Top 10% of guest reviews in this areaTop 10% of guest reviews in this area
6 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 10350 sq m
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free Wi-Fi
Rooms & beds
6 bedrooms (sleeps 10)
Bedroom 1
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 2
1 King Bed
Bedroom 3
1 Single Bed
Bedroom 4
1 King Bed
Bedroom 5
1 Single Bed
Bedroom 6
1 Queen Bed
4 bathrooms
Bathroom 1
Towels provided · Bidet · Toilet · Shower only
Bathroom 2
Towels provided · Bathtub · Bidet · Toilet
Bathroom 3
Towels provided · Bidet · Toilet · Shower only
Bathroom 4
Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Al Bastini - villa with glorious views & pool, 15 mins from Lucca
Al Bastini is a beautiful, peaceful and well-equipped 18th century villa-farmhouse with glorious panoramic views. Set in 7 acres of land with old olives and fruit trees, and surrounded by unspoilt olive groves and forested hills, it forms a perfect haven from which to explore this part of Tuscany. The house is furnished in traditional Tuscan style with local stone, antique cotto floors, high chestnut-beamed ceilings and a wood burner stove. The accommodation sleeps 10 people in 4 double bedrooms, 2 single bedrooms & 4 bathrooms. The extensive facilities include a brand new gourmet kitchen with high end range cooker, 2 fridges and 2 dishwashers; air-conditioning; WiFi broadband; 50” Smart TV & DVD player; a full size billiards table, table tennis; and an excellent grand piano.
Around the house, the landscaped gardens feature a heated and gated 10 x 5m pool, a herb garden, flowerbeds and terraced lawns. There are 3 al fresco eating areas in both sun and shade to choose from - a covered loggia, a stone barbecue and a pool-side pergola - all enjoying the wonderful views. There are ample quality garden chairs, sunbeds and hammocks for relaxation for your family and friends.
Just 15 mins drive from the centre of the famous medieval city of Lucca, Al Bastini is within easy reach of the historic cities of Pisa, Florence and Siena and the coast. You are close to Lucca’s many historic villas and to charming villages dedicated to agriculture and viniculture.
A few minutes from Al Bastini by car are the shops and restaurants of the village of San Macario in Piano. A further 5 minutes away are 3 large supermarkets and in another 5 minutes, you will arrive in Lucca. Both Pisa airport and the beautiful beaches of the Versilian coast can be reached in 30 minutes.
Tuscany (and at further distance, Umbria) are full of wonderful places to visit - the obvious ones being Pisa (30 mins drive), Florence (1 hour by road or 75 minutes by train from Lucca), Siena (1½hours) and San Gimignano (1½ hours).
We can organise excellent chefs to cook wonderful dinners at Al Bastini for you and your guests and we can also provide cookery lessons. Organised sightseeing trips and vineyard tours of the many excellent Colline Lucchesi vineyards and olive mills can also be pre-booked.
For the lovely, cooler months – ideal for sightseeing and walking – Al Bastini has a wood burner and full central heating – and a well-stocked library of books, guidebooks and DVDs. Lucca is fully open all year round and is wonderful “out of season” – including its charming Christmas market season, New Year fireworks, and Easter procession.
Our super responsive and very knowledgeable English-speaking house manager will be happy to support you during your stay with anything you may need..
The house is reached by a fully tarmacked private road, kept in good condition. The road climbs a hill and has a sharp bend (that can be seen in the photos for reference) that may be preferable to do the first time in daylight to see the layout.
Al Bastini now benefits from a new open-plan gourmet kitchen, a new outdoor wood-fired pizza oven and grill and and 4 new bathrooms. The new saltwater swimming pool and sunbathing area was also recently refurbished.
Do not miss the opportunity to sample the sheer beauty and tranquillity of Al Bastini.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
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On booking it is understood that you have read and agree to the full rental agreement clauses 1-15.
Pool open May-September. Pool heating un-necessary in July + August. Recommended in May, June + September. Price 400 Euros per week.
Air-con charged by metred usage and paid online at the end of your stay. Typical charges 250 Euros plus, depending on needs.
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number IT046017C2M4K3XEBB
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 the information in the booking confirmation
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Lucca
Located in Lucca, this villa is in a rural area and by the sea. Puccini Museum and Real Collegio are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Leaning Tower and Walls of Lucca. Travelling with kids? Consider Lucca Botanical Gardens and Piccolo Mondo. Discover the area's water adventures with windsurfing and power boating nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and mountain biking.
