Perfect holiday villa
Our Al Bastini stay was a dream. With awe-inspiring views, the villa’s expansive terraces became havens for relaxation. The rooms embody spacious elegance and local charm, blending modern comfort with countryside aesthetics. The newly renovated kitchen (with dual dishwashers and fridges) exceeded expectations for food enthusiasts like us. Outdoor BBQ and pizza oven experiences, courtesy of Chef Fabrizio, were absolute highlights. Thanks to gardener Thomas, the beautifully maintained garden’s fresh produce added authenticity to our meals: the kids loved picking ripe tomatoes, fragrant herbs, and small zucchinis. The saltwater pool was the epitome of relaxation: we spent countless hours floating, reading, and enjoying the ambiance. Al Bastini’s standout was great service: Alex, Iris, and Tanya ensured smooth reservations, check-in/out, and prompt assistance. Our stay was flawless. Seeking beauty, comfort, and tranquility? Al Bastini is your haven.
We had a fantastic week at Al Bastini! With 4 adults and 5 kids we tried and tested everything: The kids loved the pool, the grounds and the table tennis (we left a football and float for the next children!). The adults loved the new kitchen, the view and the dinners cooked by Morena.
We really enjoyed the variety of things to do between the beach, trips to Florence and Pisa and vinery visit in Bolgheri. And special thanks to Tanya who was always on hand to help organise anything we wanted!
Al Bastini is a very beautiful home in a very special part of the Italy. The villa is very private with a beautiful view down the valley. The accomodation is well laid out with lots of seperate areas for dining including a large loggia for summer eating outside. The kitchen is fabulous – having just been completed in May 2023. The pool also has just been refurbished and was easily warm enough for us swimming without additional heating. The house keeper/manager was extremely helpful in providing information for shopping, restaurants and activities in and around Lucca – and there is a lot to do and see in Lucca!
La Dolce Vita!
We are so grateful to have celebrated our first wedding anniversary at Al Bastini, which offers a quintessential Tuscan experience that exceeded even our wildest expectations. Nestled into a wooded hillside, Al Bastini has the most breathtaking panoramic views which are both unspoilt and private. We were left speechless when first stepping onto the terrace, and we continued to be wowed each and everyday as the sky changed from blues, to pinks and reds in the evening and then became littered with stars in the night sky. Opening the shutters every morning to this view was a treat in itself. We opted to spend most of our time lazing by the private pool which provided the perfect relief from the late summer sunshine. There would be ample space for 10 to swim and sunbathe, so for just two of us it was a very special and secluded treat. Many evenings were spent on the terrace, or loggia, whiling away the hours watching the sunset with a glass of wine in hand. On occasion we made use of the beautifully crafted outdoor barbecue, and pizza oven. Al Bastini is well located, with local restaurants, gelaterias and supermarkets just a few minutes away by car. The beautiful medieval town of Lucca is 15 minutes away and was a daily destination for lunch, dinner or drinks. We fell in love with the town, with its cobbled streets, medieval walls and eclectic shops. We were reluctant to leave the serene surroundings of Bastini, but ventured by car to the hilltop town of San Gigmiano, Siena, and the Tuscan capital, Florence, by train from Lucca. All are well worth a visit, if you can drag yourself away from the house and pool! Bastini provides the perfect base for exploring. To complete our experience we enjoyed privately cooked dinners from two of the chefs available to hire via the property managers. Morena and Fabrizio treated us to the most impeccable service and exquisite cuisine, and to our favourite, tiramisu! On the rare occasion the weather was inclement, the indoor facilities of the house were more than sufficient entertainment. Whether watching the vast array of satellite TV channels on the comfy sofas in the living room or playing snooker/pool with a late night aperitif, we were not left wanting. Italian’s have a phrase, ‘la dolce vita’ which loosely translates to ‘the good life’ and, after the past two weeks stay at Bastini, we can fully appreciate and understand it’s meaning. Alla Prossima!
