Villa Carnicelli
Capannori, Toscana, Italy
8 guests
5 bedrooms
4 bathrooms
- Stylishly Comfortable
- A property designed with great style and with amenities that offer a relaxed stay.
- Estate
- An extensive property, usually in the country, made up of multiple units rented together
- Countryside
- Out of town, in rural or agricultural settings
A Noble Home Brought Back to Life with Contemporary Minimalism
This historical villa on a hillside in Lucca was built in 1700 as a home for the noble Carnicelli family, and was recently purchased, restored and named by its new owners in their honor. It has an imposing, symmetrical facade with a split-level entrance, that wouldn't look out of place in a Wes Anderson movie. Inside, it's an exciting blend of old bones and contemporary lines.
The palette is warm, earthy and light, and furnishings are minimalist. We love the 200-year-old cotto floors, original wooden doors and beams that are juxtaposed with the simple lines of the light fixtures and furnishings, as well as details like the shelves full of amber apothecary jars in the kitchen.
Surrounded by olive groves and other ancient trees, the villa was brought back to life with sustainability at its core. It was restored using materials that are environmentally friendly, sustainable and plastic free. The plastering, both inside and out, is organic, and the heating system and vacuum cleaning system are located inside the home's walls, meaning less dust and cleaner air.
This villa for rent in Tuscany is 450m² in size and can accommodate eight adults in five bedrooms and four bathrooms, with a professional-grade kitchen. (An additional two guests can be added if necessary.)
Additional features
An in-house chef is available to provide lunches and dinners, using simple Tuscan and Italian recipes with a modern, multicultural touch. The focus is on fresh flavors and, to that end, she uses herbs from Villa Carnicelli's own garden to bring dishes to life. She speaks fluent English, German and Italian. There is an additional charge for this service; please inquire for further details.
The property's honesty wine bar is stocked with the best from local wineries, including certified organic and biodynamic bottles, and a small guide to the bottles on offer gives a summary of each vintage.
The entire building is equipped with a high-speed wifi connection by STARLINK, velocity of 300Mbps. The system can be switched off during the night upon request.
Around
Gragnano di Capannori is a small hilltown with about 1,500 inhabitants and two notable attractions: the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, and the Sanctuary of Madonna del Belvedere.
It's about 8 miles from the ancient, medieval city of Lucca, which, with its centuries-old Ducal palaces, churches and fortifications, and Roman amphitheater, has much to explore. It also has amazing cafes, shops and restaurants along with fresh local markets and, if your timing is right, you can check out the monthly antique market, a sprawling cacophony of antique items and curios on the third weekend of the month. The drama of history is everywhere and tightly contained within the ancient, fortified walls. Don't miss Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, the ellipse of medieval houses built around the amphitheater ruins that comprise the central region of the city.
The house is conveniently located for day trips to Florence, Pisa, the Cinque Terre, Portofino, Santa Margherita, Siena, Volterra, San Gimignano, Montalcino, Montepulciano and Pienza and the lesser known but equally beautiful Ligurian seaside villages north of Tuscany.
Location
Gragnano di Capannori, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy. Nearest airport: Pisa International (20 miles).
Best time to visit
This villa is open 20 April to 9 November 2024. In 2025, it will open from 12 April to 8 November.
Photos
Amenities
Here’s what you can expect during your stay:
- Washer
- Dryer
- Kitchen
- Professionally-equipped kitchen with large ILVE gas cooker with 6 gas burners
- Internet
- WiFi
- TV
- Smart TV
- Heating
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Pool
- 5m diameter
Additional Information
Discover more about this property.
- Bedrooms
- 5
- Full Bathrooms
- 4
How long would you like to stay?
Minimum 2 nights
Location
Discover more about where you’ll be staying.
Capannori, Italy
The Guestbook
See what our community is saying about Villa Carnicelli.
Villa Carnicelli is an absolute gem nestled in the heart of Tuscany. This beautiful, old villa has been lovingly restored by the family, and their dedication and passion for preserving its charm are evident in every detail. The large garden is a tranquil oasis, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the serene surroundings. Francesca is an exceptional host who takes care of every possible need with perfect attention to detail. Whether it's reserving a tennis court or arranging the fantastic additional offerings like brunch, dinner, or fresh pasta, Francesca ensures that every aspect of your stay is impeccable. The villa's location is ideal for exploring the best of Tuscany. Florence, Lucca, renowned wineries, and the beach are all easily accessible, making Villa Carnicelli the perfect base for a Tuscan adventure. I cannot recommend Villa Carnicelli highly enough. It offers a unique blend of historic charm, modern comfort, and unparalleled hospitality that makes for an unforgettable stay.
