VILLA LUCIA, MONTEVETTOLINI, TUSCANY

Villa Lucia is a 500 year old farmhouse, surrounded by fifteen acres of olive groves that produces a boutique olive oil, and has a certified organic garden. The outdoor Cooking Class Kitchen (see photo below right) is well equipped with work space for up to twenty. We have three kitchen facilities, two out of doors and one in (see photo below left). In total we have four wood burning ovens, wood grill, full size refrigerator, stove top with six gas burners, two large sinks and access to all of the equipment in all of the kitchens. The indoor preparation kitchen features an OFFCAR professional six burner gas stove with two ovens, a wood burning grill, a large refrigerator/freezer and a smaller backup refrigerator, a professional ice maker, salamander, slicing machine, gelato machine, microwave, Klemer juice master, industrial size panini machine, and a full professional array of cooking implements featuring copper and stainless steel for Italian and other ethnic cuisines.

An all-purpose room backs up to the main outside kitchen and has a library of English language books as well as an office full of over one hundred cookbooks, a baby grand piano, and a fantastic wood burning fireplace that, besides warming the space, can grill up a great meal.

The accommodations in the farmhouse, while decorated in the true Tuscan style of yesterday, have exceptional amenities. All rooms have private bathrooms with showers, air-conditioning, screened windows, telephones, and cable TV with DVD players. Groups of up to twenty can be accommodated - fourteen in the main farmhouse and in the two detached apartments. A magical indoor dining room can easily seat up to twenty four and there is abundant outdoor seating.

We have a computer for guest use and also wireless broadband for guests to use with their personal laptop computes. Also for guest enjoyment is a small above-ground pool, bocce court, croquet, and ping pong. We are in a central location for day trips that allow you to visit the most famous Tuscan attractions. We are located between two international airports, Florence and Pisa, both are less than one hour away. We can make arrangements to meet all transportation needs, and specialize in conducting cooking and food-related tours in the area.

Down the hill about two minutes away is the famous spa town of Montecatini Terme, known for its popular spring waters. It has five spas, gardens, and shopping, including many designer boutiques. There is access to the Autostrada (freeway), as well as trains and buses to Florence, Pisa, Lucca and other well known locations. Within a ten minute drive there is a regulation eighteen-hole golf course, horseback riding, tennis, two Olympic sized swimming pools, and we can easily book various cultural events depending on the season.

If interested, please view Vacation Rental By Owner www.vrbo.com #244481, or -contact us at villalucia@yahoo.com

Happy cooking!
Lucia (Lucy)