Perfect holiday villa
We loved our stay at Al Bastini. The views are stunning and the pool is the perfect place to relax on a hot day. Rooms were comfortable and the snooker table was great fun! It is only a short drive to the attractive historic town of Lucca and in the heart of the Tuscan wine region so plenty to do when we wanted to leave the comfort of Al Bastini. A wonderful trip that we hope to repeat in the future!
I have rented several properties for family gatherings through VRBO, but none has been as wonderful as Al Bastini. Everything about our week-long stay was perfect–the setting, the villa, the fabulous salt-water pool, the easy proximity to Lucca and surrounding towns and beaches, and the support from the property manager and the house manager, who helped us find chefs to cook for us and a boat trip to Cinque Terre. It is a very special place. Everyone loved it.
Have been holidaying around Lucca for 20 years plus and Al Bastini has never been matched in terms of favourite house for my family and I. Ideally situated 15 minutes from Lucca and shops but still only 40 minutes to Pisa airport, 50 minutes from the coast and an easy day outing to the Cinque Terre. The house sits on the side of a quiet valley with an unrivalled view over green hills and total peace. No road noise and hardly any lights can be seen in the evening While the bedrooms/bathrooms are comfortable (master suite in particular is great) and airconditioned and the snooker room, piano room luxury sitting room with full music and TV are all great to have, what really makes the house is all the many places to sit, read, eat and enjoy the sun and the view. The kitchen has everything you need for a keen cook and you can eat in the superb covered terrace off the kitchen with view overlooking the valley or outside by the BBQ/pizza oven (or even in the dining room!). The pool is close but set just the right distance form the house and has plenty of chairs and loungers . It also benefits from a new non chlorine saline filtering system that makes swimming very pleasant. Tanya the onsite manager was super efficient and Tomas the gardener helpful and pleasant.
“”Just celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary at Al Bastini. It was the most wonderful 3 weeks. The villa, its magnificent views, the pool and grounds were perfection. Our family and friends enjoyed wonderful together-time and still had many opportunities to have quiet-time as well. Some of our guests rented Vespas to do additional exploring and truly enjoyed the area. Lucca, only five miles away, continues to delight and offers great restaurants and shopping. Our anniversary dinner (for nine people) was prepared by a chef recommended by the villa by the name of Fabrizio. He was excellent. We would definitely book again.”
“Al Bastini is a rare find. A sophisticated holiday home, in a glorious rural setting, affording total privacy. Located only a short distance from the medieval walled city of Lucca, it also provides easy access to everything that the cultural and vibrant city has to offer.
The property is a very attractive stone building situated at the end of a long, ascending approach. Set high on the side of a beautiful wooded valley, interspersed with olive and cypress trees, the views from every aspect of the house and its extensive grounds are outstanding.
We stayed for a week in May 2022 and the weather was perfect; long, hot days and warm evenings.
The website description of the house is accurate but simply cannot do it justice. We had the most fabulous and memorable holiday at Al Bastini and perhaps the memories may give a better sense of this very special home: waking to cheerful birdsong; opening the bedroom window shutters to gaze on the gorgeous colours in the terracotta planters and the verdant vale beyond; breakfast on the outdoor terrace overlooking the valley and the mountains further afield; sitting on the upper terrace trying to read a novel but all the while being drawn to contemplate the views; the glorious scent of the climbing foliage on the wall below; the near silence whilst lounging at the poolside late afternoons; the joy of diving into the shimmering blue of the incredible swimming pool; the bustle in the kitchen in readiness for another superb evening meal; aperitifs on the terrace listening to the occasional clicking of the cicadas; late night suppers at the long table in the loggia, all of us laughing and chatting into the early hours; and the captivating displays of the fireflies in the darkness. Aside from the property, we enjoyed the splendid cuisine of friendly restaurants and delicious items of food from local artisan producers. Day trips to Lucca, Forte dei Marmi, Pietrasanta, Villa Puccini in Torre del Lago, excellent local vineyards and last but not least, Florence, were all memorable in so many ways.
We had an amazing time at Al Bastini and have no hesitation in recommending this exceptional property as a holiday home.”
