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The True Paradise In Tuscany - Villa del Cardinale

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December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for The True Paradise In Tuscany - Villa del Cardinale

Outdoor pool, a heated pool
Terrace/patio
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Unclassified image, 4 of 36, button
Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, books

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

6 bedrooms5 bathroomsSleeps 123767 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Hot Tub
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Parking available
  • Breakfast available

Explore the area

Map
Lucca, Toscana
  • Walls of Lucca
    8 min drive
  • Hotel Villa Cheli
    6 min walk
  • Lucca Station
    9 min drive
  • Lucca (LCV)
    19 min drive

Room options

About the neighborhood

Lucca

Located in Lucca, this villa is in a rural location, within a 10-minute drive of Walls of Lucca and Porta Sant'Anna. .This family-friendly villa is 9.1 mi (14.6 km) from Leaning Tower and 2.9 mi (4.6 km) from Lucca Polo Fiere.
View more Villas in LuccaOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Walls of Lucca - 8 min drive
  • Piazza Napoleone - 10 min drive
  • Cathedral of St Martin - 11 min drive
  • Guinigi Tower - 12 min drive
  • Piazza dell'Anfiteatro - 12 min drive

Getting around

  • Lucca Station - 9 min drive
  • Galileo Galilei Airport (PSA) - 24 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Pizzeria Zio Jo - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Hotel Villa Cheli - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Pasticceria Bar Sottopoggio - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Pizzeria Irma - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Cucina dello Scompiglio - ‬6 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

The True Paradise In Tuscany - Villa del Cardinale

Beautiful villa from the 1600 renovated with high level of beauty and comfort. Originally, the villa was built by the famous Cardinal Francesco Bonvisi as his private study and meditation retreat. The property offers a gorgeous view over the Lucca valley and yet is located just 5 minutes' drive from the walls of Lucca and 20 minutes from the airport of Pisa. Firenze (Florence) is only 45 minutes away by car. The estate is surrounded by 16 acres of olive trees and boasts 4 large bedrooms with en-suite bathroom, Studio with double bed sofa, heated swimming pool, Patio for al fresco dining. One of the bedrooms has a suite with sofa where two young persons can sleep. In addition to the 4 large bedrooms, the study has a double bed sofa to accommodate 2 more persons - thus providing accommodation for 12 persons in all. Air conditioning in all rooms. Furthermore, we provide a baby bed and chair.

Our key holder will enthusiastically assist you in organizing an unforgettable stay, with wine tasting experience, or help you find a Tourist guide, or guide you to the most exclusive and exciting shopping. We have two amazingly clever Chefs de Cuisine that you can book for in-house dining or other important culinary experiences.

In the nearest neighborhood there are two hotels that can accommodate larger groups.
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned villa, which features a fireplace and a private pool. There's a private balcony or patio. A kitchen is outfitted with a refrigerator, an oven, and a stovetop. A Smart television and a DVD player are provided for your entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected.
Take advantage of recreation opportunities including an outdoor pool and a spa tub. Additional amenities at this villa include concierge services and barbecue grills.
Breakfast is available for a fee.
Guests will find features like internet access, onsite parking, and a car charging station.

Property manager

Fabio Manzetti

Languages

English, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Heated pool
  • Massage
  • Outdoor pool
  • Private pool
  • Spa tub

Internet

  • Available in the villa: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Breakfast available for a fee
  • Chef service
  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 6 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 5 private bathrooms
  • Bidet
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Stereo
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Coin laundry
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Printer

Climate control

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (limited availability)
  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In a village
  • Near a hospital

Things to do

  • Golf
  • Heated pool
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Comprehensive food waste policy
  • Comprehensive recycling policy
  • Electric car charging station
  • Garden
  • Unit size: 3,767 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 24

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
This property accepts cash
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number IT046017C2OPW5IKFM

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 recommended for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

