitchen and a first floor sitting room. The oldest part of the house, which dates back to the 12th century, adjoins the main house and sleeps 2. It has a lounge area, bathroom, spacious kitchen and an original fireplace in the large first floor bedroom. Outside the house is a large pool that is surrounded by sumptuous gardens and enjoys fabulous views across the vineyards and valley below.

food related property:
All the kitchen areas are well appointed with high quality appliances or if you prefer, a barbeque is available for outdoor cooking. If you would rather not cook at all, Monica Ferrucci, who is an expert cook and lives in self contained accommodation at the back of the house, offers an extensive menu of superb, affordable Italian and local Tuscan cuisine. As well as being an excellent cook, Monica also has a wealth of local knowledge that she is always willing to share to ensure you make the most of your visit.


Tuscany lost corner:
During your stay at the Villa, you have the opportunity to do what we call a mountain villages tour.It’s essentially another way of getting off the beaten track! Just like in a safari, we are going to drive around our district to explore small hamlets, villages, historical landmarks, castle ruins and artistic jewels such as the “pievi” that normally get unnoticed by travelers taking “different” roads.

We can also drive through off-road trails to admire the local flora and fauna and visit the breathtaking canyon of ‘Orrido Di Botri’ where it is possible to have the rare opportunity to see the eagle in its natural habitat. You can access the canyon overcoming big rocks partly on foot or by wading through chest high deep pools of crystal water for a couple of hours to complete the whole track. Helmets will be provided at the entrance. It is also possible to admire the “Orrido” from above, hiking on a one hour and half loop trail
If it’s very hot we may end up for a super refreshing swim in the pools of the Lima creek and a enjoy a good ice-cream at the end of the tour.
Lunch breaks included .This tour almost takes the whole day, say from 9,30 am to 6pm.

Please don't hesitate to contact us for low season weekly offers including tours , accommodation and meals.

Property manager

Monica Ferrucci

Languages

English, Italian

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Fenced private pool
  • Outdoor pool
  • Sauna

Internet

  • Available in the villa: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Chef service

Bedrooms

  • 5 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Bathtub
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Bidet
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Designated smoking areas

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping (limited availability)
  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In a village
  • In the mountains

Things to do

  • Gym
  • Kayak
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Spelunking nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

All guests, including children, must be present at check-in and show their government-issued photo ID card or passport
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 5000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Map
valgiano, Lucca

What's nearby

  • Pinocchio Park - 12 min drive
  • Walls of Lucca - 17 min drive
  • Piazza dell'Anfiteatro - 18 min drive
  • Guinigi Tower - 19 min drive
  • Piazza Napoleone - 20 min drive

Getting around

  • Lucca San Pietro a Vico Station - 12 min drive
  • Pisa (PSA-Galileo Galilei) - 51 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Mona Lisa - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Osteria Il Botteghino - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Moxi Moxi - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Vecchia Osteria da Batano - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Osteria Del Vecchio Pazzo - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does XII century farmhouse on the hills above Lucca with chef. Only local food. have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is XII century farmhouse on the hills above Lucca with chef. Only local food. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at XII century farmhouse on the hills above Lucca with chef. Only local food.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at XII century farmhouse on the hills above Lucca with chef. Only local food.?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is XII century farmhouse on the hills above Lucca with chef. Only local food. located?

Situated in the mountains, this villa is within 3 miles (5 km) of Villa Mansi, Villa Grabau and Villa Reale. Villa Torrigiani and Parish Church of Santa Maria Assunta are also within 6 miles (10 km).

XII century farmhouse on the hills above Lucca with chef. Only local food. Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 110 out of 117 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 117 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 117 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 117 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 117 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

LOIS E., Sussex USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful location
Villa Lean is beautiful in every aspect...interior, decor, view of countryside below of olive trees and grapevines. Monica, the host, is wonderful...a world of information and responsive to any inquiries. As a chef, she cooked a fantastic dinner of all local organic products, including her homemade cheeses. We loved staying there and exploring local restaurants, binyardsabout the farmhouse history,
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sandy G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Farm in the hills
Monica’s farm villa is located far above Lucca with amazing views. Loved her animals, especially Baaaba the baby goat that followed her everywhere. Had three wonderful dinners prepared by Monica and took a fun trip with Giovanni into the mountains. Expect castle like steps in the rooms. Was treated like family. Miss both Monica and Giovanni. Thanking them both for an exceptional experience..
Stayed 21 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jill S., Vancouver Canada

