If you have ever dreamt of getting that unique feeling of a past noble life you should reserve some time to visit some of the antique villas around the town of Lucca, for longtime symbol of a kind of status. They were used by the noble families as summer residences and for this reason are plunged in the green countryside among olive groves and vineyards. Both the exterior landscaped gardens and the luxury interiors are still preserved as they were conceived once. Here are some suggestions of beautiful villas which can be visited:
Villa Torrigiani Santini
An impressive Baroque villa whose gardens still preserve their original structure, including some water games. The interior of the villa, which is completely furnished, can also be visited.
Villa Reale di Marlia
This was the favorite residence of Napoleon’s sister, the princess Elisa Baciocchi Bonaparte. It is possible to visit the large park and the marvelous gardens where the famous violinist Paganini performed in a sort of open-air theatre.
Villa Mansi Mansi
The Mansi family was known in Europe as great merchants of silk even before beginning their contacts in the sixteenth century with the noble families ofLucca. The villa, built in the second half of the sixteenth century, still has original frescoes.
Villa Bernardini
This villa, of late Renaissance architecture, dates back to the 17th Century and is the only one which still hosts in its gardens a wonderful green theatre that seats 400. The villa has some very fine and original furnishings.
Villa Grabau
It’s an important villa for the multiplicity of gardens present on its grounds, with orange and lemon houses particularly designed for storing citrus fruit.
Villa Oliva
One of the Renaissance residences of the very wealthy Buonvisi family. The wonderful gardens can be visited. Today the villa is also used for weddings.
Some minor villas can also be rented, for weddings ceremony or for holiday residence. If you want to taste a bit of the villa living atmosphere you should just try
The Versiliana is a renowned villa in Marina di Pietrasanta, a tourist location on the Versilia coast, a few steps away from the beaches and plunged at same time in a florid park of over 80 acres.
Italy’s excellence in fashion and the success of “made in Italy” are quite renowned worldwide. Probably few people know that there are several prestigious fashion schools in Tuscany, where is possible to attend courses of various level. If fashion is your passion, than you shouldn’t lose this opportunity, as well as the one of watching one of the several events of Pitti Immagine (the Fair of all Trade Fairs) held in Florenceduring the year. And to get into the real Italian style feeling nothing better than staying in a traditional villa for your accommodation. Some villas offered by Salogi are a great example of the Italian fashion style, either for the interior original décor than for the quality of the textiles. You will be surprised in finding the colours of some textiles reflecting the natural colours of the country landscape, or details inspired by what is possible to see just outside your window. You will simply love the experience of living a complete Italian life style..