“Mamma mia! What a fantastic Tuscan gem. A glorious villa nestled within a gorgeous, unspoilt Tuscan landscape. Beautifully and sympathetically furnished, with everything needed to live la dolce vita, from a state-of-the-art swimming pool to an epic pizza oven and grill – and so very much more besides. Everything worked – and one got the sense that if something didn’t, the highly organised and attentive house management team would engage and resolve, rapido! The support staff were unobtrusive, obliging and human. We had an exquisite dinner cooked one evening by one of the local cooks recommended by the villa.
We’d never been to Lucca before – but what a destination in it’s own right – as well as a marvellous base for other Tuscan forays.
‘Oh, to be in Italy – and specifically Lucca – now that May’s there’ [sic, apologies to Robert Browning].
Al Bastini is an authentic Tuscan holiday delight – with all boxes fully ticked for an immersive, worry-free holiday. In fact our only complaint was that our time was over far too quickly.
Oh but the views – those views were to sigh for.
La dolce vita, on steroids.
Grazie mille.”
“Everything you imagine from the quintessential Tuscan Villa, and more. The beautiful setting with stunning views was truly the stuff of dreams and filmsets. We’d throw open the shutters every morning and think “wow”! Al Bastini proved to be spacious easy living, layered with historic authenticity and surrounded by glorious countryside. The nearby town of Lucca offers the same “real Tuscany” vibe, along with great restaurants, shopping and people watching. We also loved the nearby beach resort at Forte dei Marmi, embraced the spectacular local wine tasting opportunities and took in the splendours of Florence on an easy day trip. But, perhaps most of all, we enjoyed evenings sipping cocktails on the Al Bastini terrace, cooking with the wood fired oven and BBQ, eating in the covered loggia and watching the sun go down before the fireflies treated us to their extraordinary display. A wonderful holiday, thank you Al Bastini.”
“”A wonderful family holiday! It was wonderful stay! The house is charming, comfortable, stunningly beautiful nestled on a hillside with breathtaking views. We all wished we could have stayed longer. Ask to have a private chef, Morena. She is just superb! Thank you so much for your hospitality!”
“The perfect autumn break!
Wow, what a location, the views from Al Bastini were mesmerising, making it very difficult to tear ourselves away from the terrace and the coffee machine!
The heated pool was the perfect temperature for early morning swims while the sun rose over the hills.
Well equipped kitchen and great spaces for us all to cook eat and relax in comfort and style.
Wonderful local restaurants on our doorstep and dozens of quality eateries in Lucca.”
We used local chefs Tamara and Morena on two separate evenings, as recommended by the owners. They were so friendly and cooked up a real Tuscan feast for us.
We visited a fabulous beach only half an hour away with superb fish restaurants and glorious warm water for swimming in the October sunshine.
We made a smart call to visit in October with less tourists than we expected but still warm and sunny… what could be better than that.
Thoroughly recommend AB for an autumn Italian fix. We will be back.
“Al Bastini has a wonderful setting with panoramic views from all parts of the terrace. It is a delight to sit or lounge on the terrace and take it all in. The lovely pool is conveniently located on the terrace and all is set up perfectly for outside relaxation.
There is table tennis and snooker/pool/billiards for indoor entertainment and the covered loggia is ideal for outside dining in the evening.
There is a great restaurant down in the village connected to the butchers for those liking a good walk to and from an excellent lunch and Lucca is only 20 minutes away by car with all of its charms. Florence, Pisa and the beach are all within easy drives so Al Bastini is a good location for Tuscan exploration
We went in early October and the weather was still warm and ideal for site seeing and relaxation, although a jumper at night might be required
We had a lovely time at Al Bastini.”
“Al Bastini was simply perfect…we experienced all of the wonderful images of Italy – rolling hillsides, rugged woods, silence, wonderful sunrises and sunsets across the valley, cool cocktails by the pool, coffee and breakfast on the terrace. Bastini is wonderfully close to the vibrant town of Lucca and the seaside – everything we could ask of our holiday in Italy.”
“We had a wonderful stay at Bastini, a very special place in a beautiful location. With magnificent views over the Tuscan valley below, the house is spacious, peaceful, and comfortable. There is a great pool and everything else you would expect….as well as a piano room..and a snooker room. Occasionally dragging ourselves away from this splendid house, the lovely walled town of Lucca is only 5 miles away, with great restaurants and lots of places of historic interest. Bastini is the perfect place for a relaxing holiday. Highly recommended.”
