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Italia

AN OVERVIEW:     Among its attributes is the unrivaled peace and tranquility - coupled with a sense of privacy and security...without feeling isolated.   Although being only a 7 minute drive from the nearby village, and with near neighbors (farmers who also take care of the gardens, olive groves and vegetable gardens for the villa) there is nothing to disturb you.   The house is not on an airline flight-path nor near any heavily trafficked road.   Additionally, the air - and water - is pristine.  In fact the area is celebrated in Italy for these qualities.  Ancient Tuscan hill-towns with delightful Romanesque churches can be explored on the surrounding hills, while the area provides unique opportunities for thrilling outdoor adventures.  Yet the cultural delights of Lucca are only 40 minutes away, and Florence, Carara & Pietrasanta (marble quarries, galleries and working artists) are close by, as are the beaches of Forte di Marmi, Viareggio and others.
Lucca, Florence, Pisa all have a constantly changing cycle of exhibitions and cultural activities --- while, of course --- the art, architecture and museums alone, could keep you busy for a lifetime.  
The villa is located at the start of the Gargfagnana Valley:  the area is renowned for its physical beauty, benign climate (except, perhaps, in February) and the passion for the production of organic and artisanal foods --- prosciutto, cheese, honey, oil, chestnut products & porcini.   It's an area famous for its hiking trails.    Every season brings its own series of local events;  from summer jazz and rock concerts, outdoor Puccini festivals, celebrations of local food & seasonal specialities --- porcini, chestnuts, wild boar in the surrounding villages.  The regional olive oil is renowned.  September is porcini season and the grape harvest;  October/November brings olive picking and fresh oil, cinghiale (wild boar), and chestnuts.  Staying here an experience of going back in time to 'old Tuscany'.    
The area is renowned for the purity of air and water and the summer climate. (Our spa town was the favorite summer gathering place for 19C British & Russian aristocracy because of it's benign temperatures.) The Garfagnana valley  begins here and there is superb hiking, white-water rafting, paragliding, horseback riding, tennis and mountain biking, all available in the immediate neighborhood. The spectacular walled city of Lucca (the birthplace of Puccini) is 40 minutes away, as is the ski area of Abetone. The Cinque Terre, the beaches of Forte di Marmi and Viareggio are easily accessible, Florence & Pisa are  easily accessible by car, train and bus as are the towns of the Chianti.
A local farmer and his wife live in an adjacent - but private - structure, and take care of the grounds, gardens, and olive orchards.   They have worked with us for 30+ years and are delightul people - although speak little English;  but it does mean that there is usually someone on the extended property and can be helpful in emergencies and that security is not an issue.   The driveway is gated - guests are provided with remote access units.  
The villa is almost equidistant from the Florence and Pisa airports providing connections throughout Europe.
THE VILLA'S LIVING AREAS:    Living areas of are located on three levels --- connected by interior staircases.     • The entry/ground level comprises the main kitchen (with adjacent dining area);  the study/TV room with fireplace;  the entrance hall;  2nd study/office (with fireplace) that also serves as a living room for the adjacent double bedroom with ensuite bathroom.   The very large,  main living room (with wood stove) has the main dining area (seating 14) within an alcove with enormous arched windows that completely fold back and open to views of mountains, hilltop towns and the river valley.   There is an additional full guest bathroom on this floor.
THE GUEST ROOMS:   There are seven guest bedrooms & 6.5 bathrooms.                                                             • The upper level comprises two of the principal, double, guest-rooms.   One with fireplace, ensuite bathroom (2 showers); the other with ensuite bathroom and an adjoining, private loggia - sitting area (with a small kitchen) and large  windows which fold back to the same views as the living room, although even more dramatic.  Five of the bedrooms have screened windows and air conditioning...some with ceiling fans.
                         • The lower level consist of four bedrooms:   three located around a large central living room/playroom and sharing one and half bathrooms, as well as an additional bathroom up a flight of stairs.   Two bedrooms have fireplaces;  three have frescoes.   Two contain two single beds each;  one is a canopied bed with a private terrace looking over lavender terraces:  this bedroom is air conditioned.   Additionally, the former chapel is a very private suite --- with a bedroom and large sitting area, a private entrance to both upper and lower courtyards, air conditioning and an en suite bathroom.   The chapel bedroom and laThe full laundry is also on this level.
INTERIOR DETAILS:    Bathrooms and kitchens are finished with marble and hand-painted tile:   All have bidets and most have separate baths as well as showers.  (Of course, all linens & towels - including pool towels - are provided, and are of superior quality.)
The villa is furnished with an extensive collection of antique furniture, and contemporary art and has wireless satellite internet with coverage in the house, courtyards and pool areas;  satellite TV (and large, eclectic selection of DVD's), and a very large library;  Sonos music systems - with CD's and internet inputs; multiple fireplaces; a full laundry, and up-to-date mechanical systems. A ping-pong table, bocce court, Foosball, board games & toys provide other entertainment options.   There is a crib, high chair, child gates for staircases, and other equipment for infants.   (Guests with small children, should note that the house has stone and terracotta floors, a number of staircases and some low parapets.)   There is a gym equipped with rowing machines, cross-trainer, treadmill and full-body workout unit.
There are two kitchens in the villa.   The main kitchen has a gas/electric  7 burner chefs cooktop and two ovens.  A large refrigerator, food processor, various coffee-makers, toasters, microwave and other smaller appliances.  The smaller kitchen has a single large oven, 5 burner stove, toaster, microwave, and refrigerator.    Elsewhere, there is an additional refrigerator for use with large parties.  

ENTERTAINMENT AREAS:   The Pool:  the  13m x  5m (40 x 15ft) tiled pool ( it also has a small child paddling area) is on its own, completely private, terrace with magnificent views over the surrounding hills, forests and villages and has shaded grape & wisteria arbors, seating, dining and lounging areas.  The villa has multiple places for entertaining guests - both inside and outside.  Outside:  The property is 10 ha. (20+ acres)  of lavender terraces, olive groves, vegetable gardens,  pool  walking paths and chestnut & acacia forest.  
There are two courtyards - one with ping-pong,  Foosball, a basketball net:  the other has a shaded dining table & cocktail seating area (and working 18C. pizza oven) and both gas and charcoal barbeques.  In addition to the pergola with dining table at the pool (seats 14), there is a hammock pergola near the pool;  &  seating around the bocce court.  There is a smaller  dining area for breakfast and dinner outside the kitchen.   
  Inside, is the large salon with comfortable seating and separate dining area;  and a further dining area (seats 8+ ) is in the huge kitchen   A study/TV room with fireplace;  a second small sitting room on the ground floor; a large "playroom" with games; and a seating loggia (with small kitchen) with wonderful views on the top floor.   
The pool & hot tub are tiled and filtered with a salinator purification system, and a number of solar units help provide hot water, and service various mechanical systems.  The pool is normally available from the beginning of June to mid-September.  Please discuss having it open earlier or later in the season with us.  
Guests have access to  a variety of catering options - from gourmet chefs to local pizzaiole (pizza-makers), available by arrangement, as is a masseuse. Organic seasonal fruits, vegetables, olive oil and honey are all produced at the villa. A holiday planning service is available (by arrangement) to help plan your  time here,  or just to schedule and book activities:  possibilities include cooking lessons, guided winery and artisanal food tours, hiking, & river rafting  in addition other recreational and educational tours and activities for both adults and children.  Public tennis courts are available in the local village.
 On your arrival, a 'Meet & Greet' service is provided  by the property manager to familiarize you wit the house and it's systems - and will meet with you prior to your departure.  Alessia is also available for any emergencies or assistance.    A local maintenance person is on call. The nearby village has a small emergency clinic and ambulance service, as well as banks, supermarkets, pharmacies, a newsagent (English papers can be ordered) some restaurants and cafès.  FedEx packages can be received at the local café
The airports in Pisa (1 hour) and Florence (75 minutes) provide easy access, and the area is also served by bus and train service.  A car is, however, necessary.    An excellent car service English speaking) or both airport pickups and local touring is also available.
A housekeeper comes in to the villa  (10 am to 2 pm) for 4 hours per day, three times a week for basic cleaning - vacuuming, dusting, cleaning bathrooms and kitchens.  She is not expected to clean dishes, do personal laundry or make beds, but these - and other services - are available by arrangement directly with her.  All basic bathroom supplies - including hair dryers, soaps, toilet paper etc are provided...as are all cleaning supplies for the kitchen and the house. Salts, spices, candles etc are provided for the kitchen.
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS:   If you're familiar with Italian houses you will know that electrical supply is an issue, and running multiple appliances simultaneously, is often not possible:  this is not a problem at Fronzola.     The house is heated with hot-water radiators fed with a very large, efficient wood furnace.   The staff keep the furnace fed with fuel during winter months.    The hot-tub is heated with a combination of solar and gas heating.   Summer hot water is provided with a combination of solar and - when necessary - wood pellets.  Gas and electricity are metered.

