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An Old Bishop's House, Now a Charming Holiday Villa for 10/14 Guests in a Mosquito Free Area between Florence and Lucca

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January 2025

Photo gallery for An Old Bishop's House, Now a Charming Holiday Villa for 10/14 Guests in a Mosquito Free Area between Florence and Lucca

Outdoor dining
A heated pool
Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, table tennis
Game room
Interior

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

6 bedrooms5 bathroomsSleeps 143660 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Gym
  • Hot Tub
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Pool
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Pistoia, Tuscany
  • Pistoiese Mountains Astronomical Observatory
    14 min drive
  • Sanctuary of the Madonna of Valdibrana
    18 min drive
  • Collegigliato Piscina Villa Cappugi
    19 min drive
  • Florence (FLR-Peretola)
    52 min drive

Room options

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About the neighborhood

Pistoia

Located in Pistoia, this villa is on a river, within a 15-minute drive of SMI Shelters Museum and Suspension Bridge of San Marcello Pistoiese. .This family-friendly villa is 6.6 mi (10.7 km) from Pistoiese Mountains Astronomical Observatory and 8.2 mi (13.3 km) from The Pond Of The Suspension Bridge.
View more Villas in PistoiaOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Cutigliano - Doganaccia Ski Lift - 19 min drive - 12.1 miles
  • Pistoia Zoo - 20 min drive - 13.0 miles
  • Terme di Montecatini - 30 min drive - 21.7 miles
  • Corno alle Scale - 54 min drive - 29.4 miles
  • Corno alle Scale Ski Resort - 54 min drive - 29.4 miles

Getting around

  • Pracchia Station - 4 min drive
  • Florence Airport, Peretola (FLR) - 52 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Bar Margherita - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Il Signorino - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Pelliccia - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪BarBacco - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Le Pizze di Leo - ‬5 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.

An Old Bishop's House, Now a Charming Holiday Villa for 10/14 Guests in a Mosquito Free Area between Florence and Lucca

'Villa Le Panche' was built in 1718 as a summer retreat for the Bishop of Pistoia. It has been recently refurbished and it is now a very comfortable mansion with wide common areas such as two living rooms, one of which with pool table and sofa bed, a fully equipped kitchen, large indoor and outdoor dining areas and a wellness room with a 4 place sauna and a 7 place hydro massage.
The villa can accommodate up to 14 guests in 5 double bedrooms ensuite, a twin bedroom with bunk beds and a supplementary king size sofa bed in the mansard lounge near the pool table.
Outside the Villa, our guests can enjoy the heated swimming pool, relax in a 2000sq.m private garden with apple and maple trees and walk along the shady banks of the Reno River.
'Villa Le Panche' is in fact located in a mosquito-free lush valley, at a distance of just 15 minutes from downtown Pistoia and 40 minutes by car from Florence and Lucca. Our area is also close to Abetone, a famous Tuscan winter resort with some 80 km of ski slopes.
For those who are interested in visiting Tuscany's art cities or the beaches of Versilia, Pistoia stands in a central position and is very well connected via highway and railway with all potential destinations.
Make yourself comfortable in this villa, which features a fireplace and a private pool. There's a private 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. The bathroom with a shower/tub combination features a jetted bathtub and a bidet.
Don't miss out on the many recreational opportunities, including a spa tub, a sauna, and a fitness center. Additional amenities at this villa include babysitting and barbecue grills.
Guests will find features like internet access, onsite parking, and a car charging station.

Property manager

Mr. Davide Ferrari

Languages

English, French, Italian, Spanish

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Ski

  • Cross-country skiing nearby

Pool/Spa

  • Heated pool
  • Massage
  • Private pool
  • Sauna
  • 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
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Chef service
  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 6 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 4.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Bidet
  • Hair dryer
  • Jetted bathtub
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

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

Entertainment

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

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Fenced yard
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundromat nearby
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • 2 pets total
  • Food and water bowls

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Designated smoking areas
  • Note from host: Smoking is permitted in all OUTDOOR areas

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Meal delivery service

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In the mountains
  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo
  • Near an outlet shopping mall
  • Near the bay
  • On a river

