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Villa, Heated Pool, Spa, Firepit, Outdoor Kitchen, BBQ, Smoker, Pizza Oven,

Villa, Heated Pool, Spa, Firepit, Outdoor Kitchen, BBQ, Smoker, Pizza Oven,

Photo gallery for Villa, Heated Pool, Spa, Firepit, Outdoor Kitchen, BBQ, Smoker, Pizza Oven,

Pool
Hot tub
NHS Heros 2022
Fire pit
Fire pit, pool, summer kitchen and loggia

Overview of Villa, Heated Pool, Spa, Firepit, Outdoor Kitchen, BBQ, Smoker, Pizza Oven,

Reviews
9.8 out of 10 Exceptional
3 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 8280 sq m

Popular amenities

  • PoolPoolPool
  • Hot tubHot tubHot tub
  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • DryerDryerDryer

Explore the area

Map
Lunigiana, Tuscany
  • Popular LocationBagnone Castle16 min drive
  • Popular LocationAppennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park33 min drive
  • Popular LocationLa Spezia Cruise Terminal43 min drive
  • AirportPisa (PSA-Galileo Galilei)81 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

2

3

Bedroom 4

Master

4 bathrooms

Bathroom 4

Toilet · Shower only

En-suite 2

Toilet · Shower only

En-suite 3

Toilet · Shower only

Family bathroom with bath and shower

Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Villa, Heated Pool, Spa, Firepit, Outdoor Kitchen, BBQ, Smoker, Pizza Oven,

Detached villa, light and airy, elegantly furnished, stylish, spacious in private enclosed gardens, parking within the grounds for several cars—smart TV's, Wifi 50mbps.
Complimentary wine and Prosecco on arrival. Hampers on request.
The modern kitchen on the ground floor is equipped with everything you would require to make a fabulous Italian feast. Off the kitchen through the patio doors, dine on the shaded terrace with a sizeable black granite table overlooking the garden.
The heated pool, 9.5 x 4 x 1.5m, is paved with travertine and decking, and the new hot tub with 76 jets has seating for five and includes two chaise Longue. The outdoor kitchen comprises gas and wood-fired BBQs (wood provided), a smoker, a pizza oven, a fridge, a sink and workstation, and a bar with stools, making the friendly side of pizza-making enjoyable. The loggia also offers shaded dining in the garden. The fire pit has comfortable seating to enjoy cosy evenings watching the stars and wildlife that roam the forest. Beautiful lawns surround all this, and beyond are olive terraces and forest.
Inside the villa are three bedrooms, each with a balcony, lovely views, very comfortable beds, memory foam cool mattresses, beautiful white linen, and tasteful furniture that was carefully chosen to give each room individuality and space. White Christy's bath towels and spa bath robes are provided, and four bathrooms 2 are en-suite, all with quality fittings, Carrara marble tiles and heated towel rails. The sitting room is comfortably furnished with a huge log fire and glass door (logs provided). There is a sofa bed in the sitting room and a shower room next door. 50-inch Smart TV, Wifi in all rooms garden and pool area.
The villa is ideally situated on the edge of a medieval village at the foothills of the Apennines, an unspoiled part of Italy, Pisa, Lucca, Florence, and beaches such as Lerici and the Cinque Terre with the five famous fishing villages, all within easy driving distance. You can catch the boat from Lerici or La Spezia to the Cinque Terre; boat hopping is a popular way to see the Cinque Terre. If you prefer to take the train, you can reach all these places from Villafranca, 4km from the property.
The area is a paradise for country lovers; at dawn and dusk, it is possible to see the occasional deer and even wild boar. Watch the eagles and other rare birds as they soar above the hills and down the valleys. There is plenty of walking immediately on the doorstep, and mountaintop meadows are abundant with flowers heavy with perfume. The region is scattered with castles steeped in history; you will enjoy the best of Tuscany, the beautiful landscapes, many local restaurants, good food and a warm Italian welcome.
Chef available for Classic Tuscan dishes or BBQ, Pizza your choice. Food and wine hampers on request.

Property manager

Lynn and Bill Taylor
Premier Host
Premier Host

Languages

English, Italian

Amenities

Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
If event includes non staying guests contact owner

Pets

No pets allowed
Pets owners must contact us before booking.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 50
Note from host: If event includes non staying guests contact owner
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock

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 information in the booking confirmation
A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the area

Villafranca in Lunigiana

Located in Villafranca in Lunigiana, this villa is in a rural area and in the mountains. Museum of the Lunigiana Stele Statues and Museo della Stampa are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Biancani and Pratospilla Ski Resort. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Lunigiana, Tuscany

What's nearby

  • Bagnone Portico - 15 min drive
  • Bagnone Castle - 16 min drive
  • Museum of the Lunigiana Stele Statues - 24 min drive
  • Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park - 33 min drive
  • La Spezia Cruise Terminal - 43 min drive

Getting around

  • Villafranca-Bagnone Station - 13 min drive

Restaurants

  • Biffi Bar - 15 min drive
  • Bar Nello - 13 min drive
  • Antica Pieve - 13 min drive
  • Pizzeria Tipico - 12 min drive
  • Facebar - 13 min drive

