About


Villa Michaela

Is a vast early nineteenth century listed villa set in 50 acres of pine forests and olive groves nestling in the hills in the picturesque village of Vorno  some 6 miles South of Lucca.

The house has been restored and modernised to a very high standard with excellent central heating and air conditioning ,  has 12 double or twin rooms with en suite bath/shower rooms in the main villa and 5 reception rooms with extensive entertaining areas.

There is further accommodation in Casa Una  which sleeps 12 and is next to the main gate of Villa Michaela.   This newly restored farmhouse has 4 double bedrooms  , a  three bedded room with  four foot wide double beds and a single room.  All rooms have en suite bathrooms /shower rooms and 2 of the double rooms which have 6 foot wide beds are on the ground floor which makes them especially suitable for older people .

Dining hall and large kitchen, upstairs sitting  room and a large garden with original  pizza oven.

Total capacity of Villa Michaela and Casa Una  is 36  adults and 4 children / teenagers.

Villa Michaela can be rented on a private exclusive basis without  Casa Una.

If Villa Michaela is rented and the  client does not wish to rent Casa Una, then it can be arranged for it to remain unoccupied for a minimal fee.

DESCRIPTION:

ACCOMMODATION, DESCRIPTION AND MEASUREMENTS

VILLA MICHAELA is a very large, listed, early nineteenth century frescoed villa designed by the famous Lucchese architect Lorenzo Nottolini who was also responsible for the celebrated aqueduct which used to bring the water down from the hills, to the city of Lucca.

Nestling in 50 acres of pine forests, olive groves and pine forests, the villa lies about 8 kilometres to the South of Lucca and has extensive gardens, a floodlit tennis court, a large swimming pool and several different al fresco dining areas.

The main house accommodates 24 people in twelve double bedrooms with 10 en suite bathrooms.

Should there be an overflow of teenagers or children there is also the top floor ‘salone’ which has 4 single beds. These extra 4 people use the bathrooms of Zano or Garfagnana bedrooms or the separate shower room.

Maximum capacity of Villa Michaela 28 (if 4 of them are children or teenagers).

Whilst the house is situated in the picturesque village of Vorno, the surroundings are completely rural and tranquil.  Only five minutes walk away, guests do have the convenience of ‘Il Bimbotto’ the very popular village bar, (famous for its weekend karaoke nights) shop and excellent Tuscan restaurant. http://www.bimbotto.it/home.htm

There are wonderful views of the surrounding hills, forests, olive groves and the Alpe Apuane, sometimes snowcapped in the winter.

In addition to the main villa there is the recently completed CASA UNA, formerly the gatehouse of the villa, which provides 6 more double bedrooms and bathrooms en suite. ( sleeps 12 )

Due to its vast size the villa provides a  perfect location for large family groups celebrating reunions, birthdays, anniversaries and of course weddings in its beautiful consecrated chapel.  It also functions well for corporate meetings, away days, product launches  or  a film and television location.

Should the accommodation for 40 not be sufficient we have a unique relationship with our sister villa only 5 minutes walk away. Between us we can offer 39 double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms as well as vast meeting rooms, a chapel, three swimming pools, two tennis courts and parking in the grounds for at least 30 cars.

Pisa airport (30 mins) which has numerous daily international flights makes Vorno an ideal meeting place for large groups, either for pleasure or for business.  (Please note that Delta Airlines flies directly from New York to Pisa for a large part of the year.)

In addition to these excellent facilities we have a strong management and event organising team.  Weddings in our own beautiful chapel, designed  and built by the famous court architect Lorenzo Nottolini (who used to live at Villa Michaela) are our speciality.

One of Nottolinis s  many other notable  achievements  is the Lucca  aqueduct bringing the  abundant  water  from  the Lucchese hills down to the city .

All the staff are well acquainted with the area and will help guests discover the less well known places – markets, villas, gardens, restaurants, shoe stores, perfect views and even night spots.

