Stunning Tuscan Luxury Villa with Full-Size Private Pool and Panoramic 360 View
- Villa2368 sq. ft.
- People: 12
- Bedrooms: 6
- Bathrooms: 5
- Separate WCs: 1
- Min. Stay: 3–7 nights
Villa near Bagni di Lucca, Tuscany - Tranquil Panoramic Location, Set in 34 Acre
Bedrooms
Owner
Patricia and John Gray
- Languages:
- English, French, German, Italian
About Patricia and John Gray
Patricia and John come from a Hertfordshire village. John is a retired quantity surveyor. They have two grown-up children who adore spending time at La Dioma , either chilling out in the lovely hot summers or skiing and snowboarding in the winter. They also now have two little grandchildren who adore coming on holiday to La Dioma, especially swimming and jumping in the pool! One of the first rental owners in the Bagni di Lucca area, John and Patricia have an established history of 12 years of renting their holiday home to very happy guests from all over the world - as their guestbook will testify!
Patricia and John Gray purchased this Villa in 2002
Why Patricia and John Gray chose Bagni di Lucca
We spent three weeks in Italy looking for a small holiday home with no land. We found La Dioma, a three storey detached house with 34 acres of land! We fell in love with the spectacular peaceful location and the magnificent views of the mountains and the pretty town of Bagni di Lucca in the valley below. The original features of the house were covered with plaster, but initial prodding revealed huge period chestnut beams, cotto tiles, fireplaces and rock walls. We set about lovingly restoring La Dioma to its former beauty. After two years, the house was renovated, furniture purchased and the magnificent swimming pool and sun-bathing terrace finished. Patricia learnt Italian, and John - let's say it's work in progress! We feel very privileged to own our own corner of Tuscany with our property known locally as "paradiso"!
What makes this Villa unique
Apart from the stunning natural beauty and tranquility of the area, staying at La Dioma is a real Italian experience. This is not an area of mass tourism. Our neighbours are busy going to work, tending vegetable gardens, making wine and olive oil, picking mushrooms, hunting wild boar and stacking wood for the winter. They may not speak much English but they are incredibly kind, hardworking, fun-loving and friendly. Everything revolves around the family and often food! There are so many great local restaurants and cafes with authentic and reasonably-priced food, it is difficult to decide which one to go to! On the other hand, barbecuing lazily on the terrace with a few beers or a bottle of wine, and popping into the swimming pool and soaking up the lovely views, isn't a bad option either!
Facilities
Featured
- Children Welcome
- Pets Welcome
- TV
- No Smoking
- Washer & Dryer
- Internet
- Satellite or Cable
- Heater
- Fireplace
- Parking
- Swimming pool
- Accessible
Bathrooms
- Bathrooms: 5, Separate WCs: 1
House Rules
Check-in: 15:00
Check-out: 10:00
Parties/events allowed
Pets allowed
Children allowed
Max guests:12
Only bookings Saturday to Saturday are allowed during Late Spring, Early Summer, High Summer and Late Summer.
Cancellation Policy
100% refund for cancellations more than 60 days before check-in date.
20 Reviews
Five star stay!
We spent nearly two weeks at La Dioma in October of 2019 and it was just what we were looking for. We wanted a quiet place to escape and restore during a time of sabbatical from work and other commitments and this certainly was an excellent choice.
While the drive from Bagni Di Lucca is intimidating, after several days we were navigating it (nearly) like the locals. DO NOT attempt a large vehicle as there are several very tight passages in Guzzano just before you arrive at the house and take caution on the many curves on the road approaching. Take your time,,,the locals may tailgate, honk and be frustrated with you but in the end what matters is arriving safely.
The views from the home are of course stunning and the seclusion was welcomed as the neighboring homes are a bit of a distance away. The traditional stone, tile and timber home was beautiful, clean and well cared for inside and out. Housekeeping came mid-stay for new linens and a cleanup which was welcomed. It was too cold to use the pool but we would have felt very private had we done so. The home itself is furnished well and although there were only two of us it would certainly host a large group well.
Dining at Bar Santini in San Cassiano was delightful and we had a few informal meals in BDL but we prepared most of our meals in the well equipped kitchen at home. Definitely take advantage of the markets in Fornoli and Bagni Di Lucca on the given days to collect your produce and other items. The several supermarkets in town had most all we needed. Prices at both restaurants and grocers were surprisingly reasonable with our nicest four course meals costing €30-40 for the two of us! We had a cook come in to prepare a meal one evening which was fantastic and would have fed six people and the fee was very reasonable!
There are too many cute little towns and restaurants to list but one of our favorites was the cliff city of Montefegatesi. Make sure to walk to the top to see the view from the Dante memorial as it is breathtaking!
