Botanic Castle

Rustic Italian fare, picnics on rolling hills, sun-soaked scenery – it could only be the Tuscan countryside. While the lifestyle of this region might conjure up the idea of hearty meals in Nonna’s kitchen, this home offers quite the opposite. Forty minutes away by car from the medieval walled city of Lucca, this villa is another fine example from the medieval era – a former castle. If you’re looking for the royal treatment, you might have found it.

Set among a spectacular array of fruit trees and bushes in its gardens, the scents of lavender, lemon, orange, and rose are thick in the air. With multiple levelled terraces, you can survey your lush kingdom from the top of the castle. You might find yourself particularly drawn to the glimmering, private pool on the lower level. Give your subjects (or family) a wave from the top, before heading down into the historic interiors.

Exposed masonry, flagstone floors, and vintage furnishings complete the look in the lounge. But the kitchen is surprisingly modern, with glossy chrome fixtures and marble floors keeping that luxe edge. We love the tub in the main bedroom en-suite – the only place fit for VIPs to sip champagne after a long day exploring these Tuscan lands.

Home truths:
*Two bedrooms are in the main house, but the third is in the annexe
*Your host provides beach chairs, as well as a high chair
*Firewood isn't provided
*We don't recommend this home for children or people with mobility problems, because of its stairs and layout
*There's a dedicated workspace, plus laptop-friendly spots like the dining table
*Included in your stay, you'll get a welcome basket with breakfast items, a mid-week clean, pool towel changes once a week, and bed linen and bath towel changes twice a week
*The saltwater pool is open from May 1st until October 31st
*Parking is available in a private garage 300 metres from the villa – a driver will take you onwards to the entrance