Elegant Tourneforti Spada, built in the 1700's with its surrounding farmhouses, is the epitome of this elegant country house era. Set high in the hills twenty minutes north west of Lucca with breath-taking panoramic views on every side, it was once a hunting lodge belonging to the aristocratic Spada family.

Tourneforti Spada is situated on the Orbicciano estate, which produces some of the finest olive oil in the region and life in the small hamlet of Orbicciano has a fascination all its own. There is a small trattoria just down the road, while all around are other country villages, each with a different patron saint who is feted on a different day of the year with pageants and supper and dancing under the stars and fireworks lighting up the sky behind the next hill.

Elegantly spread out over two floors, Tourneforti Spada is grouped around an imposing central drawing room on the ground floor and is surrounded by an extensive and enchanting well kept garden with terracing on three levels. Stone lions guard the tall villa gates and the gardens are shaded by a centuries old lime tree which is sufficiently magnificent to be famous throughout the region.

On the ground floor, French windows lead out from the drawing room onto a terrace with tables and chairs overlooking a small walled formal garden with a view over the hills of Lucca beyond. Steps lead down to an extensive lawned terrace and the swimming pool rimmed with borders of old roses, irises and hydrangea bushes and pergola area – a superb venue for al fresco dining. Lawns also lead up to the entrance of the villa framed by cypress trees, hibiscus and lemon trees in terracotta vases and the age-old spreading lime tree.

The kitchen is fully equipped and there are five spacious bedrooms all of which have a splendid view. Each has been decorated in an elegant country house style with pastel washed walls, wooden bedsteads, as well as paintings and other antiques belonging to the family.

The enchanting and unspoilt town of Lucca is only twenty minutes away. Here, one can enjoy strolling along the wide avenues along the top of the ancient city walls or in the narrow streets with their ninety nine churches, browsing among the old-fashioned little boutiques, sipping a cappuccino at one of the many bars, tasting the best ice-cream and visiting the richly endowed museums. Surrounding Lucca are the numerous famous historic villas with their magnificent gardens, some of which are open to the public and well worth visiting. There is also the magical town of Pietrasanta where the famous white marble comes from and of course for visitors wishing to go to the beach then there is fashionable Forte di Marmi with its excellent seafood restaurants.

This is an excellent property for discerning guests looking for a truly elegant country house in an idyllic location of Tuscany.