Church of San Michele in Foro - 18 min drive - 12.0 km
Getting around
San Giuliano Terme Ripafratta Station - 15 min drive
Pisa (PSA-Galileo Galilei) - 44 min drive
Restaurants
Autogrill Monte Quiesa - 19 min drive
Le Terme - 17 min drive
L'Alpino - 12 min drive
Osaka Asian Fusion Restaurant - 11 min drive
Il Ciancino - 8 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Does Al Bastini - villa with glorious views & pool, 15 mins from Lucca have a pool?
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.
How much does it cost to stay at Al Bastini - villa with glorious views & pool, 15 mins from Lucca?
As of 2 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Al Bastini - villa with glorious views & pool, 15 mins from Lucca on 21 November 2026 start from NZ$1,485, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is Al Bastini - villa with glorious views & pool, 15 mins from Lucca pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Al Bastini - villa with glorious views & pool, 15 mins from Lucca?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Al Bastini - villa with glorious views & pool, 15 mins from Lucca?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Al Bastini - villa with glorious views & pool, 15 mins from Lucca?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Al Bastini - villa with glorious views & pool, 15 mins from Lucca located?
Located by the sea, this family-friendly villa is within 6 mi (10 km) of Walls of Lucca, Porta Sant'Anna, and Lucca Courthouse. Puccini Museum and Lucca Botanical Gardens are also within 9 miles (15 km).
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
This was a return trip to Al Bastini for me.The setting, the accommodation and the pool are all superb. While only 15 minutes from the town of Lucca, the house is in a very peaceful location with glorious views across the Tuscan hills.
A wonderfully relaxing peaceful escape yet only a short drive into the historic walled city of Lucca, with it’s very good restaurants and abundance of things to see. We had amazing weather (29) for September so made excellent use of the beautiful pool. Tanya (villa manager) was incredibly helpful and organised a private chef (Fabrizio excellent) for an evening of absolutely delicious authentic Tuscan fare and our taxi on another evening into Lucca. Al Bastini was everything we’d hoped for and more!! Hoping to return one day!
Al Bastini is a peaceful idyll on the outskirts of Lucca. Very much a home from home with everything you might need readily available to make your stay all the more enjoyable. We had the most amazing time and would definitely return. Thank you so much.
This property is absolutely stunning! My family of 8 stayed for a week and enjoyed everything about this home. The main floor is set up perfectly for spending time together. We used the huge, well equipped kitchen to cook many of our own meals but we also enjoyed having 2 different chefs come to cook for us as well. One night we made pizzas in the outdoor pizza oven using fresh herbs from the garden. The views from the outdoor dining area were incredible!One of our favorite things about this property was the pool. It was the perfect temperature, well maintained and surrounded by beautiful landscaping. The gardener is amazing!The location of this property is terrific. We rented cars and could easily drive to grocery stores, restaurants, wineries and to explore the nearby city of Lucca. We also drove to the train station to take a train to Cinque Terre for the day.The staff was friendly, professional and made sure we had everything we needed. Check in was easy, taxis were arranged when needed, rental cars were delivered to the villa and communication was excellent. The handbook that was provided answered every question we had and was full of great suggestions about places to visit and things to do.All 8 of us loved this property. It had something for everyone and was so spacious. One week was not enough. I hope we can return someday!
Beautifully appointed spacious and prestigious villa with spectacular views and wonderful facilities. Tastefully decorated throughout, perfect for families/groups wanting quiet getaway destination with excellent, high quality facilities (swimming pool, a/c throughout, billiards table, grand piano, table tennis, multiple large fridges and advanced, well designed kitchen). Lots of outside space and shaded areas. Good communication with manager, who was responsive and keen for us to enjoy our stay.
Family and friends gathered at Al Bastini to explore the Lucca region. The Villa was wonderfully appointed and very comfortable. The pool was a big hit with the grandkids and the outdoor wood fired BBQ was used multiple times throughout the week. The owners have a great collection of books that cover Tuscany and Italian cooking. I wish I could have stayed a month so I could sit and read and gaze over the spectacular views. The local hosts were very helpful and accessible. Highly recommended. A very comfortable Tuscan villa with a great kitchen and multiple outdoor areas to sit and relax and enjoy a moment of quiet with friends and family.