True Paradise Tuscany Villa Cardinale Lucca
True Paradise Tuscany Cardinale Lucca
True Parase Tuscany Carnale L
The True Paradise In Tuscany - Villa del Cardinale Villa
The True Paradise In Tuscany - Villa del Cardinale Lucca
The True Paradise In Tuscany - Villa del Cardinale Villa Lucca

The True Paradise In Tuscany - Villa del Cardinale Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 41 out of 45 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 45 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 45 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 45 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 45 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Inese M., Port Dover, Ontario Canada

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Tuscany
What a beautiful spot! The perfect house for our family celebrating a special anniversary. The bedrooms allowed each couple to have privacy. The views were stunning. The photos on the website don’t do it justice! We took full advantage of the personal chefs recommended by the house information book. Wow! Best meals ever! The only thing is, you really do need to have a car. Lucca is almost an hour walk on a busy road with limited sidewalks,and the walk back is obviously uphill all the way. Definitely recommend this villa for a group stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steve F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise in Tuscany
The property exceeded expectations! The villa is charming, a wonderful combination of old and new. It has been renovated to excellent modern standards with respect to appliances and facilities, without losing its old-world charm. There is ample and excellent help. The owner Fabio was completely accessible by phone or email, and was always helpful. The proximity to Lucca, a charming walled city, and to the rest of Tuscany, made wider visiting east. We had a wonderful stay.
Stayed 28 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Philip J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Good villa, good location
Comfortable and well equipped though you have to hunt for things sometimes. Excellent pool, beds and living areas. Mosquito spray essential in August!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Steven E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great View and En-suites for Bedrooms
A well maintained property on a lovely hill. The rooms were large, with each having a bathroom. The area around the pool was great. Wished the sun was able to heat the pool enough to enjoy, but it was too cold. The two items that were slight negatives, but we aware about when booking, was the stairs and the road up to the property. The stairs were steep and the bottom two steps were sloped forward and required caution when coming down. The road to the property had some very large pot holes. But overall, a beautiful place and very relaxing site.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Diane T.

Liked: Cleanliness
SUPERBES VACANCES EN TOSCANE
La residence est très confortable pour 9 personnes. nous avons particulièrement apprécié la piscine.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Daniel E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Stay
Visited Villa della Cardinale with my family and another; 10 people total. The Villa had more than enough space as our kids were able to room together easily. Beautiful property with a stunning view over Lucca. Fabio and Beatrice were both very responsive and easy to work with. Our families had an amazing time and loved the ease of seeing much of Tuscany from our home base. The Villa is very well positioned for day trips. Air conditioning and the swimming pool were great on the warmer June days. La Pearla, a coffee shop and pasticceria at the bottom of the street is a hidden gem as well!
Stayed 42 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Julia B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Setting for a family holiday
First of all I would like to thank Beatrice for being absolutely beyond amazing with making sure everything was perfect during our stay. The property is located a mere 10 min drive from Lucca and close to the motorway which is convenient for excursions and day trips to Pisa, Florence, Volterra etc . Lots of space in and outdoors and a lovely pool are a beautiful setting for a tranquil holiday. Thank you very much for a great stay
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

JIM O'HARA

Liked: Cleanliness
Very beautiful place
The most homely beautiful villa to experience Tuscan life, and a special word of thanks and appreciation to Beatrice who saw to all our needs, will return, thank you
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Beth W., San Antonio

Liked: Cleanliness
Fabulous villa with views
It was everything I was looking for my 50th birthday celebration. Plenty of room for entertaining guests. A true Tuscan experience. Lucca is minutes away and a true delight. Enjoyed getting to know the community. The property manager and staff were incredibly helpful in getting to know the area and the owner was a fabulous host. We enjoyed the locally produced olive oil tremendously. We will come again!
Stayed 29 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

