Casa Noscali at Borghetto Farmhouse

Live the Tuscan dream in the countryside in a restored 14th century farmhouse amongst olive groves in the hills above Lucca. Casa Noscali is perfectly situated to take advantage of long valley views from the private terrace. From the pool, the view looks up to the medieval village of San Gennaro whose church bells blend harmoniously with the sound of rushing water and birdsong.

Casa Noscali is one of the six units nestled within the original farmhouse of Il Borghetto, a private gated estate recently restored with all modern conveniences but retaining its original Tuscan beamed ceilings and terra cotta floors. Its sunny corner position with screened and shuttered windows and in- floor radiant heating will make your holiday bright and comfortable in all seasons. Perfect for families or couples, Villa Noscali offers two bedrooms (each with private ensuite bathroom) on the upper floor, sofa and powder room on the main floor, fully equipped modern eat-in kitchen with new appliances and granite countertops, private terrace for al fresco dining, spacious grounds and shared pool. Decorated with a mix of antique and modern furnishings and art, Casa Noscali comes equipped with free WiFi, TV, DVD, iPod dock, games, books, hairdryers, pool loungers, umbrellas and towels, barbecues, all linens, fans, washing machine and drying racks on site, final cleaning, and utilities. All are included to make your holiday easy and enjoyable.

We offer a comprehensive guide to the local sights, shops, restaurants and wine bars and our friend Jim, who lives a few valleys away, will greet you upon arrival and show you around. We can arrange a private chef for a memorable meal or cooking classes and timed tickets for the world class Florence galleries.

Lounge by the pool soaking up the Tuscan sun, explore the immediate area via marked hiking trails at your doorstep, follow the local wine and olive oil route for tastings or test your endurance cycling the hills. The historic villas and gardens of the Lucchese patricians of days gone by are also in the general vicinity and open for tours. Napoleon’s sister once owned one, as did the family of the author of Pinocchio. You can see his villa with beautiful cascading gardens in the nearby village of Collodi, also site of a park dedicated to all things Pinocchio.

Discover Lucca, a typical Italian small city gem, birthplace of Puccini, famous for opera, and home to the Lucca Summer Festival concerts in the main piazza featuring world renowned popular artists. Lucca is surrounded by a spectacular renaissance wall big enough to have a park all around the top. Join the locals on bike or on foot for an outing gazing down on the terra cotta rooftops. From atop the walls you will have a fantastic view of the medieval towers, cobblestoned streets, churches, a Roman amphitheatre and squares galore which typify the town. Much of it is open to pedestrians only, which makes for a very pleasant city in which to amble. An abundance of great restaurants, wine bars and shopping (including a weekly market and one of the biggest antique markets in Italy monthly) await and we can recommend the best.

If a day at the beach is your desire, the Italian Riviera is less than one hour away. Or, catch a boat to the famously scenic Cinque Terre. Of course, the art treasures of Florence can easily be enjoyed for a day from Casa Noscali. Pisa, the hill towns of Chianti, medieval Siena, and the upscale Forte dei Marmi on the sea with designer shopping also offer tantalizing prospects for a day trip in the region.

After taking in the scenery, the sights, the food and the wine, relax in the peace of the surroundings at Casa Noscali in Tuscany, a true home away from home for an authentic Italian experience.

The location of il Borghetto in San Gennaro is superb. In the medium hills above the Lucca plain and below the historic village of San Gennaro, we offer a piece of solitude in the Tuscan hills. Views of vineyards and olive groves are offered from every vantage point on the property. The newly built property features the stones of the 14th century building that stood on this very spot. Modern inside, the apartment retains the Tuscan charm of handmade terra cotta floors and chestnut beam ceilings throughout. Dedicated shared laundry room.

It is advisable to have a car with high suspension to comfortably navigate the 500-meter country dirt road leading to the house.

Enjoy a scenic 20-minute hike up the hill to San Gennaro, where you can savour a meal at the local trattoria, Il Corno Rosso. The area is surrounded by well-marked hiking paths, maintained by the Club Alpino Italiano, offering numerous opportunities for exploration.