The house is charming, comfortable, with everything you could want for a perfect stay. The outside area is beautiful with a great pool and beautiful views. Our family of 10—3 generations—had plenty of space. The owner was welcoming and helpful sending lots of information about the Lucca area before our stay. Easy day trips from this location. The time went very quickly and we all had such a good time we were sorry we didn’t book a second week. You won’t be disappointed, the house is even better than it looks on HomeAway.
Lee C.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 19 March 2020
Thank you very much for your kind review, you are very welcome,
A lovely, lovely house with so much space and amenities. Tremendous views particularly in the evening as the sun sets.
We loved eating in the Loggia after early evening drinks outside with some late night snooker and swimming.
It's very quiet for sleeping at nights and the kitchen is both beautiful and well thought through including 2 dishwashers!
It's definitely worth making use of the local chefs.
We were surprised how quick it was from Pisa airport and Lucca has a lot to offer with the walk around the walls a must and some fabulous restaurants. Pisa and Florence aren't too far for day visits.
All in all a superb place to stay. It must be best in class.
Our first trip to Tuscany and what a place to stay! The villa and location are outstanding in every sense. The view from the property is stunning: a classic Italian scene; but it is the quietness of the wooded valley that makes it a very special place. The pool is another striking feature- it is large and set in a beautiful position within the garden. The villa itself is stylish and comfortable. The newly refurbished kitchen is outstanding- with every appliance/gadget on hand for foodies wanting to cook for themselves or for visiting chefs. We had amazing meals cooked for us by Morena and Fabrizio- both highly recommended. Finally, the property's location close to the fascinating historic town of Lucca and only half an hour from the coast makes this villa a not-to-be missed destination!
Not much to add to the other great reviews!
Place and location is amazing so long as you don’t mind a hilly curvy drive - and I happen to.
My one qualm, and it did make a significant difference during our 2 week stay, is the mattress quality. 2-3 of the upstairs mattresses are decent, however the downstairs beds have mattresses to be ashamed of. You can literally feel individual springs through them causing pressure points uncomfortable sleep throughout the night.
Alan S.
Stayed 13 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 15 September 2022
Thank you for taking the time to review Al Bastini.
We are truly sorry about the mattresses as they were scheduled to be replaced but delayed. They have now been replaced.
Located in tranquil woodland surroundings, this is an ideal destination for your holiday.
Lucca is just a short drive away, offering numerous excellent dining options and plenty of attractions.
Exploring the ancient city walls is a must-do activity, either walking or hiring a bicycle!
Lucca, being the birthplace of Puccini, hosts various opera festivals, making it a paradise for music enthusiasts.
Be sure to check out the host's recommendations for local village butchers, a restaurant, a winery, and an ice cream parlour.
We enjoyed a delicious cordon bleu meal prepared by the Villa's highly recommended in-house chef, thanks to the well-equipped modern kitchen!
The swimming pool offers a serene space for leisurely exercise and sunbathing, boasting stunning views of the lush valley.
We eagerly anticipate our next visit to this Tuscan paradise!
We spent a week at Al Bastini and we wish we could have stayed longer. The location is perfect and the views are fabulous. The house had a great layout for our family of 4 along with 3 of our adult friends. We took daytrips from the house, but also enjoyed just staying at the house to swim or play ping pong. The kitchen is fantastic and through the management we booked chef Morena to prepare dinner for us one night. Morena and the food were so amazing, that we immediately asked her to come back the next night. Our only regret, was not booking Morena to prepare dinner every night.
We did have an issue with the downstairs bedroom air conditioning not working, but management immediately responded to my message and had a technician out the next day to try and resolve the issue. A big thank you to Alex and Tanya for their help and great communication. I highly recommend staying at Al Bastini, and we definitely plan on going back.
Our Al Bastini stay was a dream. With awe-inspiring views, the villa’s expansive terraces became havens for relaxation. The rooms embody spacious elegance and local charm, blending modern comfort with countryside aesthetics. The newly renovated kitchen (with dual dishwashers and fridges) exceeded expectations for food enthusiasts like us. Outdoor BBQ and pizza oven experiences, courtesy of Chef Fabrizio, were absolute highlights. Thanks to gardener Thomas, the beautifully maintained garden's fresh produce added authenticity to our meals: the kids loved picking ripe tomatoes, fragrant herbs, and small zucchinis. The saltwater pool was the epitome of relaxation: we spent countless hours floating, reading, and enjoying the ambiance.