WILLIAM Y., Columbia, South Carolina, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise overlooking Lucca
Three married couples spent 7 nights at this wonderful home. It was so tranquil and quiet we all fell in love with the location. The sunrises in the morning, the singing birds, the cool breezes, the great gardens, the comforts of home away, - all made this villa a place that we hope to return to someday. There are three floors in the Villa. The kitchen, separate dining, and a small office/bedroom with full bath on the ground floor. The living room and a master bedroom with large bathroom is on the next floor. The top floor has a large bedroom with small bathroom (shower only). The other bedroom on top floor is smaller, but has a sitting room, and larger bath with tub. There is a separate building (the annex) with a 5th bedroom and large bathroom. The clothes washer and dryer are also in the annex. The building location is high on a hill, which resulted in pleasant breezes most days. We could see the buildings in old Lucca as well as the aqueduct that runs across the valley. This Villa is the highest home on the hill – so there is absolute privacy. We never ate in the dining room as the weather was so nice – there is a table for 10 located outside under a freestanding roof. Additionally there was three other areas outside to sit (patio outside kitchen; table for 6 under olive trees; Cabana next to pool) which meant there was always somewhere in shade or sun to relax. Maria came one night to serve a wonderful home cook Tuscan style meal. The left overs were great the next day as well. The beds were very comfortable, water pressure is good, and everything in kitchen was functional and well stocked with every dish you need. Given it is an old building – there are quirky things such as un-level floors, a low kitchen doorway (watch your head), and minimal electrical outlets, it is very well done from the perspective of plumbing and kitchen appliances. We had rented a large Fiat Talento van (9 passenger). Driving up the road to the Villa meant brushing up against the olive trees along the road. Also the parking area at the Villa required some back and forth to turnaround the large van – small car would be ok. Can’t imagine not having a vehicle – while close to Lucca – it is not walkable. With Lucca 5 minutes away we frequently went there for meals. We drove to LaSpezia (1 hour) to see Cinque Terre via train. Florence is only an hour away (park at Villa Costanza parking on autostrada and take Tram into town) and Pisa is only 20 minutes
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019

6/10 Okay

john s.

The property has a great valley view and nice landscape. The house is outdated and far from village.
There are many highlights of our experience: - Aurora and Maria were terrific. From their kind and thoughtful service to the great food prepared for meals at the villa - they are simply superb! - the grounds are very pretty from the view of the valley to the beautiful olive trees, a nice pool area and relaxing outdoor dining table - all made time spent outside very enjoyable. There are a couple of important aspects of the experience that were disappointing: - the villa was much more remote to the village than we thought. It was more than an hour walk and it was across some busy streets. We also could not get taxis to navigate the gravel sections of the access roads. We ended up using Lucca limo - who were great - and it ended up adding significant expense and planning each day we went. - the villa itself has great potential. Our biggest issue is that kitchen was outdated and very small. The refrigerator, stove, coffee maker and toaster were very old and the space to work in limited to 2-3 people. There were also a lot of ants on the counters and sink. The wifi didn't work the first three days. The bathrooms had some updating done but with our group having some large people - up to 6'5" tall - some showers and toilets were hard to use. I offer these inputs only to help make future experiences better. We appreciate Fabio and Mari's hospitality and Aurora and Maria's wonderful service.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Wendy H., San Francisco