“A very memorable stay. The manager and owner could not have been more helpful – we used the chef for one of our evenings, selecting the four course menu for our party of 10 and the meal was delicious. Thanks for a wonderful family holiday.”
“Our 6 weeks at Al Bastini were really perfect – 20 people over the period! The gardener and caretaker extraordinaire, Thomas, became our translator and our friend – he keeps everything in top shape. We heated the pool and it was the perfect temperature for my guests from California and Florida. Best of all was early morning coffee overlooking the valley and Lucca in the distance. We will never forget Al Bastini – a piece of my heart will always be there.”
“The villa is stunningly beautiful, nestled on a hillside with breathtaking views. Old charm with modern conveniences, spotless and with ample room for our party of 9. Our favourite spot was the loggia where we would start each morning with coffee and breakfast then end each night with a glass of wine. We had such a wonderful time and will be talking about it for years to come. Great location – we visited Lucca, Florence, Siena, the Cinque Terre and San Gimignano. A special thank you to Alex for assisting us with booking a wine tour, a chef and answering all of my questions – she was a pleasure to work with. Morena, our chef for one evening, was just superb. We all wished we could have stayed longer.”
“We didn’t want to leave… The house is charming, comfortable and has everything you want for a perfect stay. The outside area is beautiful with a great pool and beautiful views. Our family of 10 – across 3 generations – had plenty of space. The time went very quickly, and we all had such a good time, we were sorry that we didn’t book a second week.”
“The villa was even better than we had imagined. Lucca is a must – a lovely walled town. Pisa well worth a visit and the beach is not far. Morena cooked a wonderful meal for us and the well-equipped kitchen (and barbeque) made self-catering simple. Relaxed by the pool, played table tennis and pool. Wonderful after the bustle of Rome – we didn’t want to leave!”
“Wonderful family holiday – highly recommended for family and friends. The house is a genuine home and large enough for our family of 10 to not feel all over each other. The loggia off the kitchen was our dinner and chatting area where we sat and enjoyed the evenings. The beds are very comfortable, and we all slept very well – the air con being an added bonus. Overall this was a holiday of a lifetime that we had promised our children and grandchildren for some years.”
“Al Bastini was great. The pool was so well heated the kids could stay in all day. The peace and lovely views, the shaded balcony beside the kitchen, the excellent barbecue, the air conditioning in the bedrooms and living room all made life very pleasant for the adults. Lucca is a very pleasant place to wander around in and taste good wine and food. The walk/bike-ride around the walls was memorable.”
“Mamma mia! What a fantastic Tuscan gem. A glorious villa nestled within a gorgeous, unspoilt Tuscan landscape. Beautifully and sympathetically furnished, with everything needed to live la dolce vita, from a state-of-the-art swimming pool to an epic pizza oven and grill – and so very much more besides. Everything worked – and one got the sense that if something didn’t, the highly organised and attentive house management team would engage and resolve, rapido! The support staff were unobtrusive, obliging and human. We had an exquisite dinner cooked one evening by one of the local cooks recommended by the villa.
We’d never been to Lucca before – but what a destination in it’s own right – as well as a marvellous base for other Tuscan forays.
‘Oh, to be in Italy – and specifically Lucca – now that May’s there’ [sic, apologies to Robert Browning].
Al Bastini is an authentic Tuscan holiday delight – with all boxes fully ticked for an immersive, worry-free holiday. In fact our only complaint was that our time was over far too quickly.
Oh but the views – those views were to sigh for.
La dolce vita, on steroids.
Grazie mille.”
I have rented several properties for family gatherings through VRBO, but none has been as wonderful as Al Bastini. Everything about our week-long stay was perfect–the setting, the villa, the fabulous salt-water pool, the easy proximity to Lucca and surrounding towns and beaches, and the support from the property manager and the house manager, who helped us find chefs to cook for us and a boat trip to Cinque Terre. It is a very special place. Everyone loved it.