Villa Lavanda

Spent a week at the villa and it's the kind of place you never want to leave. I don't think it's possible to feel as rested anywhere else. We were hosted impeccably - a pizza night and a masseuse were arranged for us. The house had everything we could need and was the epitome of comfort. You know it's somewhere special when you don't want to leave the moment you arrive. We did some day trips to Lucca and Florence, but honestly could have lazily spent every waking moment lying by the pool, playing 'bocce' below the villa or lazying reading in cool corners of the house. We cannot wait to return!

Utter bliss

This villa is out of this world. Magnificent location, stunning architecture, comfortable. We had a great time here, and we will absolutely be back.

One of the best places on earth

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Villa Lavanda. In any other house stay, big variations in the weather on a daily basis (typical for September in Tuscany) would have been frustrating. But at the Villa, it just gave us an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful pool and table-tennis on the sunny days and equally enjoy the fireplace, very cozy interiors and hot-tub on the rainy or colder days. 

The location is ideal. While feeling perfectly tucked away and having complete privacy, there are a number of villages and towns close-by for sightseeing and grocery shopping trips.  

The pictures don’t do the Villa justice, it is even more lovely in-person. You’ll find everything in the home that you could possibly need. The kitchen is fit for a chef, the beds are very comfortable, and there are plenty of spaces to spread out through-out the property. 

We absolutely recommend staying at Villa Lavanda!

Great Stay!

We celebrated our 60th birthdays at Villa Lavanda with six other couples. It is difficult to describe the experience at the Villa. The location is breathtaking, private, with magnificent views of the area. The Villa it’s self was more than we could have imagined, even after seeing the pictures on line we were amazed. It is full of beautiful pieces of art, extensive book collection and interesting pieces everywhere you look. It also has a lovely lived in feel with the Cohen’s personal touches everywhere. The bedrooms are fantastic and lovely sitting rooms adjacent to each bedroom makes for private space even though there were 14 of us in the Villa. It’s hard to put into words how to describe the Villa, but “Perfect” comes to mind.
 
The staff make the home feel as if it were your own, helpful, unobtrusive and wonderfully friendly. Alessia was wonderful and so helpful with booking restaurants and taxi’s for us. Nothing seemed too difficult and was always on call for us. We had dinner in the Villa three nights and all three nights were fantastic. Pizzas to die for one night, a beautiful meal by Simon and Lisa one night and our final Birthday meal by Paola and her staff. The best thing was seeing the food being prepared and then served to us in 5 star fashion and then at the end of the night all the dishes were done and the kitchen was spotless and even left overs in the fridge. Fantastic nights.
 
The walks from the Villa were beautiful and varied. The village of Bagni de Lucca is within walking distance, although the walk back was strenuous, it is a lovely walk. The Villa is situated close enough to Lucca that a trip by train from Fornoli was an easy day out. We also did Cinque Terra in a day and Siena or Pisa are easy trips.  
 
We had morning yoga sessions around the pool area overlooking the mountains. Lovely breakfast each morning with all of us easy being able to do our own thing in the kitchen without it seeming too crowded.
 
The experience we take from staying in your beautiful home is something we will never forget, a special place for a special time, lots of love laughter and fun was had.
 
Thank you Jonathan for letting us experience your lovely Villa.
 
Janie and Bob Moldowan


60th Birthday Celebrations!

I just spent a week at your beautiful home in Tuscany with Robin and Tony and what an amazing experience. The initial drive finding your home was an adventure but what a treat to be dropped into paradise for a week with great wine, olive oil, honey, and to my great surprise, a world class art collection!  As  Alessia was touring us through the entire home my jaw was on the floor—each room so beautifully curated. 

I cannot thank you enough for sharing your home with us. It was truly a magical week that naturally went by too fast. 

The Art Collection

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