Al Bastini's standout was great service: Alex, Iris, and Tanya ensured smooth reservations, check-in/out, and prompt assistance. Our stay was flawless.
Seeking beauty, comfort, and tranquility? Al Bastini is your haven.
Triin T.
Stayed 28 nights in Jul 2023
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Sysanne H.
26 August 2016
Absolutely wonderful holiday
We were a family of 8 adults and two small children and Al Bastini was magical for everyone. The house was very comfortable and spacious with stunning views over the hills. Everyone is still talking of evenings on the terrace drinking very inexpensive prosecco with a gentle cooling breeze. Les the owner was always very helpful and nothing was too mch trouble. He even arranged for lasagnes to be in the fridge so we didn't have to worry about food as soon as we arrived. There is a very good Co-op nearby and an excellent butcher in the village.
The pool is excellent, the three years old learnt to swim, and in the evenings there were table tennis tournaments! Lucca is close by and there is a good bus service to Florence. Everyone loved Al Bastini and there are already plans to go back soon. A fantastic memory, thanks Les, your house needs more than 5 stars!
We are a group of 10 friends who travel together often and planned a summer trip to Tuscany to celebrate some milestone birthdays. We spent quite some time researching homes before landing on Al Bastini for its incredible views, convenient location in Lucca, privacy, ample space, but most importantly air conditioning and swimming pool for August! The home and the vacation overall were pretty close to perfect. The house manager was an incredible help to us as we were asking questions about the villa, planning day trips, and renting cars. She emphasized what a perfect location Lucca is, and she was right! We were able to discover some of Lucca and also take day (or partial day) trips to Pisa, the Puccini Festival, Cinque Terre, Chianti, and the beach. Luckily we also had time at the house - to enjoy the pool, cook in the beautiful kitchen, have a private chef cook us dinner and another make pizza for us in the outdoor pizza oven. Our only complaint is that maybe we should have booked two weeks instead of one! Thank you Al Bastini, we hope to see you again soon!
What a fabulous week we had at Al Bastini. It is a beautiful, private and secluded property with incredible views and everything you could wish for in a holiday property.
We have rented many holiday villas before and have often found that the interiors do not match the outside space in terms of style and quality - this is not the case at Al Bastini where everything is beautifully appointed. We felt instantly relaxed here. The villa is perfect for a family holiday with many areas inside and out where you can find your own space but also to come together for family meals. We loved the terraces and loggia and ate all of our meals outside.
Whilst the weather wasn’t as kind to us as we’d hoped we still managed to fit in some time by the wonderful swimming pool which has great loungers and lots of space.
We found it hard to leave the villa and its wonderfully peaceful surroundings in the day but when we did want to explore further afield the journey to Lucca takes only around 15 minutes by car. There is a small village closer to the villa which has a great little restaurant and a lovely ice-cream shop (also sells the most amazing cakes)!) We appreciated all the recommendations that we received prior to our stay for restaurants and places to visit - we tried many and were delighted by them all.
We hope they we can return to Al Bastini in future and thoroughly recommend it for a fabulous holiday in Tuscany.
Les, your home was just spectacular!! Where do I begin....The villa was much more than we had expected, it's stunningly beautiful nestled on a hillside with breathtaking views. Old charm with modern convivences, spotless with ample room for all of us ( 9 people). Our favorite spot was the loggia where we would start each morning with coffee and breakfast then end each night with a glass of wine. The pool was refreshing as the temperatures were in the 90 each day. Our party of nine had such a wonderful stay we will be taking about it for years to come. Great location we visited Florence, Sienna, Cinque Terre, San Gimignano and Lucca. A special thank you to Alex for assisting us with booking a wine tour, a chef and answering all of my many questions, she was a pleasure to work with. Morena our chef for one evening was just superb. We all wished we could have stayed longer. Thank you so much for your hospitality and sharing your home with us as it truly made our trip to Italy that more special.
Ciao,
Cheryl
Cheryl Y.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 19 March 2020
Thank you so much for your review. It was a pleasure. You’re very welcome.
Al Bastini is a spacious well equipped villa, it benefits from a fantastic private pool and several areas to relax and enjoy stunning views of the outstanding beauty of the area. The additional benefits of the games room with billiard table and outdoor table tennis, grand piano in the lobby, added to making the overall stay very memorable. (We are fortunate enough to have talented pianists in our family members.)