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 45 out of 51 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 51 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 51 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 51 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 51 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Max P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Holiday in Tuscany
The villa was even better than expected. The owners Lynn and Bill were fantastics, always ready to help just few mins aways if require. Overall a great stay with the family and ideal spot to relax and as a base to day trips in various locations in Tuscany and Liguria. Five stars plus!
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Eleanor L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely wonderful stay!
The accomodation was absolutely more than perfect. The beds are very comfortable, the house is clean and fully equipped to the max. The outside kitchen with the huge parasol was more than pleasant just like the pool, the garden, the jacuzzi and the fireplace . There was enough space to play soccer, ping pong you name it! Lynn and Bill are superhosts which made our stay worth more than 5 stars. We discovered beautiful new places of Italy.
Stayed 11 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ayelet G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic experience!
Lynn and Bill, our hosts, exceeded all our expectations. They were proactive, helpful, and extremely tuned to our needs. They make us feel at home. The house is beautiful. It’s secluded and peaceful, which is not trivial. Because it’s about 500 meters above see level, the temperature there is much nicer than most of Italy during the summer months. The house is well-equipped and can easily accommodate large groups. The area is beautiful, with many small villages to explore. Highly recommended!
Stayed 16 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Farida K., Boston , MA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Villa Ariola
We had a fabulous time with our family at the villa . Bill and Lynn were incredible hosts and went above and beyond to help us and make our stay comfortable and fun . They helped us plan our activities which included hiking and biking . Their restaurant recommendations were fabulous and the villa has everything you need . It is like home away from home .They were there to help us every step of the way . We loved the pool , the hot tub and the fire pit . The area is so beautiful surrounded by small villages and incredible scenery . Thank - you Bill and Lynn for making it a memorable vacation for our family .
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Wallace S., Glasgow

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
5 star Villa Ariola
We have just returned from a fabulous family holiday in Villa Ariola. The villa is set in an extremely tranquil location and is an ideal spot to unwind and relax. It is an upgraded traditional rustic style Villa with all mod cons. It is very well appointed with everything a family would need. The beautiful outdoor space has something for everyone and is the ideal spot to either chill by the pool through the day, take advantage of the fabulous bbq area, Pizza oven and bar or chill with a drink in the evening watching the stunning night sky that is visible in this hilltop location with minimal light pollution. The Villa is perfectly located to enable exploring Tuscany's many attractions. We were able to visit Florence, Pisa, La Spezia, Sarzana, the Cinque Terre and the stunning local villages of Bagnone and Malgrate. Lynn and Bill are fabulous hosts, nothing was too much trouble and they genuinely go the extra mile to ensure the perfect holiday. We dined in several of the restaurants they had recommended, and kindly booked for us, in the beautiful coastal locations of Porto Venere, Lerici and inland in Filetto and Bagnone. They were all excellent suggestions and the food was fabulous in all of the restaurants. In addition to the excellent restaurant food we were able to enjoy produce from Bill and Lynn's vegetable garden not to mention Bill's delicious home made jam. They also provided an excellent food hamper upon our arrival with everything we needed to get settled in including some excellent wine! In conclusion, a delightful Villa for those wishing to completely relax and get away from it all but still be in a location that enables exploring all Tuscany's numerous attractions.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

About the host

Hosted by Lynn and Bill Taylor

Host profile image
We are both English living in Italy; in 1989, we visited Tuscany many times, searching for a holiday home and eventually discovered a house in the village of Irola. Villa Ariola is our second house here in the village. We had a building company in the UK for many years and have renovated many properties; Villa Ariola took 14 months to complete, with carefully chosen Italian materials to compliment the style of the house. Every time we open the front door, it never fails to wow us and even though we only get to enjoy the place in the winter Villa Ariola is part of us. It hurts to leave, and we are always longing to be back. When we retire, we will live in Italy permanently; until then, we can share our villa with you!

Why they chose this property

Lunigiana is known as undiscovered Tuscany. We love waking up to the sunshine and beauty of nature. It is lovely to walk in the forest collecting wild herbs, fruits, nuts and mushrooms. We also enjoy the wildlife, the swallows, eagles, wild boar, deer, badgers and fireflies at night. We never tire of the landscape. It is so beautiful dramatic, and completely unspoilt. We like to sit outside a bar, watch the world go by, or go into town for lunch and shopping. Often we go for dinner to one of the excellent restaurants close by or down to the sea for the best fish restaurants anywhere on the Mediterranean. Florence Pisa and Lucca are not far, with all the major attractions of Tuscany within easy reach. But these days, we tend not to travel far, enjoying the Villa, pool, hot tub and outdoor kitchen where we entertain friends with great BBQs in the afternoon sun.

What makes this property unique

Villa Ariola is away from the hustle and bustle. Yet, it is close to the beaches, the mountains, the main cities of Lucca, Florence and Pisa, and to all the essential facilities (supermarkets, restaurants). It is your oasis. During the summer, many Italians leave the seaside and cities to the annual mixture of heat mosquitoes and tourists, heading for the hills where the air is cleaner and cooler. We have written a comprehensive 'Guide for Guests'. We describe the beaches and recommend many restaurants, places of interest, boat trips and scenic drives to help you get the best from your holiday. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”

Languages:

English, Italian

Premier Host

Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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