Liked: Cleanliness
Dream location!
We booked our stay for my parents 50th Anniversary (5 couples). Monica & her husband are lovely people with a beautiful home! We absolutely loved our stay - the villa and the grounds felt like something out of a movie. Amazing views from all the bedroom windows, and a beautiful table to have dinner al fresco. The pool is very large & was lovely to cool off in. We loved the dogs and the sheep & goats. Monica made us an amazing dinner one night and it was delicious and so fresh! We loved our stay and can’t wait to come back
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Margaret T.

Liked: Cleanliness
A little bit of heaven!
We had an amazing stay - great accommodations and Monica is an outstanding host and chef! We had a fantastic tour of the ancient mountain villages by Monica’s friend, Giovanni - a highlight of our trip. We wouldn’t change a thing and really hope to be back!!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing week in Tuscany
Monica & Giovanni were simply wonderful! We had the best time! The house and view were beautiful, and our family and children enjoyed every moment. We were also amazed by Monica’s cooking which was truly the best meals we had our entire trip. She was absolutely wonderful!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Everything we wanted and more!!
Our family of 8 had a wonderful time at this 12th century Tuscan villa. It was everything we wanted and more. The views were stunning. Our host, Monica, was warm and friendly. She cooked three meals for us that were incredible!! We were able to experience local Tuscan cooking and with each new course we were amazed. Don't miss out on Monica’s cooking and her own cheeses! The pool provided the necessary relief from the heat in July. Floating around and looking up at the blue Tuscan sky will be a memory we won’t soon forget. Giovanni guided us on an all-day tour of the hidden treasures in the mountains. This was one of our favorite experiences. We were able to see and appreciate the history of the area. The views were magnificent and memorable. Monica was also able to provide reservations at local restaurants and wine tastings that we thoroughly enjoyed. The three dogs (Olga, Artu and Lola) and sheep (Bebe) were adorable and friendly, and we quickly got attached to them. We would highly recommend this villa and would love to come back and visit again someday.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joanna P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Villa
From the moment we arrived at the Villa and met Monica and Giovanni we knew it was going to be a fabulous trip, we had a group of 7 women and Monica made us feel right at home like family, Monica originally gave us a name of a driver to get us to the Villa since we were not going to be driving, and they were amazing, so we thank Monica for that. The Views at the Villa are breathtaking, the pool was fabulous especially after a long flight in. Monica is an amazing chef, highly recommend Monica's dinners, I am still raving about her dinners just be prepared to eat a lot. Monica also makes her own Cheeses and is amazing. Monica's 3 dogs (Olga, Artu, and Lola) and a sheep(Bebe) that roam around the Villa are so cute and funny, we just fell in Love with them. We highly recommend Giovanni's tour up in the mountains to other Hamlets, I think it was my favorite part of the whole trip, beautiful scenery. Monica made us reservations at the restaurant at top of the hill, easy walk from the Villa. Highly Recommend this Beautiful Villa.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amy D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful farmhouse with incredible views!
My family of 8 just stayed at the home and had an incredible time. The farmhouse is rustic but it has everything you need. Beds and linens very comfortable. The views are incredible and Monica and Giovanni were excellent hosts and cooked us a delicious dinner. Only drawback was it’s very hard to find the home at night, it’s down a dirt road and sign hard to find so arrive during the day. Also the house has very steep stairs and I would t recommend if elderly people are in your group. Otherwise the pool was refreshing, the garden lush and overall we had a stay we will never forget.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

David S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Absolutely Amazing
My family and I had such a wonderful time at this lovely property. The property is charming, the views are amazing and the host Monica is awesome. We visited 5 wonderful places in Italy and this was the highlight of our trip. Monica made us 2 wonderful meals which we enjoyed outside looking over the countryside. Her cooking was the best food we had throughout our whole trip. I cannot say enough nice things about the whole experience at this home. We will definitely return. Monica-Thank you for everything:)
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stunning villa in Italy
Wow, what a stay. We stayed here as a family for a week in May and it was incredible. The views from the villa are unreal and the place itself is gorgeous. Monica is a fabulous host who cooked us a delicious meal on our first night. Her and Giovanni were so welcoming and suggested a beautiful restaurant nearby one evening and even booked it for us. We had a fabulous stay and would highly recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

