Villa Casa Minore is a luxuriously appointed late 18th-century olive oil mill set in extensive walled gardens within the five-hundred acre estate of an important 16th-century villa: panoramic views over the surrounding countryside to the olive groves and majestic surrounding hills and, in the distance, Lucca and the highest of the white Carrara marble mountains

The property is located off a quiet country lane: high wrought-iron gates open onto a long driveway flanked by lemon trees in giant Tuscan terracotta pots, which leads past lawn and oleander bushes to extensive parking; a few steps takes one up to the garden level and entry to the villa.

Entry hall with gorgeous beamed ceiling and a brick staircase leading to the first floor; to the left off the hall, large living room with generous seating area in front of an impressive open stone fireplace; to the right of the hall, beautiful, fully equipped Tuscan kitchen (350sf) with very lovely, arched dining area for eight.

On the far side of the living room, door to a second hallway with a cloakroom and pale blue and rose-coloured brick stairway up to the master bedroom comprising double bedroom and seating area with cream bed and ochre walls, large walk-in shower bathroom, and private terrace.

First floor: large central hall with small office with TV-style gate opener, computer, printer and fax; en-suite cream and yellow double bedroom with en-suite shower bathroom and Lucca views; green and ochre double bedroom with garden views and blue and yellow double bedroom with Lucca views; independent shower bathroom.

All bedrooms are good-sized with queen-size beds: beautiful state-of-the-art marble bathrooms with glassed-in walk-in showers, white, retro-style porcelain vanities, WC and bidet, lovely tiles, cotta floors, and exposed beams.

The décor is the epitome of contemporary Italian good taste with old-style terracotta floors, hand stuccoed walls in various pastel colours, decorated ceilings and Tuscan ceilings with the beautiful exposed chestnut beams and the tiles as well as a host of decorative refinements.

The furnishings are a tasteful blend of the finest quality modern pieces, original antique pieces and high-quality, reproduction furniture; fine rugs and curtains, gilded mirrors and wall lights, giant vases, chandeliers; elegant lamps, reproduction old masters, antique etchings, old botanical prints, and objets d'art as well as fine collectables all combining to create a wonderful atmosphere with light, colour, and beauty everywhere.

The villa is superbly equipped with very good quality dinnerware, cutlery and glasses as well as fine household linen and bathrobes; air conditioning throughout, satellite TV, CD player, stereo system, automatic lighting, barbecue, teak garden furniture, and good alarm system are among the refinements of this elegant home.

The partially walled gardens are nicely laid out and very well maintained: an ornate, wrought-iron dining table with seating for eight on the gravel terrace has views over the swimming pool and across the lawns towards Lucca and the Carrara mountains; 45-foot, swimming pool surrounded by private grassy sunbathing areas.

The staff includes a professional, bilingual manager, a cleaning lady and a very talented and experienced chef for lunches or dinners.

Very close by, there is an extraordinarily beautiful village with narrow lanes, a little river, bridges, hanging gardens with small vineyards, a fine church, a village bar, and a good restaurant with tented pizza annexe for the younger ones.

Lucca is a fifteen-minute drive and the chic Versilian Riviera resort of Forte dei Marmi with its boutiques, cafés, and elegant beach clubs is just a 30-minute drive; Florence, Greve in Chianti, San Gimignano, and Siena are all within 90 minutes drive; the world-famous Cinque Terra villages can easily be visited.

Pisa international airport with daily flights from New York and London is about half an hours drive: very convenient for American, European and Asian clients.

Villa Casa Minore is an ideal villa for a family or a small group seeking total peace and absolute privacy in elegant and supremely comfortable surroundings within easy reach of the village, the many charms of Lucca, the exuberant beach style of Forte dei Marmi, and all the treasures of Tuscany.