“”Just celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary at Al Bastini. It was the most wonderful 3 weeks. The villa, its magnificent views, the pool and grounds were perfection. Our family and friends enjoyed wonderful together-time and still had many opportunities to have quiet-time as well. Some of our guests rented Vespas to do additional exploring and truly enjoyed the area. Lucca, only five miles away, continues to delight and offers great restaurants and shopping. Our anniversary dinner (for nine people) was prepared by a chef recommended by the villa by the name of Fabrizio. He was excellent. We would definitely book again.”
“Al Bastini is a rare find. A sophisticated holiday home, in a glorious rural setting, affording total privacy. Located only a short distance from the medieval walled city of Lucca, it also provides easy access to everything that the cultural and vibrant city has to offer.
The property is a very attractive stone building situated at the end of a long, ascending approach. Set high on the side of a beautiful wooded valley, interspersed with olive and cypress trees, the views from every aspect of the house and its extensive grounds are outstanding.
We stayed for a week in May 2022 and the weather was perfect; long, hot days and warm evenings.
The website description of the house is accurate but simply cannot do it justice. We had the most fabulous and memorable holiday at Al Bastini and perhaps the memories may give a better sense of this very special home: waking to cheerful birdsong; opening the bedroom window shutters to gaze on the gorgeous colours in the terracotta planters and the verdant vale beyond; breakfast on the outdoor terrace overlooking the valley and the mountains further afield; sitting on the upper terrace trying to read a novel but all the while being drawn to contemplate the views; the glorious scent of the climbing foliage on the wall below; the near silence whilst lounging at the poolside late afternoons; the joy of diving into the shimmering blue of the incredible swimming pool; the bustle in the kitchen in readiness for another superb evening meal; aperitifs on the terrace listening to the occasional clicking of the cicadas; late night suppers at the long table in the loggia, all of us laughing and chatting into the early hours; and the captivating displays of the fireflies in the darkness. Aside from the property, we enjoyed the splendid cuisine of friendly restaurants and delicious items of food from local artisan producers. Day trips to Lucca, Forte dei Marmi, Pietrasanta, Villa Puccini in Torre del Lago, excellent local vineyards and last but not least, Florence, were all memorable in so many ways.
We had an amazing time at Al Bastini and have no hesitation in recommending this exceptional property as a holiday home.”
“Everything you imagine from the quintessential Tuscan Villa, and more. The beautiful setting with stunning views was truly the stuff of dreams and filmsets. We’d throw open the shutters every morning and think “wow”! Al Bastini proved to be spacious easy living, layered with historic authenticity and surrounded by glorious countryside. The nearby town of Lucca offers the same “real Tuscany” vibe, along with great restaurants, shopping and people watching. We also loved the nearby beach resort at Forte dei Marmi, embraced the spectacular local wine tasting opportunities and took in the splendours of Florence on an easy day trip. But, perhaps most of all, we enjoyed evenings sipping cocktails on the Al Bastini terrace, cooking with the wood fired oven and BBQ, eating in the covered loggia and watching the sun go down before the fireflies treated us to their extraordinary display. A wonderful holiday, thank you Al Bastini.”
“”A wonderful family holiday! It was wonderful stay! The house is charming, comfortable, stunningly beautiful nestled on a hillside with breathtaking views. We all wished we could have stayed longer. Ask to have a private chef, Morena. She is just superb! Thank you so much for your hospitality!”
“The perfect autumn break!
Wow, what a location, the views from Al Bastini were mesmerising, making it very difficult to tear ourselves away from the terrace and the coffee machine!
The heated pool was the perfect temperature for early morning swims while the sun rose over the hills.
Well equipped kitchen and great spaces for us all to cook eat and relax in comfort and style.
Wonderful local restaurants on our doorstep and dozens of quality eateries in Lucca.”
We used local chefs Tamara and Morena on two separate evenings, as recommended by the owners. They were so friendly and cooked up a real Tuscan feast for us.
We visited a fabulous beach only half an hour away with superb fish restaurants and glorious warm water for swimming in the October sunshine.