PAtricia M., United States

Liked: Cleanliness
Magical spot with fantastic hosts
The views are stunning and the Villa is charming and stocked with everything you need to be self sufficient. The hosts are warm and friendly and made the trip extra special for all of us. Monica made us mind blowingly good dinners several nights, and be forewarned, there will be so much food that you will have enough to feed you lunch and breakfast the next day. Everything is organic and extremely locally sourced, and she makes all of her own cheeses from her flock of sheep and goats. Giovanni's safari of the remote Italian villages in the area, far from the tourist crowds, was a big highlight of the trip. Grazie mille to all of the residents of Villa Lean, including the dogs and BeBeee.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kezia M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Incredible stay on this gorgeous Tuscan farm!
What a fantastic stay on this beautiful farm we had! There are sheep and goats on the property, and everything was clean and lovely! The views are spectacular and the houses are clean, charming and comfortable! We were 6 friends traveling together and all absolutely loved this gorgeous property and wonderful hosts. Definitely do not miss having Monica cook for you – it was one of our highlights for sure! She prepared the most delicious 4 course dinner made with fresh, local ingredients, her homemade cheeses, and wine from a friend's vineyard! We were only sad we hadn’t arranged for her to cook another meal for us. As other reviewers note, be aware that the internet is spotty (which actually allowed us to just disconnect more fully while there :-). Also be aware if you use heat, that you will be charged separately for that, and it is best if you have cash to pay the day you leave, and it is quite expensive. The place is even better than in the pictures and I would go back again (and again) in a heartbeat and stay even longer (and have Monica cook more meals)! Grazie, Monica and Giovanni!
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Douglas Q.

Liked: Cleanliness
Tuscany Farmhouse
More of a farmhouse than a Villa. Our host was lovely and a wonderful host; her cooking was excellent. But to be quite honest…it was rather disappointing and I think VrBO ‘over promised’ and falsely advertised. Again, the host was outstanding and a treat to ve with.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

william c.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful location and comfortable old farmhouse
We enjoyed four wonderful days at this beautiful old Italian farmhouse. The rental property consists of two buildings one has one bedroom with its own bathroom, a small sitting area, and a kitchen.. the other building has four bedrooms, two bathrooms and also a Kitchen. Be forewarned, all of the bedrooms, except one are up fairly steep stairs, and can be a problem for older people or those with mobility problems. The bedrooms and bathrooms are spacious with comfortable beds, plenty of good linens, and an abundant supply of very good towels. Kitchens are well stocked with plenty of room to move around. The greatest feature of this property is its location. It is on a hillside in the hills above Lucca. The property looks down upon a vineyard just below and then into the valley of Luca in the distance. It is a spectacular piece of property. One more forewarning: we were there in relatively cold weather, and had to use the heating system. At checkout we were informed that we had to pay extra for the heating, and that the payment had to be in euros. I must admit that we had a bit of sticker shock, and had to do some scrambling to come up with the auto code. I’m out of euros. It would’ve been nice if this information had been provided to us at time of check-in. That inconvenience notwithstanding the entire experience was wonderful, and we would highly recommend this property for anyone visiting the Lucca area.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

8/10 Good

Tammy J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful villa
This 12th century villa is beautiful-rustic, stunning scenery, wonderful hosts, and even sheep n goats!! Monica is a wonderful cook and Giovanni’s mtn villages tour a definite highlight!! Cons: very intermittent n limited wifi, transportation is difficult espec at night due to location, and sauna that is advertised on web is not currently in use. Overall- highly recommend if dont mind remote location n lots of steps!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

JACKIE S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Villa in Tuscany
This villa was everything I wanted when I pictured a villa in Tuscany! Monica's hospitality is unmatched!! The food she prepared was the best we had on our whole trip, so it was well worth having her make a couple of dinners for the 8 of us. The view from the villa overlooking Lucca was unmatched! We delighted in the rustic old but well-equipped villa! It was perfect for our stay. Would come back again. Thank you Monica!!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

David H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Exceeded our expectations
We loved staying there. Monica and Giovanni were wonderful hosts as were their 3 puppies. Beautiful location, Stunning building and Monica is a fantastic chef as well.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susie N.