Al Bastini is in need of a little refurbishment, however, this said there is everything you could possibly need for your stay.
We used the services of a chef for one of our evenings, organised by Tanya the Property Manager. We selected a four course menu for the 10 of us, the meal was delicious, quality ingredients used for everything, and we can highly recommend this option.
The road up to the villa is a slight challenge, so arrive in daylight if possible as negotiating this in the dark is not to be recommended. The property is ideally set to visit a number of interesting locations but due to COVID at the time of our holiday we spent our time in our family bubble at the villa. Due to this we cannot provide feedback on these local places of interest or the beach.
There are plenty of places to shop in the nearby town of Lucca the largest supermarket being the Co-Op.
The manager and owner of this property could not have been more helpful throughout the entire booking process, keeping in touch via e-mail answering queries etc, so a big thank you to Alex.
We wish Al Bastini well for the future and say thanks for a wonderful family holiday.
Ann P.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 15 September 2022
Thank very much taking the time to review your holiday I am glad you enjoyed yourselves.
The house is commencing a programme of refurbishment in Autumn 2020.
We enjoyed our stay at this spacious villa and would recommend it to others, despite a few negatives. Pros: The location (10 minutes outside Lucca, a great city in and of itself and to use as a base for exploring Tuscany), the grounds are immaculate, and the view is sublime. We loved the pool and the excellent air conditioning in the bedrooms and living room, as the weather was very hot during our stay. The outdoor eating area was great (bring bug spray!), right next to the kitchen and with a wonderful view. Plenty of space for our party of 8 (4 adults, and 4 teens), with 6 bedrooms and 4 full baths. The pool table and ping pong table were very fun. Kitchen is functional and well equipped; we made dinner several nights and had a chef come one night for a pizza making lesson. The communication with the on-site manager and thru VRBo was excellent, making check-in and check-out easy. They provided helpful suggestions for activities and made reservations for us. The cons: the villa was burglarized during our stay, resulting in the loss of a watch and some jewelry. We realize this wasn't the fault of the owners but it was distressing, to say the least. The house manager wasn't particularly sympathetic t start, but she later helpfully went to the police station with us and the owners contacted us directly to demonstrate their concern. Other more minor issues: the 1/2 mile driveway up to the villa is very steep and twisty; it is challenging at night or with a manual car and would be very tough in winter. The bathrooms needed some work (clogged drain in master, for example). But overall we had a very good time at this villa and would recommend it.
Christopher M.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 17 August 2021
Many thanks for the review and we are delighted that you enjoyed your vacation at Al Bastini.
We were sorry to hear about the loss of the watch. It was very unlucky, as there has been no history of a break in at the house over the last 25 years. The house is very secure, particularly if doors, windows and the newly fitted shutters are closed and locked when leaving the house. Nonetheless, we have reviewed and upgraded security for the benefit of our guests.
The private road up to Al Bastini is single track but fully tarmacked (unlike many private roads in Tuscany) and serves one other house. The road was fully renovated in 2020 and is kept in good condition. There is an incline, but guests do not generally report finding it overly steep or difficult; there is a sharp bend, visible on the photos, worth doing for the first time in daylight to see the layout. We are sorry if you found it tricky.
Verified
2/10 Terrible
Andrea B.
23 June 2022
Liked: Check-in, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, communication
Property has BEDBUGS. Flippant response from owner.
We came home with BEDBUGS and the owner was the most concerned with my review. I woke up one morning in this villa with bites all over me. Two others with us had bites too. I went to my dermatologist the very next day after our return. She thought they were bedbug bites. I called an exterminator and scheduled an inspection. I texted the property manager and she said they must be mosquito bites. She said she had an inspection done and there were no bedbugs.
I came to find out that her inspection was done by the cleaning staff! They are not trained professionals and don't know what to look for. They come out at night to feed and then they go into hiding places. Some people show the bite marks and other people show no signs at all AND it can take up to ten days for the bites to even show up on your skin. I was so lucky to have such a severe reaction as that prompted me to go to the doctor and then call the exterminator.