Most of the locals do not speak English but with our little bit of Italian, Google Translater and a good deal of sign language and gesturing we made out well and it added to the adventure!
If your only experience in Italy has been Rome, Florence, Pisa, etc, we can highly recommend visiting this most beautiful part of this very special country and can highly recommend La Dioma!
We are so pleased you had a wonderful time at La Dioma and many thanks for your fantastic review of our property. The swimming pool is generally closed down at the end of September but we agreed to leave it open for the previous guests that arrived at the beginning of October so that their children could enjoy themselves.
John and Patricia
Absolutely stunning
One of the most beautiful properties we have ever stayed at. We has such a fantastic week at La Dioma that it was hard to leave the house to explore the local area! Sitting out on the terrace or by the pool taking in the stunning view was just too wonderful. We did make it out to Lucca and Isola Santa however which were both well worth the visit. Thank you so much for sharing your fantastic house - we didn’t want to leave!
A very big thank you Elizabeth for your wonderful review of our property. We are so pleased you had a great time at La Dioma.
John and Patricia
Stunning!
Its just a big WOW when you get to this property. There was 12 of us staying for my 50th birthday,a bit of chilling,walking and barbies had as well as a beautiful meal in a bagni restaurant. Looking to go back already and wish we had had 2 weeks.
Thank you Catherine for your great review of our property. We are so pleased you had a lovely time at La Dioma and you are very welcome to return one day.
John and Patricia
Very well appointed house .big enough for 12 adults to have their own space. Amazing view.
The road seemed to get wider every time we drove to and from the house. Bagni di lucca is a very quaint town with several great restaurants we ate at several of them. Great base for Pisa Lucca and Florence Thankyou for many wonderful memories.
Thanks Glenn for your lovely review of our property. We are so pleased you had a great time at La Dioma.
John and Patricia
Beatiful week undet the Tuscan sun!
Had a great time in this wonderful house. It was so comfortable and we had plenty of room for our two children, sons in law, and 3 grandchildren ages 6, 3 and 6 months. The ride up to the house was an experience the first few times but then we became very comfortable with the trip. We only used the pool once because we were out and about, but loved the whole setting and views were spectacular
Hi Barbara
We are so pleased you had a lovely time at La Dioma and thank you for your wonderful review of our property.
Excellent accommodation
There were eight of us, all adults, staying at this villa and it was perfect for us. It felt well maintained, almost new, and the position and outlook were exceptional. The local area was beautiful, really easy to get around, and the locals were very friendly. I would highly recommend this property and area for a holiday and would love to go back.
Hi Paul
We are so pleased you had a great time at La Dioma and thanks for your wonderful review.
Best wishes
John and Patricia
Location
Special interest holidays:
Bagni di Lucca is a vibrant spa town on the edge of the Garfagnana, an area of outstanding natural beauty with mountain ranges, mountain passes to the Mediterranean coast, lush valleys, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, canyons, and caves with wonderful rock formations. It is a popular area for walking, climbing, cycling, touring, birdwatching, and exploring the numerous hilltop medieval villages. The area is also popular for painting holidays and cookery classes - available locally.
Coast/Beach:
The chic seaside resort of Viareggio on the Mediterranean coast is 45 minutes drive away. A day trip the beautiful Cinque Terre coastal area is a wonderful experience.
Travel:
The village of Guzzano is situated four kilometres from Bagni di Lucca. The walled medieval city of Lucca is half an hour’s drive away, Pisa (with its international airport) an hour’s drive and beautiful Florence an hour and a half away. Car hire is recommended for this area.
Distances:
Bagni di Lucca is 4 kms from the property. Lucca is about 30 minutes drive. Pisa one hour drive. Florence 1½ hours drive. Beautiful Barga, one of the principal towns in the Garfagnana, is about 30 minutes drive.
Further Details:
Bagni di Lucca is situated on the banks of the beautiful Lima river. The town has a great selection of reasonably-priced restaurants, pizzerias, ice cream parlour, patisserie, cafes and bars. There are several supermarkets, butcher, baker, and other shops, banks, a twice-weekly market selling local produce, a large public swimming pool and a lovely town park with a children's playground. There are several pretty bridges, including an historic chain foot-bridge, which provide lovely views of the natural river and wildlife. There is a recently renovated lovely casino with a tourist information point. The town has a special historical connection with the UK from the Victorian age, with an 'English Church' and an English Cemetery. The renowned spa is open to the public to take advantage of the thermal waters and minerals with a range of health and beauty treatments. There are a number of recommended walks incorporating the main features of the town and the spa, as well churchs, chapels, monuments and other points of historic interest in the surrounding hills.