Liked: Cleanliness
A beautiful Tuscany home
We had such a magical experience at Villa Lean… Monica and Giovanni are just the best hosts and cooks!! They made it extra special by making one of my friends a delicious birthday 🎂 The house is so comfortable and welcoming. I wish our visit was longer but I will make sure it is next time we visit…. Grazie tutto ♥️
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

JA F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful and welcoming
This property is gorgeous with expansive and lovely views of the Tuscan hills. The hosts, Monica and Giovanni, were extremely warm and friendly and made great suggestions for unique and interesting outings. We enjoyed 2 meals cooked by Monica, which were superb! Giovanni took us on a fascinating tour of several medieval hidden villages in his LandRover. We hope to return soon!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Dream location
Villa Lean was the most breathtaking Villa to call home for two weeks. My family of nine were made to feel right at home. The accommodations were perfect and Monica was an amazing host. We had her make dinner our first night and it was the best meal - hands down - that we had in Italy. We can’t wait to go back!
Stayed 12 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Agnes P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Thank you Monica and Giovanni!
Our entire family got together for a fabulous week in Villa Lean. We had a wonderful time, the children were delighted with the animals, an unforgettable experience on a farm for kids growing up in a big city. They were even allowed to participate in herding of the goats before the storm. The puppies were adorable and we miss them. But it was Monica who made our stay as special as possible, kind, always smiling and a truly fantastic chef. We dined on her tummy creations which were served in beautiful settings. Giovanni was also a great host, friendly, and smiling and always helpful. We will always remember this wonderful week, and hope to return one day! Thank you so much Monica! Agnes and the family 💕
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Louise B., Chilliwack, BC Canada

Liked: Cleanliness
Above and Beyond expectations !
So much to say about our stay at Villa Lean. It was a dream come true to spend a week with Monica and Giovanni and the wonderful authentic spirit that is their way of being. The Villa itself is like something of the old way of family living, rustic and charming in every way . Monica is a wonderful cook and though she was suffering from the extreme heat she still cooked 2 amazing meals for our family of 10 including 4 hungry boys 17-20 and arranged a table for us at lovely nearby restaurant one evening . The pool was a godsend and well used in the heat. 3 rambunctious adorable puppies provided much entertainment with their antics! The highlight (for all but 3 of us who went to bike the Lucca Wall) was the mountain village excursion that Giovanni guided in his Land Rover one day - it was adventurous and amazing according to the participants !!! We would be remiss if we did not mention Monica’s fabulous goat cheeses! They became a daily staple beyond what we were treated to at dinners. All in all so many memories were made and all of us will remember our time there for many years to come. Thank you Monica and Giovanni - Ciao 💕
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Diane M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Graduation Celebration Vacation
We had an amazing experience at the Villa. The property is rustic and authentic with amazing views and a great pool with cool water. Monica and Giovanni are excellent hosts and were very accommodating to our needs and with recommendations for the area. Monica prepared a wonderful dinner for us one night accompanied with her freshly prepared cheeses and other ingredients from her farm. It was amazing! There were 3 new puppies at the villa that greeted my daughter each morning and that ended up being a highlight for her. She wanted to take them home. We highly recommend this property and hope to return one day.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christine P., Baltimore MD USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Dream Vacation Home
The house in the Tuscan countryside is beautiful. The location is so lovely with amazing views. The house easily accommodated my party of 8. There is so much space. We had Monica prepare a welcome dinner for us our first night. She is a very good cook and everything came from her farm. Our cheeses served at dinner were made the same day. Monica & Giovanni were the best hosts. I hope to return again one day. Grazie!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The villa was perfect and was in a picturesque spot. I would recommend this to anyone wanting a lovely trip to Tuscany. It's ideally situated between Pisa and Florence, and the local city of Lucca is beautiful.