What can I say? The villa, the host, everything was perfection and 10/10. Francesca and her family have truly build an oasis to enjoy Tuscany. Her hospitality was even greater - she Organizer amazing trips for us and personalized every piece of it. I have had many Hotel, Airbnb and other hospitality services all over the world but this was one was certainly in the top 3. Whoever plans a visit to Tuscany and is considering Villa Carnicelli - just go for it and you won’t regret. You might be fast as this level of hospitality will surely spread and it will most likely make bookings in the future mir difficult due to high demand. Thank you for everything Francesca. Tanti saluti, Kimbo, Maylin, Fabi und Reiki
I highly recommend a stay at Villa Carnicelli! As a discerning interior designer, this beautiful Villa did not disappoint. The Villa itself is stunning, the interior is very tastefully decorated and is equipped with everything you might need for your stay. The location is fantastic with incredible views and sunsets from the backyard over the Tuscan hills and it is only 30 mins from the historic town of Lucca and a 45 min drive to the coast. However, the most incredible aspect of the stay was from the family who own the Villa! Francesca could not have been more warm or welcoming, she was very helpful ahead of our stay sending us all sorts of information both on the Villa and the surrounding area. She is a very talented chef and we arrived to a delicious cake that she had baked for us, such a thoughtful welcome. On our second night Francesca and her mother, Margit, made us an incredible 7 course dinner at the Villa- it was hands down one of the best dining experiences I have ever had and their passion around food and the slow cooking movement could be tasted in every bite. Francesca speaks 5 languages and was absolutely charming and so accommodating, we were made to feel like family! Suffice to say Villa Carnicelli is a 10/10 recommendation from me, my only regret is not being able to have stayed longer.
I highly recommend staying at this beautiful home. Our stay at Villa Carnicelli was even better than we expected. The home is thoughtfully and expertly designed, full of spacious and comfortable rooms, an incredible kitchen with high-end appliances and cookware, beautiful outdoor spaces and pool, and amazing views. Our group of 6 adults and 1 child had more than enough room to spread out and relax. I especially appreciated how Francesca and her family set up the home with child safety features and crib because they knew we had our 1.5 year old son with us. Francesca is a responsive and generous host, and she and her mother both welcomed us to their beautiful home. Francesca provided us a book of recommendations and information about the area, and she also promptly answered every question we had whenever I texted her. In addition to being a beautiful property, the home is in a great location, with fantastic restaurants in walking distance and easy access for visiting many lovely towns nearby. We had a great time visiting nearby places like Lucca and Pescia with our son, and some in our group even ventured as far out as Siena. We hope one day to return to this special property!
Villa Carnicelli was a truly exceptional place for our family trip to Tuscany. The beautiful property, with its stunning surroundings, provided a magical week for us. What truly sets Villa Carnicelli apart, is the warmth and hospitality of the host, Francesca. From the moment I booked the villa, Francesca went above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of our stay was perfect. Her attention to detail was remarkable, anticipating our every need. Every aspect of the villa, from the meticulously curated herb garden to the cozy outdoor seating areas, exuded a sense of thoughtful design and attention to detail. It's evident that the Manzetti family has impeccable taste, and we found ourselves taking mental notes to implement similar touches in our own homes. Alberto, (Francesca’s father,) welcomed us with open arms, treating us like cherished family members from the outset. The gesture of Margit, (Francesca’s mother) baking a homemade torte for my daughter's birthday, complete with candles and a wooden number matching her age, was an incredibly touching and thoughtful surprise. It set the tone for what turned out to be a truly unforgettable experience. From arranging private experiences, Francesca's recommendations for dining and excursions were spot-on, guiding us to experiences that perfectly aligned with our preferences. One of the highlights of our stay was the remarkable farm to table dinner hosted by Stefano. The culinary delights served to us were not only delicious but also a testament to the passion and skill of the chef. Additionally, our pasta-making class with Stefano at Non mi pasta oiu was a delightful and educational experience, adding another layer of enjoyment to our time at the villa. In all our travels, we've rarely encountered a home as beautifully designed and impeccably maintained as Villa Carnicelli. It's a true sanctuary, offering tranquility and comfort in equal measure. Our heartfelt gratitude to the Manzetti family for sharing their piece of paradise with us. We will surely return someday soon.
We all had such a wonderful time at Villa Carnicelli! We felt incredibly welcome by Francesca and her family. The villa is stunningly designed which sits on a hill with amazing views of several towns and vineyards. One of my favorite rooms is the spacious living room with a wall full of record players. We and our friends sat there for hours listening to classical music, chatting while drinking wine. We slept comfortably every night. The windows all have screens and there was usually a nice breeze. The bathrooms were also very clean and modern. The kitchen is very functional and has two different kinds of coffee machines(major perk!). The pantry was stocked with everything we needed, ie salt, pepper, olive oil, herbs, etc. Lots of cooking-ware, cutlery and glasses. We always had enough linens and such. And best of all, we had glass bottles filled with lovely fresh water from the local spring! Francesca and her friend cooked for all 9 of us a few nights and every meal was spectacular. We had delicious pastas, meats, appetizers and desserts. The table outside was set-up nicely as well. One can tell a lot of effort and care were put into everything. Francesca was very gracious. She always helped us when we needed, ie with restaurant reservations, things to do in the area, which vineyards to visit, as well as making phone calls to various places. During an emergency when our car tire was punctured, she went to four mechanics hoping to find us the best price for a new tire...literally amazing! Overall, we had such a wonderful time! It was a holiday which we’ll always look back upon with many fond memories. We will definitely come back. We all miss it so much already!