Villa Del Cardinale made my dream vacation come true!
For 20+ years, I've been dreaming of an Italian vacation that included a luxurious, well-appointed villa, with kind and helpful staff, stunning views, and proximity to the best of Tuscany. You can imagine my happiness, when Villa Del Cardinale made all those dreams come true. We were met by the charming "key keeper," Aurora, who presented us with bottles of local prosecco and Fabio's organic olive oil, pressed from the trees surrounding his magnificent property. Aurora took us on a tour of the 4 suites--perfect for my family of five: husband, 2 sons and girlfriend. (There's actually room for 8.) Each room had its own en-suite bathroom; every room had air conditioning (a must!) including the master bath with huge jacuzzi tub. That night, Maria & Aurora cooked us an amazing 4-course dinner of local specialities, highlighting tomatoes from Maria's own garden & Aurora's homemade Tiramisu with berries! We ate on the terrace to candlelight, serenaded by cicadas. Heaven! It was a 10 minute walk down the hill to Bar La Perla, where we could drop in for a cappuccino, a breakfast pastry, a sandwich, gelato--or a full bar with local wines. Aurora set up a wine tasting for us at a lovely wine coop neabry. It was helpful to have a rental car though, for jaunts into Lucca (10 min) and Florence (60 min)--since taxis were hard to convince to come to fetch us. Honestly, when you are in heaven--why leave? Many of our crew spent the entire week right at the Villa! We barely left. We swam, napped, made music, read. Maria left enough supplies to create a 2nd dinner and we found a great Salumeria in Lucca. We breakfasted each morning under the olive trees soaking in the view. A few times we ate in Lucca (lovely walled town) and a few of us went to Florence, which was an easy drive. But mostly we enjoyed the luxury of a 4-bedroom villa high above the Tuscan hills. It was the most relaxing vacation of my life! Fabio and Mari are consummate hosts--they communicated thoroughly and promptly at every juncture. Aurora was a dream. The house, grounds, pool were immaculate. Maria (who cleans as well as cooks) came 3 times that week to clean and change the linens, as did the gardener/pool attendant. Everyone was so helpful and attentive and kind. I wasn't looking for nightlife or sightseeing--I dreamt of comfort and the ability to understand--to taste--the life of Tuscany. If you seek serenity--l'd say: look no further. Villa Del Cardinale is hard to beat.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Mary K.

Beautiful Villa in a Very Convient Location
Fabulous views. We were 4 couples.and there was plenty of room for everyone. Fully equipped kitchen. The.Villa was clean and very well maintained. Mr. Fabio was very helpful in answering our questions before arrival. Our contact person for arrival was Ms. Aurora. We had flight connection issues before our arrival and she stayed in contact and very accommodating. Once at the Villa and she was extremely helpful in explaining where to shop and how to get around. She also arranged a wine tasting at a local winery that was a wonderful experience. Happy to recommend this Villa.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Nicola N.

A little bit of Tuscan magic...
For our family holiday with grownup sons and partners, this villa was just perfect. With all the bedrooms being generously sized and all with en-suites, everyone was happy. The sitting room is very comfortable and the kitchen very well stocked. We loved all the outside areas, especially the pool area and the stunning views over Lucca. We were warmly welcomed and well looked after by Aurora and Maria. This villa is well placed for days out visiting the region and we were equally comfortable spending the day around the pool having stocked up with supplies from the nearby grocery store. A visit to the bakery and gelato shop at the bottom of the track is highly recommended! With a marriage proposal, this holiday was very special and will always be remembered.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Kjell Roland H.

Beautiful house in quiet surroundings with a fantastic view. A true paradise in Tuscany.
We - grandparents, children and grandchildren - 10 persons all together loved the house from first sight. We were warmly welcommed by Aurora and went to our beautifully furnished rooms with very comfortable beds and well equipped bathrooms. Everybody enjoyed the swimmingpool from the babygirl to the mature grandparents.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Gregory V.

Fantastic location, fantastic view, well maintained, lots of amenities, great place to stay
Our family thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Villa I’ll Cardinale. The property was better in real life than in the pictures. The staff was very eager to assist us in any way possible. The house has a great deal of charm and really nice amenities. Very comfortable living areas inside and outside of the house. We would definitely return if we go back to Lucca in the future.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Dan C.

