Waking up to the sound of silence, with the air crisp and the sun glistening over the rolling hills and olive trees, it was time to see what our chef prepared for breakfast. Over conversation with others in our group, we enjoyed an array of fruits, fresh breads, croissants, jams, juices, a variety of meats and cheeses, and, of course, fresh-brewed coffee, and tea. Afterward, we headed out to enjoy the first full day of our vacation.

We decided we would use the day to explore the historic town of Lucca, but first, because we had decided to carpool with a couple of friends from our group, we had the opportunity to see the villas where they were staying. We first stopped to pick up my wife’s friends Kim and Julie, who were staying at Borgo Bernardini. Located just a 10-minute ride from Villa Controni, this property is an enchanting and beautifully restored, historic little hamlet set among a variety of cypress, magnolia, and weeping willow trees, lilied lakes, and fountains. Hidden away in the Lucchese hills, yet just 10 minutes from the walled city of Lucca, this is truly a special place in Tuscany. Kim and Julie, who led us on quite a tour, told us that the villa’s property management group can even organize cooking school for guests; four- and six-day sessions are available.

Some of my favorite areas of Borgo Bernardini included a music room complete with piano and log fireplace, a large kitchen, perfectly equipped for cooking demonstrations; a card and billiard room for fun and relaxation; and a wine library with a private collection of elite Tuscan selections. The property also has a wonderful array of gardens, highlighted by a gorgeous, floodlit salt-water pool, and many places to catch an afternoon nap or just relax and read a book.

Next, we made our way to Villa Lucia Estate, where our friends James and Tina were staying. This property is near the town of Vorno, and, in fact, right next door to Bimbotto, the restaurant we’d visited the previous evening. Surrounded by the gardens that guard off the property for privacy, the estate is made up of three villas, two of which were rented by our friends.

Villa Lucia, the centerpiece of the estate, is a nine-bedroom home. All the bedrooms have central air conditioning and heating, and each is named after some of Italy’s famous artists, such as Raphael, Michelangelo and Bronzino, to reflect its Renaissance architectural history; dating back 500 years, the villa was updated with additions during the 18th century.

One of the highlights of the house is an upstairs entertainment room with a giant plasma-screen television and retro 60s velvet sofas. In the basement is the original kitchen—fully equipped and spacious for cooking demonstrations—and a wine cellar. The villa's exterior features a private tennis court and a beautiful swimming pool surrounded by pool beds for lounging in the sun. With so much space and entertainment available, the rental was perfect for my friend Richard, whose family we like to call the Brady Bunch because he and his wife have three boys and three girls.

Located across the garden from the central villa, Casa Cameron is an elegant six-bedroom villa with wood-beamed ceilings. Property staff kindly agreed to give us a quick tour of this residence because it was not being rented at the time. The first thing I noticed was how painstaking the home’s restoration had been. While the living arrangements have been modernized, the essence of the original architecture remains. The six deluxe bedrooms all have en-suite bathrooms, king-size beds, and a central heating and air-conditioning system.

Outside Casa Cameron, a lemon garden provides an ideal setting for al fresco dining, and a stone-columned pergola creates a haven for relaxing, reading, or simply enjoying a glass of wine. There’s also a refreshing plunge pool.

Completing the Villa Lucia estate, Casa Joshua is a six-bedroom villa where James and Tina were staying. Nestled near the back end of the property and surrounded by gardens, making it the most enchanting and private rental option, the home has an open plan kitchen/dining area and is decorated with glimmering bronze-red silk curtains. There is also a drawing room that has deep comfortable sofas and a fireplace. Outside, a private pool and garden make for a great setting for al fresco dining, as Tina pointed out.

Finally, it was on to Lucca, the ancient city that is enclosed by walls whose broad tops hover over the town’s lovely towers and broad, calm piazzas on one side and park grounds on the other. Although popular with tourists, the city never feels overcrowded. As the walls of this beautiful city lost their military importance, they became used for completely different purposes. For a number of years during the 20th century, they were used for car racing. Today, the walls are used primarily as a pedestrian promenade.

We wanted to experience the wall for ourselves, so we rented bicycles and off we went, riding above the city, and then down the wall into the city itself. The streets are quite narrow, and both cars and pedestrians were negotiating the very same streets we were, so we decided to turn to a more relaxing activity: eating. Lucca’s dining experience is among Italy's most compelling—almost certainly the best in Tuscany—and the town is a draw in its own right.

I also have to mention a fantastic wine cellar where we stopped for a mid-afternoon wine tasting. Located in the Piazza del Salvatore, a local spirits shop called Vini Liquori Vanni has a two-century old wine cellar in its basement. There we experienced some of the finest wines of the Tuscan region, along with some delectable cheeses and crackers. But be careful: if you are riding bicycles—as we were—it’s not as easy to navigate after the tasting as it was before!

After spending a wonderful afternoon walking and riding, and eating and drinking in Lucca, we made our way back to the Villa Controni estate, where our chef was preparing a feast fit for a king or queen—a perfect ending to a perfectly wonderful day!

My Bio

Steve Lassman joined Villas of Distinction in January
of 2005, building upon 15 successful years in the travel
industry. He is truly passionate about the leisure travel
business and has been a strong supporter of the travel agency distribution network throughout his career. Steve says the greatest part of his job is the lifelong friendships he has developed over the years with travel agency partners.

When Steve isn’t on an airplane, he can be found watching hockey, listening to his enormous music collection, or playing golf.