The exterminator came and we did have bedbugs. I had to pack up my entire house contents into black bags, seal them with duct tape and put them in my backyard in the high heat so any bedbugs that may be on my things would die as they do in high temperatures. On the day of treatment, we had to leave the house and after they finished treatment, we had to wait four hours before we could return home. We were having a heatwave in Atlanta and the temperature got up to 99 degrees that day and my cat had to be locked outside in the backyard for the whole day. I now have to wait a couple of weeks for them to come back and do another inspection to make sure they got them all before I bring all of my stuff back inside and unpack.
I told this to the house manager and she said that they disinfect the bedding/mattress. I received an email from the property owner and he reiterated that my bites are from mosquitos. He offered me 500 euros to leave a positive review. Their lack of concern was shocking. I implored him to have the house inspected by an exterminator. I told him my main concern was future guests taking them home with them as we did. He seemed more interested in why the exterminators were going to such lengths and that in the Uk, exterminators don't put you through that. His flippancy was overwhelming. He started each email out with "without prejudice" to protect himself. I have no interest in suing or in his offer of 500 euros. I simply wanted the problem at the villa resolved.
I have no idea if they are taking the proper steps.
Andrea B.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 27 August 2023
We were sad to read your review. You reported no issues with bedbugs during your stay only commenting that the villa was ‘beautiful’ and you had a ‘great time’.
Some considerable time after you returned home to to the US, you contacted us to say that you had an infestation of bed bugs in your own home. You claimed Al Bastini to be the cause.
Far from not taking the matter seriously we immediately sent in a pest control company for a thorough inspection of the property. No evidence of bedbugs was found anywhere. The full report has been shared with VRBO. Nor were there any further reports from guests or owner before or after your stay.
You demanded a full refund of your week’s stay. The owner offered you a partial refund as a gesture of goodwill, which you refused. Instead choosing to post what we believe to be an untrue and unfairly negative review in response.
We invite people to judge Al Bastini on the strength of our reviews in which guests report wonderful holidays and return visits over the years.
We are so grateful to have celebrated our first wedding anniversary at Al Bastini, which offers a quintessential Tuscan experience that exceeded even our wildest expectations.
Nestled into a wooded hillside, Al Bastini has the most breathtaking panoramic views which are both unspoilt and private. We were left speechless when first stepping onto the terrace, and we continued to be wowed each and everyday as the sky changed from blues, to pinks and reds in the evening and then became littered with stars in the night sky. Opening the shutters every morning to this view was a treat in itself.
We opted to spend most of our time lazing by the private pool which provided the perfect relief from the late summer sunshine. There would be ample space for 10 to swim and sunbathe, so for just two of us it was a very special and secluded treat.
Many evenings were spent on the terrace, or loggia, whiling away the hours watching the sunset with a glass of wine in hand. On occasion we made use of the beautifully crafted outdoor barbecue, and pizza oven.
Al Bastini is well located, with local restaurants, gelaterias and supermarkets just a few minutes away by car. The beautiful medieval town of Lucca is 15 minutes away and was a daily destination for lunch, dinner or drinks. We fell in love with the town, with its cobbled streets, medieval walls and eclectic shops.
We were reluctant to leave the serene surroundings of Bastini, but ventured by car to the hilltop town of San Gigmiano, Siena, and the Tuscan capital, Florence, by train from Lucca. All are well worth a visit, if you can drag yourself away from the house and pool! Bastini provides the perfect base for exploring.
To complete our experience we enjoyed privately cooked dinners from two of the chefs available to hire via the property managers. Morena and Fabrizio treated us to the most impeccable service and exquisite cuisine, and to our favourite, tiramisu!
On the rare occasion the weather was inclement, the indoor facilities of the house were more than sufficient entertainment. Whether watching the vast array of satellite TV channels on the comfy sofas in the living room or playing snooker/pool with a late night aperitif, we were not left wanting.
Italian’s have a phrase, ‘la dolce vita’ which loosely translates to ‘the good life’ and, after the past two weeks stay at Bastini, we can fully appreciate and understand it’s meaning.
Alla Prossima!
We loved our stay at Al Bastini. The views are stunning and the pool is the perfect place to relax on a hot day. Rooms were comfortable and the snooker table was great fun! It is only a short drive to the attractive historic town of Lucca and in the heart of the Tuscan wine region so plenty to do when we wanted to leave the comfort of Al Bastini. A wonderful trip that we hope to repeat in the future!
Nicholas W.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
About the host
Hosted by Alex Lester
Languages:
English, French, German, Italian
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests