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The True Paradise In Tuscany - Villa del Cardinale

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Outdoor pool, a heated pool
Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, books
Unclassified image, 3 of 36, button
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Terrace/patio

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

6 bedrooms5 bathroomsSleeps 12350 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Breakfast available
  • Barbecue grill

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

The True Paradise In Tuscany - Villa del Cardinale

Beautiful villa from the 1600 renovated with high level of beauty and comfort. Originally, the villa was built by the famous Cardinal Francesco Bonvisi as his private study and meditation retreat. The property offers a gorgeous view over the Lucca valley and yet is located just 5 minutes' drive from the walls of Lucca and 20 minutes from the airport of Pisa. Firenze (Florence) is only 45 minutes away by car. The estate is surrounded by 16 acres of olive trees and boasts 5 large bedrooms with en-suite bathroom, heated swimming pool, Patio for al fresco dining. One of the bedrooms has a suite with sofa where two young persons can sleep, thus providing accommodation for 12 persons in all. Air conditioning in all rooms. Furthermore, we provide a baby bed and chair.

Our key holder will enthusiastically assist you in organizing an unforgettable stay, with wine tasting experience, or help you find a Tourist guide, or guide you to the most exclusive and exciting shopping. We have two amazingly clever Chefs de Cuisine that you can book for in-house dining or other important culinary experiences.

In the nearest neighborhood there are two hotels that can accommodate larger groups.

Property manager

Fabio Manzetti

Languages

English, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish

Add dates for prices

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Heated pool
  • Hot tub
  • Outdoor pool
  • Private pool

Internet

  • Available in the villa: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Breakfast available for a fee
  • Chef service
  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 6 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 5 private bathrooms
  • Bidet
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

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

Entertainment

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

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundromat nearby
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Printer

Climate control

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Handrails in stairways
  • In-room accessibility
  • Tile flooring in public areas
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair-accessible pool
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (limited availability)
  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In a village
  • Near a hospital

Things to do

  • Golf
  • Heated pool
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Comprehensive food waste policy
  • Comprehensive recycling policy
  • Electric car charging station
  • Garden
  • Unit size: 3,767 square feet

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LIST_ALT

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 24

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
MONETIZATION_ON

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
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 IT046017C2OPW5IKFM

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 USD 5000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

Property is also known as

True Paradise Tuscany Villa Cardinale Lucca
True Paradise Tuscany Cardinale Lucca
True Parase Tuscany Carnale L
The True Paradise In Tuscany - Villa del Cardinale Villa
The True Paradise In Tuscany - Villa del Cardinale Lucca
The True Paradise In Tuscany - Villa del Cardinale Villa Lucca

About the area

Map
Lucca, Toscana

What's nearby

  • Walls of Lucca - 8 min drive - 5.2 km
  • Piazza Napoleone - 10 min drive - 6.3 km
  • Cathedral of St Martin - 11 min drive - 7.1 km
  • Guinigi Tower - 12 min drive - 7.5 km
  • Piazza dell'Anfiteatro - 12 min drive - 7.8 km

Getting around

  • Lucca Station - 9 min drive
  • Pisa (PSA-Galileo Galilei) - 24 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Pizzeria Zio Jo - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Hotel Villa Cheli - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Pasticceria Bar Sottopoggio - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Pizzeria Irma - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Cucina dello Scompiglio - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does The True Paradise In Tuscany - Villa del Cardinale have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.

Is The True Paradise In Tuscany - Villa del Cardinale pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The True Paradise In Tuscany - Villa del Cardinale?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The True Paradise In Tuscany - Villa del Cardinale?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The True Paradise In Tuscany - Villa del Cardinale located?

This family-friendly Lucca villa is located in a rural location, within 3 mi (5 km) of International Academy of Italian Cuisine and Lucca Polo Fiere. Puccini Museum and Lucca Botanical Gardens are also within 6 miles (10 km).

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The True Paradise In Tuscany - Villa del Cardinale Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 41 out of 45 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 45 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 45 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 45 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 45 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Inese M.

Beautiful Tuscany
What a beautiful spot! The perfect house for our family celebrating a special anniversary. The bedrooms allowed each couple to have privacy. The views were stunning. The photos on the website don’t do it justice! We took full advantage of the personal chefs recommended by the house information book. Wow! Best meals ever! The only thing is, you really do need to have a car. Lucca is almost an hour walk on a busy road with limited sidewalks,and the walk back is obviously uphill all the way. Definitely recommend this villa for a group stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Philip J.

Good villa, good location
Comfortable and well equipped though you have to hunt for things sometimes. Excellent pool, beds and living areas. Mosquito spray essential in August!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Connie Z.

Great villa for 2 families with kids
We spent a week at the villa the last week of June. We were 2 families with a total of 4 adults and 5 kids. The villa was perfectly laid out for us all and the location was perfect for day trips to explore Tuscany. Maria cooked a delicious meal for us all to enjoy. We had a fabulous time and highly recommend staying here!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2017

10/10 Excellent

Steve F.

Paradise in Tuscany
The property exceeded expectations! The villa is charming, a wonderful combination of old and new. It has been renovated to excellent modern standards with respect to appliances and facilities, without losing its old-world charm. There is ample and excellent help. The owner Fabio was completely accessible by phone or email, and was always helpful. The proximity to Lucca, a charming walled city, and to the rest of Tuscany, made wider visiting east. We had a wonderful stay.
Stayed 28 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Beth W., San Antonio

Fabulous villa with views
It was everything I was looking for my 50th birthday celebration. Plenty of room for entertaining guests. A true Tuscan experience. Lucca is minutes away and a true delight. Enjoyed getting to know the community. The property manager and staff were incredibly helpful in getting to know the area and the owner was a fabulous host. We enjoyed the locally produced olive oil tremendously. We will come again!
Stayed 29 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Aaron H.

Perfect location and host to truly enjoy and experience Tuscany.
We could not have enjoyed our time at the Villa more - the property and house are stunning, the pictures do not do it justice. Fabio is a wonderful host, the welcome and support we had from him and his 'team' was ideal. We are already trying to determine when we can come back. The rooms were so comfortable, the kids played in the pool while we sipped wine under the shade of the olive trees. The location is also ideal, very short drive to Lucca and grocery stores. Would recommend this very highly to anyone.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Daniel E.

Wonderful Stay
Visited Villa della Cardinale with my family and another; 10 people total. The Villa had more than enough space as our kids were able to room together easily. Beautiful property with a stunning view over Lucca. Fabio and Beatrice were both very responsive and easy to work with. Our families had an amazing time and loved the ease of seeing much of Tuscany from our home base. The Villa is very well positioned for day trips. Air conditioning and the swimming pool were great on the warmer June days. La Pearla, a coffee shop and pasticceria at the bottom of the street is a hidden gem as well!
Stayed 42 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Steven E.

Great View and En-suites for Bedrooms
A well maintained property on a lovely hill. The rooms were large, with each having a bathroom. The area around the pool was great. Wished the sun was able to heat the pool enough to enjoy, but it was too cold. The two items that were slight negatives, but we aware about when booking, was the stairs and the road up to the property. The stairs were steep and the bottom two steps were sloped forward and required caution when coming down. The road to the property had some very large pot holes. But overall, a beautiful place and very relaxing site.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dan C.

Fantastic house, setting and ownership - a real joy not to be missed
We are a family of 8, including collectively 6 children and significant others in their late 20’s and early 30’s. The house was perfect for this family gathering - 4 large bedrooms, large den, well-stocked kitchen, great pool, and multiple outdoor eating and lounging areas. The views from the house are fantastic; Fabio, the owner, is incredibly responsive and helpful; Maria, the chef, cooked us a delicious homemade meal. Lucca is an easy 5 minute drive away and a charming walled city with an endless supply of restaurants and shops. We had an absolutely terrific time and we highly recommend the villa to anyone who wants a relaxing Tuscan experience.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kim R.

Our dream home for a week!
What a beautiful place to make lifetime memories! Villa II Cardinale is absolutely stunning: beautifully & comfortably furnished! I receive so many ooohs and ahhhs when I share photos of this historic home with friends! Every detail is so well thought out. The home, its gardens and pool are immaculately maintained. Views from every window and outside sitting area are spectacular - quintessential Italy! The owners' hospitality is extremely generous: we were greeted by the owners' representative with a great overview of the home, sparkling wine and olive oil from their olive trees and were given hugs and cookies from a local bakery when we left! She checked in on us throughout the week and gave great recommendations for places to visit and restaurants to dine. The home is in a great central location for making day trips. Lucca, now our favorite Italian city, is perfect for tourists yet isn't touristy or crowded. It's just a short drive from the villa. We also made excursions to unforgettable towns and cities including Barga, Bolgheri, Carrera, Livorgno, Volterra, Pisa, Florence, Cinque, Terre and more. The owners were extremely dedicated in making sure that everything was perfect for our stay - so delightful that we've encouraged them to come visit us if they come to Virginia! We highly recommend staying at Villa II Cardinale for the perfect Italian vacation!

10/10 Excellent

WILLIAM Y., Columbia, South Carolina, USA

Paradise overlooking Lucca
Three married couples spent 7 nights at this wonderful home. It was so tranquil and quiet we all fell in love with the location. The sunrises in the morning, the singing birds, the cool breezes, the great gardens, the comforts of home away, - all made this villa a place that we hope to return to someday. There are three floors in the Villa. The kitchen, separate dining, and a small office/bedroom with full bath on the ground floor. The living room and a master bedroom with large bathroom is on the next floor. The top floor has a large bedroom with small bathroom (shower only). The other bedroom on top floor is smaller, but has a sitting room, and larger bath with tub. There is a separate building (the annex) with a 5th bedroom and large bathroom. The clothes washer and dryer are also in the annex. The building location is high on a hill, which resulted in pleasant breezes most days. We could see the buildings in old Lucca as well as the aqueduct that runs across the valley. This Villa is the highest home on the hill – so there is absolute privacy. We never ate in the dining room as the weather was so nice – there is a table for 10 located outside under a freestanding roof. Additionally there was three other areas outside to sit (patio outside kitchen; table for 6 under olive trees; Cabana next to pool) which meant there was always somewhere in shade or sun to relax. Maria came one night to serve a wonderful home cook Tuscan style meal. The left overs were great the next day as well. The beds were very comfortable, water pressure is good, and everything in kitchen was functional and well stocked with every dish you need. Given it is an old building – there are quirky things such as un-level floors, a low kitchen doorway (watch your head), and minimal electrical outlets, it is very well done from the perspective of plumbing and kitchen appliances. We had rented a large Fiat Talento van (9 passenger). Driving up the road to the Villa meant brushing up against the olive trees along the road. Also the parking area at the Villa required some back and forth to turnaround the large van – small car would be ok. Can’t imagine not having a vehicle – while close to Lucca – it is not walkable. With Lucca 5 minutes away we frequently went there for meals. We drove to LaSpezia (1 hour) to see Cinque Terre via train. Florence is only an hour away (park at Villa Costanza parking on autostrada and take Tram into town) and Pisa is only 20 minutes
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Tom T.

A great weekend in Toscany
We had a great holiday in the lovely Villa Cardinale. We celebrated our 50 years marriage by spending a week in Tuscany with our 2 children and their families, 10 persons in all. Villa Cardinale is a charming and wellequiped House with 5 bedrooms and 5 en suite bathrooms. The 6th bedroom is a Walk-trough room with sleeping possibilities. 1 bed- and bathroom is in an Annex, which our teenager grandchild loved. The pool area is fantastic, Also for children. Also the outdoor eating place was great and we used it every day. We Will mention, that there are Many steps in the House, and that our 3 cars fully filled the parking place near the House. However, there is an Extra parking possibility by the lover gate. Finally, there is a god instruktion book in the House with very valuable recommandations om restaurants, shopping etc.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Isolde B., Stuttgart

Toll
Wir waren mit 10 Personen (Erwachsene und Teenager) eine Woche in der Villa und haben den Auftenthalt sehr genossen. Alle fünf großen Schlafzimmer haben sehr gute Betten. Auch das Zimmer neben dem Esszimmer hat ein richtiges Doppelbett (kein graues Schlafsofa wie auf den Fotos). Das Zimmer im Nebengebäude ist etwas dunkel, aber ok. Besonders toll fanden wir die verschiedenen Sitzmöglichkeiten rund um Haus und Pool. Die Küche ist gut ausgestattet und groß genug. Danke an Vivian und ihr Team!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Jonas R.

Good week in Tuscany
Good house. Excellent service by Beatrice who always was very helpful and available.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jesper R.

Et skønt hus med prima beliggenhed
Vi var en familie med 6 voksne og 3 børn, og huset passede perfekt til vores ønsker og behov og med en beliggenhed tæt på Lucca, en af Toscanas smukkeste og mest velbevarede byer. Den lokale kontaktperson var yderst hjælpsom og imødekommende. Alt i alt et meget vellykket og mindeværdigt ophold.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

veronique S.

Merveilleuses vacances en famille
Nous avons passé un séjour formidable en famille dans cette magnifique demeure au charme ancien et typique de la Toscane. Le confort est excellent avec des literies de très bonne qualité, la climatisation et une salle de bain dans chaque chambre. Les vues sont à couper le souffle, les différentes terrasses qui entourent la villa et les plantations d’Olivier nous ont plongé dans une nature exceptionnelle. Enfin, les propriétaires et le personnel étaient très à l’écoute et arrangeants. Nous recommandons vivement !
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

caroline s.

Belle semaine en famille
La maison est très confortable pour passer des vacances en groupe, chacun peut y avoir son espace. Le point de vue est magnifique, la maison bien décorée. Béatrice est là pour nous accompagner tout le long du séjour. La maison est proche de Lucques ce qui est sympathique pour les sorties et les courses. Nous avons passé une excellente semaine.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Diane T.

SUPERBES VACANCES EN TOSCANE
La residence est très confortable pour 9 personnes. nous avons particulièrement apprécié la piscine.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tommy B.

Fantastiskt
Uppfyllde våra förväntningar Fantastiskt hus och trädgård med pool
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jürgen B.

Phänomenal
Die Lage der Villa ist wirklich außerordentlich. Absolut ruhig gelegen schaut man ins Tal und die herrliche Landschaft der Toskana. Die Villa hat viel Charme. Von der Villa aus erreicht man in wenigen Minuten Lucca und auch Pisa ist praktisch um die Ecke. Beatrice war immer für uns zur Stelle und hatte immer Antworten auf unsere Fragen ( wo gibt es schöne Strände, welche Sehenswürdigkeiten usw. ). Wir waren begeistert und würden die Villa jederzeit wieder buchen. Jürgen Bartmann
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

DE LA SERRE M.

Très bel environnement !
Nous avons passé un merveilleux séjour. La maison est une ancienne bâtisse. Parfait pour les amoureux de l’ancien. Le cadre est fabuleux. Beatrice est d’une très grande efficacité et d’une super gentillesse ! C’est un véritable plus pour le séjour ! Nous étions 2 familles avec 8 enfants au total. Il nous a manqué un peu de place dans la cuisine (pour ranger nos affaires) et des grands plats.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Julia B.

Beautiful Setting for a family holiday
First of all I would like to thank Beatrice for being absolutely beyond amazing with making sure everything was perfect during our stay. The property is located a mere 10 min drive from Lucca and close to the motorway which is convenient for excursions and day trips to Pisa, Florence, Volterra etc . Lots of space in and outdoors and a lovely pool are a beautiful setting for a tranquil holiday. Thank you very much for a great stay
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Christian S.

wonderful stay near Lucca
We enjoyed one week of holiday in Villa Cardinale. The villa was very clean when we arrived. The pictures on the website give a good view of what to expect, although it is even more beautiful in reality. The view from the hill is spectacular. Beatrice, the lady coordinating the maintenance of the villa, was very helpful and gave us a lot of advice and help with selecting and booking restaurants and places to visit. We had the private diner prepared by Maria twice during the week, this is highly recommended! To summarize: we had a wonderful stay with our family.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Nicola S.

Simply Perfect!
We spent two weeks at Villa Cardinale and had a wonderful time all the way through! The house, the interior, the location but most of all Fabio, Beatrice, Martina and Isabell were fantastic! Questions were always answered promptly and always with a smile! Tuscany is one of the nicest regions in the world but in combination with this property, with all the amenities it offers and the people who care for it and it’s guests a holy place to be! Warm Thanks to all for this too short „escape to heaven“! Nicola & Family & Friends
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

veronique S.

magnifiques vacances dans un magnifique endroit !
Nous avons de nouveau passé un très agréable séjour dans cette belle et grande maison de famille, décorée avec goût et très confortable. La literie est excellente et l’ensemble de la villa invite au bien être. Nous reviendrons !
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2019