Please click on the ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS page .

For those who do not wish to attempt driving in Italy arrangements can be made to drive you around.

A full nanny service can also be arranged if prior advice is given.

Our chefs have a varied repertoire of Tuscan and Mediterranean cuisine and are more than happy for any guest to join them in the preparation of dinner, either as a spectator or hands-on! (www.slowfood.com)

MAIN VILLA

GROUND FLOOR

PUCCINI BEDROOM – PREMIUM ROOM 3 foot wide twin beds or 6 foot wide double bed, full en suite bathroom. Measures 16ft x 11ft 6 or 4.8m x 3.5 m. Bathroom 8ft x 6ft 6 or 2.4m x 2m.
 This room is perfect for elderly people who do not like stairs! Views over the front courtyard.

LARGE HALL
 – DOWNSTAIRS GUEST CLOAKROOM
 – FAMILY DINING ROOM WITH FIREPLACE 16ft x 11ft or 4.8m x 3.5m.

FORMAL DINING ROOM leading on to the camellia and lemon gardens. Measures – 35ft x 18ft or 10.5m x 5.4m. Seats 42 people.

LIBRARY / COMMUNICATIONS ROOM 16ft x 11ft or 4.8m x 3.5m.

TELEVISION ROOM 16ft x 11ft or 4.8m x 3. 5m
. With satellite TV (Sky).

VILLA KITCHEN 16ft x 11ft or 4.8m x 3.5m leading to;

TUSCAN DEMONSTRATION KITCHEN 60ft x 25ft or 18.4m x 7.5m. This was originally the ground floor of the Limonaia where the age-old lemon trees of the villa were stored in the winter.  Now used for cooking demonstrations, breakfast and lunch – it is a very light sunny room, wonderful in winter or summer alike.

LOWER GROUND FLOOR Screening room.

The old traditional Tuscan kitchen has been transformed into a surround sound Dolby stereo cinema.  It also doubles up as a snooker room. Watching Fellini’s Satyricon is very atmospheric in an old Tuscan villa!

MEZZANINE LEVEL – UPPER LIMONAIA

This is part of the main house and is reached from the half landing on the main staircase, although it does also have its own separate entrance from the back lawn if required.

GIRASOLE BEDROOM STANDARD ROOM 3ft wide twin beds with full en suite shower room. Measures 16ft6 x 15ft or 5m x 4.5m, bathroom 10ft x 5ft or 3m x 1.5m. 
Views over the lemon garden with pool beyond.

ADJOINING SITTING AREA with daybed (includes access from back lawn) Measures 13ft x 8ft or 3.9m x 2.4m with exterior door leading to the breakfast area under the wisteria with views of the olive grove.

LIMONAIA BEDROOM – SUPERIOR ROOM 6ft wide double bed, full en-suite bathroom and separate shower. Measures 25ft x 18ft or 6m x 3.9m. Bathroom 10ft6 x 8ft or 3.2m x 2.4m.
 Views over the back lawn and the lemon garden with pool beyond.

FIRST FLOOR

NOTTOLINI BEDROOM – PREMIUM ROOM 6ft wide double bed with full en-suite bathroom. Measures 20ft x 13ft or 6m x 3.9m. Bathroom 11ft6 x 11ft6t or 3.5m x 3.5m.
View over the back lawn. Corridor (15ft5 x 5ft or 4.6m x 1.5m) leading to formal first floor.

DRAWING ROOM with grand piano and fireplace. Measures 35ft x 18ft or 10. 5m x 5.4m Views over the lemon garden from one end and down the Alpe Apuane in the distance from the other.

DANTE BEDROOM – SUPERIOR ROOM Twin room with two 3ft wide single beds or one 6ft wide double bed. Large bathroom with separate shower and Jacuzzi bath. Measures 25ft x 18ft or 7.5m x 5.4m. Bathroom 18 x 14ft or 5.4m x 4.2m
Far ranging views over the pool and hills and Vorno church.

VERDI BEDROOM – PREMIUM ROOM 6ft wide double bed – full shower room. Measures. 15ft x 14ft or 4.5m x 4.2m. Bathroom 8.6ft x 4ft or 2.5m x 1.2m. View over the lemon garden with fountain and olive grove beyond.

CAMELIA BEDROOM – PREMIUM ROOM 6ft wide double bed with full bathroom. Measures 14.6ft x 4.6ft or 4.3m x 4.3m. Bathroom lift x lift or 3.3m x 3.3m
All the rooms on the first floor or “piano nobile” have frescoed ceilings. View over the camellia garden and down the valley.

TOP FLOOR

AZZURRA BEDROOM SUPERIOR ROOM 6ft wide double bed with full bathroom and large separate shower. Measures 25ft x 17ft or 7.5m x 5.1m. Bathroom 11ft x 11ft or 3.3m x 3.3m
. View down the valley.

NAPOLEONE BEDROOM – STANDARD ROOM Two three foot wide single beds. This bedroom is the only room in the house which does not have an en suite bathroom but it does have a full shower room on the lower landing which is the exclusive use of Napoleone. Bedroom measures 16ft x 5ft or 4.8m x 4.5m. Shower room 8.6ft x 4ft or 2.5m x 1.2m. View over the lemon garden and palm tress to olive grove beyond.

ZANO BEDROOM – STANDARD ROOM 6 foot wide double bed and full bathroom. Measures 16ft x 15ft or 4.8m x 4.5m Bathroom 5ft6 x 8ft6 or 1.6m x 2.5m
 View down the valley.

GARFAGNANA BEDROOM – STANDARD ROOM 6ft wide double bed and full bathroom. Measures 16ft x 15ft or 4.8m x 4.5m. Bathroom 1.6 m x 2.5m. 
Views over the pool and hills.

FIORI BEDROOM – STANDARD ROOM TWIN BEDS room measures 4.8m X 4.5m. Shares landing shower room with Napoleone .

ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

The owners and managers of Villa Michaela hope to share with you the beauty and history of Tuscany and especially the Lucchesia. Walk in the time aged village of Vorno down quaint little paths overlooking verdant vegetable gardens and crystal streams   ..

Gaze toward gracious faded villas looking down on the city of Lucca and its famous towers. Dine al fresco by the pool under the mulberry trees or under a canopy of wisteria overlooking the olive groves, or indoors in the ornate frescoed dining room where the table seats 36. Exhaust yourself on the floodlit tennis court, mountain biking up the hill, or more leisurely walking through the olive groves stopping to drink from the famous mountain springs. Dip into the Villa Michaela “Recommended Italian Reading List” and feel the Tuscany of Byron, Shelley, Heine and Ruskin. Cool off in our vast limpid pool or treat yourself to a trip back into the civilization of the Renaissance.  Visit  the famous Lucchese villas – Villa Torrigiani with its famous ‘Le Notre’ Garden and Rococo architecture , Villa   Mansi  and Villa Reale  and of course Palazzo Pfanner within the walls of Lucca with its costume museum and  architectural lemon garden . Stroll down  off road from  the villa  along the Vorno river to the magnificent   Lo Scompiglio   restaurant with far reaching views over  vineyards and an organic vegetable gardens towards the Alpe Apuane ( Apuan Alps ) . Play some bridge , backgammon , chess  or Mahjong ( new  villa craze  !!) And of course old favourites like Monopoly and  Boggle for the yonger generation………….!!!  For musicians there are  2 grand pianos – one in the chapel with its wondergful acoustics and one in the first floor drawing room.

Spend the night relaxing with your friends or family, whether enjoying a long moonlit dinner, playing pool in the billiard room or even just unwinding with a classic Italian film in the villa’s cinema. For those with more adventure and energy in their hearts the villa is within striking distance of the beautiful Cinque Terre (a  stunning walk with  panoramic views, fresh fish for lunch and the inevitable swim), the Carrara marble quarries ( see where the world’s most famous marble came from, and the origin of Michalangelo’s ‘David’) and of course wine tasting in Lucca at the Enoteca Vani with its vast subterranean wine cellar running under the walled city itself.