Things to do

  • Bicycles
  • Billiards/pool table
  • Gym
  • Heated pool
  • Table tennis
  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Ice skating nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Spelunking nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Bicycles
  • Electric car charging station
  • Garden
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Soundproofing
  • Unit size: 3,660 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:30 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:30 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 allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
2 total pets
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Food and water bowls are available

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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 12
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 and a deadbolt lock
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 IT047014B44FDM9XDR, 047014CAV0003

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

An Old Bishop's House, Now a Charming Holiday Villa for 10/14 Guests in a Mosquito Free Area between Florence and Lucca Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 60 out of 70 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 70 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 70 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 70 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 70 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

George E., Williamsburg VA

Liked: Cleanliness
Mountain Retreat
A comfortable house with all the amenities. Excellent hosts (Davide and his father) who are always available, helpful, and very knowledgeable. Locals prepared dinner two nights - excellent. Mid-stay cleaning was thorough. And the house cat provided warm welcomes every morning. The 30-minute drive from Pistoia is exciting. A very winding, curvy assent. At night, one needs to be very careful. There are few good restaurants nearby which means preparing evening meals at home or traveling the mountain at night to/from Pistoia. Weather limited our use of the expansive pool -- but the grounds are quite nice and well cared for. Had a great time. Highly recommend this rural location.
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paul C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic Tuscan Mountain Villa
Beautiful 300 year old villa in the hills above Pistoia, very well equipped. Clean, very comfortable and cool nights meant a very restful two weeks in the height of summer. Davide and Dad Neto are wonderful hosts and are on hand for all concerns and give great advice on things to do locally The Villa is perfect for large families with a range of ages, and the pool has sunshine all day, so great for sunbathing. There is a sauna, gym and hot tub plus pool and table tennis tables. A wonderful relaxing villa, great hosts and close for dav trips to Pistoia, Firenze, Lucca, Montecatini and Pisa. We even took in the opera at the Puccini Festival
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness
Villa in Tuscany
The villa and grounds were very beautiful. Davide and his dad were very responsive and helpful to us. They could not have been nicer. My only problem was not being able to walk to any of the nearby towns as there were no sidewalks and it was very hilly and lots of traffic. I would not recommend this location for elderly guests. My family loved it and it suited all of their needs.
Stayed 28 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Elena D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great vacation with family at this beautiful villa.
We had a wonderful stay at the villa. Davide and his father Nedo were great hosts and were readily available to help with any small issues and with great information about the area and activities. The villa is very inviting, lovely and spacious and had everything we needed. The location is great with lovely views and close to amenities and the train station in Pistoia. Highly recommend this property. Thank you Davide.
Stayed 14 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Melaney J., Grove City, OH USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Great property!
Our group of ten friends had a wonderful week here. Many thanks to Davide for his insights and information on the area. Highly recommend. Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gareth B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very enjoyable week
My family and friends, 9 adults, had a really great week at the Old Bishop's House. Our host Davide could not have been more welcoming and helpful. From recommending places to visit, eat, drink, shop, down to even arranging for a home meal to be cooked by a chef called Claudia, which was a fantastic evening. All in all we had a really great holiday supported by a brilliant host!!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrew B., Cosby, Leicestershire, England

Liked: Cleanliness
Villa Le Panche - August 2023
The property more than met our expectations. It is comfortable and everything we needed was present. The outside space is spacious, secure and safe for a family with young children. The property is historically interesting and has been renovated to preserve its features whilst providing accommodation meeting our requirements. Davide spent time with us on arrival to guide us round the accommodation explaining important details. He also provided us with considerable local information with recommendations on places to visit. There are many local information leaflets in the property. The local climate avoids the need for air con at night. The family enjoyed the pool which has a powered cover to keep the heat in at night but keeps debris out. Davide and his father regularly visit to maintain the pool. Location is good for exploring the area. Pistoia is about 20 minutes away with excellent train services that we used to visit Florence and Pisa. We also visited Vinci and Lucca and toured the locality by car. The local supermarket in Campo Tezzoro is only a few minutes away and is large enough to provide most provisions backed up with a local butcher in Pontepetri. In conclusion we all very much enjoyed our stay at villa Le Panche.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lynne W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful House and Owners
We had such a great holiday - Davide and his Dad were excellent hosts, so helpful with local knowledge and suggestions which really made a difference [tios on car parks to use/ roads which made a journey more interesting /supermarkets etc] The house itself was perfect for us as a large family group of 7 adults and 4 children - the pool was perfect and the hot tub, gym equipment, sauna, table tennis and kids play area were the icing on the cake! as previously mentioned in reviews the first staircase is original stone and as such needed concentration but me [hip replacement] and my husband [ankle replacement] managed fine. The ensuite bathrooms are excellent and we had no issues with water pressure etc no matter how many people were showering at the same time! The kitchen is well equipped with a fantastic fridge freezer with water and ice "on tap" - hob and oven were great too. The house location up in the hills means that a car is essential - we visited Florence, Lucca, Pistoia zoo, Prato - all lovely visits! I would highly recommend Villa le Planche!
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

saffron b.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fabulous stay!
Our stay at the Bishop's House was incredible! We were a group of nine and the house had lots of space for us to be together and apart. The central location was amazing. We did day trips to Lucca, Pisa and Pistoia; all with in easy reach. However the best feature of the rental was Davide. We have stayed in many VRBO's and have never had a host as exceptional as Davide. He was super helpful and quick to respond. There aren't enough stars for Davide and the Bishop's House!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Adam J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Superb Villa in the hills
We had a fantastic week at this villa. Everything was exactly as in the photos and description. Davide and his father Nedo were great hosts and on hand to fix any minor issues as well as offer advice about things to do in the local area. This villa has everything you need to relax and enjoy time with the family. Great base to visit the main towns of Tuscany, although as it is up in the hills, you need to allow time to drive most places (about 25 mins to Pistoia). There are some small local shops and supermarket a few mins drive away. For those with accessibility needs, please note that there are 3 double bedrooms (plus the bunkbed room) on the first floor. These are up 1 flight of stairs which are the original in the property, so a bit steep and uneven. The older members of our group with more limited mobility managed them fine though - just take care. There are a further 2 double bedrooms on the top floor (plus the pool table with sofa bed in an open area) - stairs are new and much easier from here.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Easter break with the whole family
A fantastic base for our whole family to enjoy the easter break spacious and comfortable for all. Beautiful countryside setting and close to a number of villages with shops bars and restaurants. Davide is a grate host and takes time to explain things in detail to get the most from your stay. Recommended
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ammon P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic week with family at the Villa La Panche
We were a group of 14 (3 siblings with partners and adult/teen children) staying for a week at the Villa La Panche. Not only were the house, pool, and grounds fantastic, but it was the perfect base for us to visit Pisa, Lucca, Florence, and Cinque Terre. Out host Davide made us feel most welcome and was very kind and helpful with tips on where to go, what to see, and how to best to get there. He was very knowledgeable about the local area and some of our favourite activities were things he recommended, like the zip lines at Canyon Park and the winery tour at Tenuta di Capezzana. The house has historic character, but is clean and well maintained with all the modern appliances and conveniences you'd expect. Hot days out sight seeing or by the pool turned into evenings which were refreshingly cool. There is some noise from the nearby road, but it never bothered us and it means the house has very good access. The property is surrounded by tree-covered hills and there are many walking paths if you're interested in getting out and exploring. The nearby villages are small and quaint, but have the necessary facilities and you're not far from even more dramatic mountain scenery. We all had a wonderful time at Villa La Panche and we would not hesitate to come and stay again.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Simon S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very clean and nice house in the hills.
The house is very clean and tidy, and as in the photos. The owners were very informative and offered advice on the local area. They are very close at hand should you need anything and pop in to check everything is ok from time to time. There was a fault with the front door lock that I was told about at check in. We had some problems with it and I really think it should have been fixed properly before we arrived. But other than that the house was great.
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Stuart H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful week in Tuscan villa.
Great place for large families or groups of friends, Davide is a fantastic host very helpful with information about Tuscany & the local area, we all loved the privacy, the pool and the giant hot tub!

10/10 Excellent

Sheri O O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fun and authentic villa! We couldn't have been more pleased! Owner Davide and his father were awes
Great villa, pool and owners! We will have friends for life! They made our stay so perfect and the house, pool, and accommodations were awesome!

10/10 Excellent

Stephen C.

Sensational house
Enjoyed a family Christmas in this wonderful home. Top quality accommodation which easily accommodated the 10 of us. Great location and wonderful grounds. Very safe location for the four children in the party
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

Ken B., Carlsbad, CA USA

Charming, historic place with tons of character
Both Nedo and Davide were extremely warm and welcoming. It was a perfect place for our family’s time in Tuscany. Our four and a half year old grandson loved the play equipment outside, but most of all enjoyed time in the large spa every evening before dinner. The kitchen was well equipped. There were many picturesque villages near by which we got to explore. It was also well situated for spending days in Florence, Pisa, and Lucca. There are great hiking trails across a quaint stream that were also enjoyed. Next time we’ll have to come in the summer to enjoy the beautiful outdoor swimming pool.
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Jocelyn H., Oakland

Impeccable
Our time spent at the villa is one we will all cherish. We had extra people join our group last minute and since the villa was at capacity, Davide and his father graciously accommodated them at their adorable Inn just next door. The villa was extremely well appointed even according to the most discriminating in our bunch. Everything from the bedrooms, the kitchen (which was well tested, believe me), the dining and outdoor spaces, were all top notch. Davide and Nedo were also incredibly knowledgeable and helpful both before and during our stay, directing us to dining, shopping, hiking and hidden gems we never would have known about otherwise. Thank you!! We will be back and will highly recommend to others!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Grace N., San Francisco

Fabulous Villa
We had an absolutely fabulous time at the villa. We were a group of 9 retired individuals (4 couples and 1 single) - this place was perfect for us. It was in a great location to visit the many cities and towns in this area. Davide recommended a butcher/restaurant close by that we enjoyed so much, we had dinner there 3 times. He also recommended a chef that prepared an absolutely delicious dinner for us one night. Davide and his father were very helpful and made our stay even more enjoyable. Definitely recommend since we are hoping to return again.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Rita K.

Spectacular location
We had a lovely family stay here this year. There were 11 of us and the villa met all our needs. Facilities were great and location beautiful. We travelled to Florence by train which as very easy and hassle free. The only thing I would recommend is for a fan in the upstairs bedroom as it did get hot al night time. Thank you fDavide for making our stay memorable.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018

8/10 Good

Lauren S.

Fabulous family holiday
The villa is beautiful with plenty of space for a large family. It was very clean, large bedrooms and a well equipped kitchen. The outdoor space was great, so the 2 children and dog were well entertained. You definitely need a car to get around but there is a village only a 10 minute walk away with a shop with a butcher which had most of the things we needed and did fresh bread/pastries. We didn’t realise the villa was very close to the road but this wasn’t a problem as it is very secure. It is also next to a garage which could be quite noisy sometimes but those were the only downsides. Davide and his father were extremely helpful, very easy to contact and would get in touch quickly - even coming over if there was a problem, which gave us peace of mind. I would strongly recommend the villa for a relaxing family holiday.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Mary G.

Wonderful place. Beautiful Villa. Very comfortable and spacious. Davide and Nedo gracious and helpfu
Would definitely return. Location great for exploring other areas. Beautiful villa. We were 8 adults and 6 children. Hard to say who enjoyed it more
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Lovely Property
We loved our stay in this villa in Tuscany. The property was lovely with lots of history but all the amenities you could want. The grounds were very pretty and the children loved the pool and jacuzzi. I would definitely recommend a stay here.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2018

10/10 Excellent

Wilfried S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Schöner Urlaub in historischer Umgebung
Es war ein sehr schöner Urlaub in dem es uns an nichts gemangelt hat. Das Haus ist gut ausgestattet und sauber. Garten Pool und Fitnessraum Ok. Wir waren rundum zufrieden und können das Haus weiterempfehlen.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dagmar K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Familienferien
Wir waren mit unserer großen Familie vor Ort, 9 Erwachsene, zwei Kleinkinder und drei Hunde (schon das war bei vielen Vermietern ein Hindernis). Davide und sein Vater sind sehr aufmerksame Vermieter mit viel Verständnis und immer da, wenn man sie braucht. Das Haus ist fantastisch, es hat viel Platz und ist toll ausgestattet mit allem, was man braucht. Einziger Wermutstropfen ist die Lage: die nahe Tankstelle hat eine Waschanlage, die oft einen unangenehmen Piepston von sich gibt. Pistoia liegt etwa 20 min entfernt, der kurvenreiche Weg war nicht so angenehm. Wir hatten dennoch eine traumhafte Woche in einem absolut einzigartigem Haus!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023