San Colombano Italy

Filled with history and Italian charm, San Colombano is a wonderful farmhouse with beautiful gardens and a flood-lit swimming pool, set in the foothills of Monte Pisano and very close to the historic town of Lucca.
Sleeping up to 12 guests across six classical bedrooms, each one with air-conditioning and its own en suite bathroom, this is an inviting holiday home for family and friends wanting to spend time together in spacious surroundings. The elegant living area with satellite TV, the grand domed dining room with French windows leading to the garden and the traditional Tuscan kitchen all offer everything you need for a comfortable and relaxing stay.
You can sense the heritage of the villa all around you – in the 19th century it belonged to a famous engineer who created the first working engine in his workshop in the grounds and continued his scientific studies across this home. Nowadays you are more likely to work-out in the fitness room, take advantage of the on-site chef who can prepare breakfast and lunch or dinner for you and enjoy the luxury of almost daily maid service whilst appreciating the historic importance of this beautiful casa.
The jasmine-covered gazebo is an enchanting spot for al-fresco lunches seeking shade from the summer sun or spend evenings dining by the flood-lit swimming pool, accompanied by fine Tuscan food and excellent local wine. Find a moment of solitude as you wander over the lake’s wooden bridge to your own private island with its peaceful bench perched under a century-old tree. In the meantime, families of all ages will love the shared tennis court and football field and the owners can arrange bike hire for you all.
There is a small village and a couple of restaurants within walking distance whilst the stunning town of Lucca is only a ten-minute drive away. Cycle or stroll along its historic walls, discover fine examples of some of Italy’s most wonderful medieval and Renaissance architecture and dine in characterful restaurants found in hidden piazzas or down picturesque lanes.
Pisa and Florence are also superb for magnificent days out or spend time visiting enchanting Tuscan villages and towns filled with historic charm such as Collodi, San Miniato and Empoli. Even the blue-flagged beaches of the Versilia coastline can be reached in half an hour or cross the border into Liguria to discover the romantic villages and shores of the Cinque Terre.
If you can tear yourself away from the glorious gardens of San Colombano, there is so much to discover in this wonderful part of central Italy.In the foothills of Monte Pisano, with lovely views, San Colombano enjoys a fantastic setting, just 6km south of Lucca and near some of northern Tuscany’s most wonderful places to visit.
There are two local restaurants within walking distance and you can also wander to a small village around 2km away. Even closer, sport fans will appreciate the estate’s shared tennis court and football field – just pay to hire rackets and balls.
One of the greatest highlights of this location is its proximity to the exquisite town of Lucca, 6km away. You will want to return again and again as you explore its historic centre, admiring the incredible medieval and Renaissance architecture, dining in excellent restaurants or just enjoying a coffee and gelato in one of the many charming cafes found in pretty squares or cobbled lanes. Walking or cycling along the historic walls is another brilliant experience – come across parks, play areas and gorgeous views.
You can also head to Lucca to catch the train to either Pisa (16km) or Florence (84km) – the owners can also arrange guided tours and private drivers. Spend an amazing day visiting historic sights, galleries and boutiques as well as experiencing city life in two of Tuscany’s world-famous gems.
The little Tuscan village of Collodi (24km) is also a delight (especially for children who can enjoy the Pinocchio theme park), as is Vinci (48km), a must for art-lovers with Leonardo da Vinci’s birthplace and museum.
Montecatini Terme (36km) features a number of spas and is a great place for shopping in impressive surroundings. Take the old-fashioned funicular to the pretty village of Montecatini Alto for magnificent views.
If you feel like a trip to the beach then the vibrant summer resorts of Viareggio (30km) and Forte dei Marmi (40km) are both within easy reach for watersports, lidos, fantastic beaches and a lively ambience.
This is also a superb location for driving as far as the Ligurian coast with lovely villages and beaches along the rather romantic Golfo dei Poeti. A little further north is the renowned and very popular Cinque Terre National Park with its historic seaside villages perched above the sea and stunning scenery – it’s been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site with good reason.
The beautiful countryside of this region offers horse-riding, many cycling opportunities (guests can hire bikes from the villa’s owner) as well as some wonderful walking, especially around Monte Pisano. As well as watersports along the coast, find river rafting, kayaking and canyoning around an hour north of Lucca near Garfagnana. At Excellence Luxury Villas we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the
concierge request form or contact Excellence Luxury Villas Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
– Maid service/extra cleaning – Private chef/cook/catering- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge- Local day-trips or tours- Airport pick-up/drop-off- Babysitting / childcare services
Extras included at this property:
– Daily maid service (except Sundays)- Optional daily chef service for preparation of breakfast and lunch or dinner, except Wednesdays (please note guests will have to pay for the cost of food and beverages which is from €12 per person for breakfast and €40/€45 per person for lunch/evening meal)- Concierge service (on-site or on-call)
Extras available at this property (payable locally):
– Extra maid service- Extra catering/chef service- Staff service – Driver service – Personal grocery shopping – Bike hire (on-site)- Racket and ball hire for estate’s tennis court (€30 per hour)- Local activities and excursions- Guided tours
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!