Bicycle the famous walls of Lucca on a rented city bike – this fully fortified city has walls of 2.5 miles circumference – the views are heart stopping ;for the more ambitious bikers  join Isabelle, the villa massage therapist and champion cyclist, to take you 25 kms along the banks of the Serchio river ( traffic free !) as well as beautiful landscapes and a great bar/gelateria at the of the river before you turn back ! Isabella Vorwerg www.erholungsmassage.de  e mail  isabelle@erholungsmassage.de Isabelle can also take you on the  Strada del Vino on a Vespa !!!!!!!!   a beautiful meander through the Lucchese hils through vineyards and  olive groves with many tastings along the way !

Destination Matraia ….

To list all you can do here is impossible, needless to say that with the cooking schools (learn how to make fresh italian pear and gorgonzola tortelli), the summer concerts in Lucca (with artists ranging   from Elton John to Pink, B.B. King to James Blunt), the local village dinners in the priest’s garden for the entire village  population, the walks to the top of the hill to watch the sunset over the Lucchese plains (with a chilled bottle of white wine of course!)……………………  you will never find yourself with time on your hands ……

GUIDED TOURS (Professional English speaking guide)

  • Lucca
  • Florence
  • Pisa
  • Siena
  • San Gimignano
  • Carrara
  • Cinque Terra
  • Chianti
  • Garfagnana

 WEDDING PLANNING

  • Consecrated chapel
  • Organising religious ceremonies
  • Help with official paperwork
  • Flowers
  • Hairdressers
  • Photographers and video service
  • Parking
  • Security
  • Stylists
  • All catering
  • All types of music, live or otherwise
  • Marquees
  • Limousines and air conditioned buses
  • Fireworks
  • Soloists and choirs

ECO ADVENTURE – Rent professional MOUNTAIN BIKES either with or without guide – these can be brought to the villa by Alessandro our ECO specialist.

HORSE RIDING – Our ECO specialist will bring your steed to the villa for a mountain ride or meet him down at the coast for a ride on the sand through pine forests followed by a picnic lunch. Outings in 4 x 4 cars to remote places for hiking and picnics including guide.

TENNIS COACHING – With English speaking coach.

CONCERTS – “In House” OPERA NIGHT (Puccini, Verdi, Boccelli and Neapolitan songs). It is also possible to have other musical groups

  • Pop music for dancing
  • Gospel
  • Classic rock
  • Soul
  • Blues
  • Surprise “Singing Chef”

IN HOUSE BEAUTY TREATMENTS – Facials, manicure and pedicure, massage.

GOLF – At Montecatini Terme or Forte dei Marmi, an international championship standard.

FACTORY OUTLETS – Trips to Gucci , Prada etc.

SEE THE BOTTICELLI’S – at the UFFIZI but make sure you ask the staff to order you pre booked tickets so you don’t have to stand in line.

WALK OR BICYCLE – The ramparts of Lucca – one of the world’s 50 most famous walks- these were started in 1100 and finished in 1650 and are 5 kms round this elliptical city.

PICNICS – In the olive grove or further afield – catch a TUSCAN SUNSET.

MUSHROOM AND TRUFFLE HUNTING – At the right time of year.

CHEESE TASTING IN THE GARFAGNANA – Visit to small ORGANIC cheese farms.

RESTAURANTS – The villa has an extensive list and reviews of all kinds of eateries BEACHES at Tirrenia, Forte dei Marmi, Viareggio and Torre del Lago.

BOAT TRIPS – A perfect way to visit the Cinque Terre and Porto Venere and the Blue Grotto.

Visit VINCI and dream of LEONARDO and buy fabulous CERAMICS.