Fantastic house, setting and ownership - a real joy not to be missed
We are a family of 8, including collectively 6 children and significant others in their late 20’s and early 30’s. The house was perfect for this family gathering - 4 large bedrooms, large den, well-stocked kitchen, great pool, and multiple outdoor eating and lounging areas. The views from the house are fantastic; Fabio, the owner, is incredibly responsive and helpful; Maria, the chef, cooked us a delicious homemade meal. Lucca is an easy 5 minute drive away and a charming walled city with an endless supply of restaurants and shops. We had an absolutely terrific time and we highly recommend the villa to anyone who wants a relaxing Tuscan experience.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Aaron H.

Perfect location and host to truly enjoy and experience Tuscany.
We could not have enjoyed our time at the Villa more - the property and house are stunning, the pictures do not do it justice. Fabio is a wonderful host, the welcome and support we had from him and his 'team' was ideal. We are already trying to determine when we can come back. The rooms were so comfortable, the kids played in the pool while we sipped wine under the shade of the olive trees. The location is also ideal, very short drive to Lucca and grocery stores. Would recommend this very highly to anyone.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Debbie C.

Lovely villa
Lovely villa with all the amenities. Beautiful views. Wonderful location. Enjoyed by all from 3years to 70+.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2018

10/10 Excellent

sandra e.

Fabulous
Wonderful owners and their assistants, beautiful spot ideally located in Tuscany for great day trips. Fabio and Mari make you feel like family. They are so thoughtful and caring. I do not have enough words to express their wonderful welcome nor to describe their exceptionally fine home. If you are thinking villa in Tuscany, this has to be your dream spot!!!
Stayed 10 nights in Oct 2017

8/10 Good

Mr./Mrs. Robert C.

Il Cardinale: The views of the Tuscan hills and the town of Lucca are fabulous!
Once you park the car at the top of the hill, one can begin to enjoy the views and the tranquility that Il Cardinale offers. The villa, plus the annex, are comfortably appointed and the pool added to everyone's pleasure. Our family enjoyed the 3+week stay at the villa which was enhanced by the marvelous staff that facilitated our every need. Phyllis/Bob Colin. New York, New York USA
Stayed 24 nights in Aug 2017

10/10 Excellent

Connie Z.

Great villa for 2 families with kids
We spent a week at the villa the last week of June. We were 2 families with a total of 4 adults and 5 kids. The villa was perfectly laid out for us all and the location was perfect for day trips to explore Tuscany. Maria cooked a delicious meal for us all to enjoy. We had a fabulous time and highly recommend staying here!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2017

10/10 Excellent

Tom T.

Liked: Cleanliness
A great weekend in Toscany
We had a great holiday in the lovely Villa Cardinale. We celebrated our 50 years marriage by spending a week in Tuscany with our 2 children and their families, 10 persons in all. Villa Cardinale is a charming and wellequiped House with 5 bedrooms and 5 en suite bathrooms. The 6th bedroom is a Walk-trough room with sleeping possibilities. 1 bed- and bathroom is in an Annex, which our teenager grandchild loved. The pool area is fantastic, Also for children. Also the outdoor eating place was great and we used it every day. We Will mention, that there are Many steps in the House, and that our 3 cars fully filled the parking place near the House. However, there is an Extra parking possibility by the lover gate. Finally, there is a god instruktion book in the House with very valuable recommandations om restaurants, shopping etc.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Isolde B., Stuttgart

Liked: Cleanliness
Toll
Wir waren mit 10 Personen (Erwachsene und Teenager) eine Woche in der Villa und haben den Auftenthalt sehr genossen. Alle fünf großen Schlafzimmer haben sehr gute Betten. Auch das Zimmer neben dem Esszimmer hat ein richtiges Doppelbett (kein graues Schlafsofa wie auf den Fotos). Das Zimmer im Nebengebäude ist etwas dunkel, aber ok. Besonders toll fanden wir die verschiedenen Sitzmöglichkeiten rund um Haus und Pool. Die Küche ist gut ausgestattet und groß genug. Danke an Vivian und ihr Team!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Jonas R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Good week in Tuscany
Good house. Excellent service by Beatrice who always was very helpful and available.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022