SPAS AND THERMAL TREATMENTS – At Montecatini Terme and Bagni di Lucca – everything from massage to mudbaths! The Spas themselves, largely built between 1890 and 1910, are monuments, if not “altars” to water worship! Beautifully ornate they are well worth a visit and in the afternoons have at least a pianist, if not a full orchestra playing.

CARS! – The celebrated FERRARI museum at Maranello is worth a visit for aficionados.

FLOWER LOVERS – Visit PESCIA devoted to flowers – the FLOWER MARKET is an impressive glass dome which is considered one of the most important modern buildings in Italy.

WINE TASTING AND LECTURE – At a working wine farm or “fattoria”. TASTE some VIRGIN OLIVE OIL – Lucca is world famous for it.

DRIVE NORTH – Park in the Tereglio village carpark and look down the FEGANA VALLEY where HANNIBAL tramped 2,200 years ago.

HISTORICAL CORTEGE – For a different aperitif in the garden of Villa Michaela. Procession of musicians in old Lucchese mediaeval costume with drums and tambourines. See where PINOCCHIO really came from in case you thought it was California!. Go to COLLODI and see the gardens of Villa Garzoni where the author of Pinnochio was a boot boy! The precipitous gardens took 100 years to build and are most impressive.

MARKETS – Visit the most famous and characteristic markets – Pistoia (Wednesday) and Lucca (Wednesday) and Forte dei Marmi (Wednesday).

VISIT PUCCINI’S BIRTHPLACE – Complete with his grand piano in the centre of Lucca.

LUCCA ANTIQUE MARKET – Visit the LUCCA ANTIQUE MARKET – on the third weekend of every month.

MASTER ARTISANS – Guided tour of the MASTER ARTISANS of Lucca (gilders, restorers, etc).

LIBERTY ARCHITECTURE – See the LIBERTY ARCHITECTURE in Lucca, Forte and Livorno.

LANDSCAPE – Many great men of letters, and not only Italians, have spent years writing about the Tuscan landscape and its inimitable colours and light – Michelangelo said “this is Tuscany’s greatest work of art”.

FISHING – in lakes or the River Serchio or sea fishing at Viareggio. See the worlds best yachts being built in Viareggio.

SINGING – Can you sing? Are you shy? If the answers are yes and no or even if you think the answers are yes and no, try the kareoke at the bar in Vorno every Friday and Saturday night in the summer.

CLIMB – The newly restored LEANiNG TOWER OF PISA – must book in advance.

CLASSICAL VILLAS AND GARDENS – Take in some classical VILLAS AND GARDENS in the “COLLI LUCCHESI.

LUCCHESE HILLS – See where the rich silk merchants of Lucca set up house VILLA OLIVA, VILLA GRABAU, VILLA REALE, VILLA MANSI , VILLA TORRIGIANI.

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE – fans visit ELBA for the day – nearby is perhaps the best restaurant in Italy “IL GAMBERO ROSSO” in San Vincenzo.

SKI-ING – in Abetone ( winter only).

HIKING – in national parks, the Garfagnana, the Omdo dei Botri, Monte Rondinaio, San Pellegrino and Pania di Corfino are just a few of the wonderful places to hike – many of them have little huts “rifiugi” for stopping or overnight stays.

HORSE RACING AND TROTTING – at Pisa and Montecatini.

HOT AIR BALLOONING  – from Tassignano airport close to the villa . See the famous green hills of the Lucchesia from the air .

FESTAS AND SAGRE – These are celebrations and feasts which take place in the villages from the end of May to
mid September and are so numerable they are impossible to list. Some of the more important ones are as follows:

  • February Carnevale
  • March Camellia festival
  • Easter Passion processions of all diocese with the cross
  • April Borgo a Mozzano – “La Baldoria”- A vast bonfire to celebrate the end of winter
  • Ascension Day Florence “Festa del Grillo” – grasshoppers in wooden cages
  • Last Sunday in May All over “Cantine Aperte”- every vineyard opens its doors for wine tasting
  • June 8 Camigliano – “Corpus Domini”- streets decorated with petals
  • June 5 “Luminara” – 12 million candles light up the buildings of Pisa – fireworks
  • June 24 “Calcio Storicoe” – a mediaeval football match commemorating a similar match in I 530 in Florence
  • June 28 “Gioco del Ponte” – a “Push of War” on the central bridge preceded by a huge procession
  • July 2h1(1 Siena – The Palio – Italy’s most famous horse race around the Campo – book early
  • July 1 2 Lucca ” Palio di san Paolino – parade and crossbow tournament
  • July / August Opera Festival Barga
  • August 12 Montepulciano “Brario delle Botti” a barrel rolling race with a parade
  • August 15 All over “Festa di Assunzione di Santa Vergine” A principal religious holiday – ranks with Christmas and Easter
  • August 16 Siena – the Palio – second running
  • August Puccini Opera festival – Torre del Lago
  • August 8 Ponte a Serraglio – a tug of war with an elephant in the middle you can take part
  • September l San Marcello Pistoiese- hot air ballooning
  • September 4 Pescia – “Ii Palio di Pescia” – pageant
  • September 13 Lucca – Festa di S. Croce – candlelit -city, parade – fireworks
  • October 3 l Borgo a Mozzano – “La Notte delle Streghe the witch is thrown from the bridge and Fireworks

The above excludes Lucca’s annual outdoor concerts (Summer festival) which in the past have included Joan Baez, Elton John, Lionel Ritchie, Simon and Garfunkel, Pink, Eric Clapton, Leonard Cohen, Moby etc.

There are also the Capannori and Florence Music Festivals which start early in June and the LUCCA JAZZ DONNA from 3 – 9 of MARCH.

Please ask our staff to organize any of the above for you. They will also be fully abreast with all current events, concerts, operas etc for which they can obtain tickets.

HISTORY

Villa Michaela, previously Villa Nottolini, and belonging to the Swarbreck/Rhode family, is situated at the foot of the Zano mountain, only a short distance from the “pieve” of Vorno.

The building has 3 floors and a basement. The original building dales back to the 15-century, but through the years there have been many changes and the actual aspect of the Villa is that of the early 1800’s when the Nottolini family purchased it. The main façade is the one facing north, which has a large door with architrave and stone frames. There is also a similar entrance on the south side of the building where there is the flower garden, a pond, flowerbeds, rose gardens, paths and pergolas.

The estate also includes other buildings such as the Limonaia, the building where the lemon trees were traditional stored each winter, now a beautifully decorated full service kitchen often utilized for cooking school demonstrations, the Stables (Coach House) where our wine cellar and wine tasting room is located, and the “Annunziata Chapel”, now consecrated for Anglican wedding ceremonies, which is of historic and artistic interest .

The chapel dates back to the 13 century. The “Annunziata” has been owned through the years by different families; the Giglis, the Macariuis, the Simibaklis, the Carbolanes, the Lucchesinin and at the beginning of the 18th century it passed onto the hand of the Nottolini family who restored the house, and between 1860 and 1870 rebuilt the chapel to the design of the renowned Lucchese architect Lorenzo Nottolini. The Annunziata was a public chapel where mass held every Sunday and until the 17 century had its own priest. Each year on the 25 of March big feasts were held with luminary processions and food was given to the poor people of Vorno. The chapel has a fine neo-classic facade, with an arch on the upper part of the building portraying floral motives and the Annunciation. You arrive at the chapel by a driveway built in 1910 after the old road of Valle (that used to pass in front of the “Annunziata”) was made private by the Capannori commune.

In the last century, Villa Michaela has been owned by the Basttananis, the Ciurlanis and the Rossis. The current owners have greatly restored the Villa and all its frescoes, transforming it into a modern and luxurious property without spoiling its original beauty.