We made a smart call to visit in October with less tourists than we expected but still warm and sunny… what could be better than that.
Thoroughly recommend AB for an autumn Italian fix. We will be back.
“Al Bastini has a wonderful setting with panoramic views from all parts of the terrace. It is a delight to sit or lounge on the terrace and take it all in. The lovely pool is conveniently located on the terrace and all is set up perfectly for outside relaxation.
There is table tennis and snooker/pool/billiards for indoor entertainment and the covered loggia is ideal for outside dining in the evening.
There is a great restaurant down in the village connected to the butchers for those liking a good walk to and from an excellent lunch and Lucca is only 20 minutes away by car with all of its charms. Florence, Pisa and the beach are all within easy drives so Al Bastini is a good location for Tuscan exploration
We went in early October and the weather was still warm and ideal for site seeing and relaxation, although a jumper at night might be required
We had a lovely time at Al Bastini.”
“Al Bastini was simply perfect…we experienced all of the wonderful images of Italy – rolling hillsides, rugged woods, silence, wonderful sunrises and sunsets across the valley, cool cocktails by the pool, coffee and breakfast on the terrace. Bastini is wonderfully close to the vibrant town of Lucca and the seaside – everything we could ask of our holiday in Italy.”
“We had a wonderful stay at Bastini, a very special place in a beautiful location. With magnificent views over the Tuscan valley below, the house is spacious, peaceful, and comfortable. There is a great pool and everything else you would expect….as well as a piano room..and a snooker room. Occasionally dragging ourselves away from this splendid house, the lovely walled town of Lucca is only 5 miles away, with great restaurants and lots of places of historic interest. Bastini is the perfect place for a relaxing holiday. Highly recommended.”
“A very memorable stay. The manager and owner could not have been more helpful – we used the chef for one of our evenings, selecting the four course menu for our party of 10 and the meal was delicious. Thanks for a wonderful family holiday.”
“Our 6 weeks at Al Bastini were really perfect – 20 people over the period! The gardener and caretaker extraordinaire, Thomas, became our translator and our friend – he keeps everything in top shape. We heated the pool and it was the perfect temperature for my guests from California and Florida. Best of all was early morning coffee overlooking the valley and Lucca in the distance. We will never forget Al Bastini – a piece of my heart will always be there.”
“The villa is stunningly beautiful, nestled on a hillside with breathtaking views. Old charm with modern conveniences, spotless and with ample room for our party of 9. Our favourite spot was the loggia where we would start each morning with coffee and breakfast then end each night with a glass of wine. We had such a wonderful time and will be talking about it for years to come. Great location – we visited Lucca, Florence, Siena, the Cinque Terre and San Gimignano. A special thank you to Alex for assisting us with booking a wine tour, a chef and answering all of my questions – she was a pleasure to work with. Morena, our chef for one evening, was just superb. We all wished we could have stayed longer.”
“We didn’t want to leave… The house is charming, comfortable and has everything you want for a perfect stay. The outside area is beautiful with a great pool and beautiful views. Our family of 10 – across 3 generations – had plenty of space. The time went very quickly, and we all had such a good time, we were sorry that we didn’t book a second week.”
“The villa was even better than we had imagined. Lucca is a must – a lovely walled town. Pisa well worth a visit and the beach is not far. Morena cooked a wonderful meal for us and the well-equipped kitchen (and barbeque) made self-catering simple. Relaxed by the pool, played table tennis and pool. Wonderful after the bustle of Rome – we didn’t want to leave!”
“Wonderful family holiday – highly recommended for family and friends. The house is a genuine home and large enough for our family of 10 to not feel all over each other. The loggia off the kitchen was our dinner and chatting area where we sat and enjoyed the evenings. The beds are very comfortable, and we all slept very well – the air con being an added bonus. Overall this was a holiday of a lifetime that we had promised our children and grandchildren for some years.”
“Al Bastini was great. The pool was so well heated the kids could stay in all day. The peace and lovely views, the shaded balcony beside the kitchen, the excellent barbecue, the air conditioning in the bedrooms and living room all made life very pleasant for the adults. Lucca is a very pleasant place to wander around in and taste good wine and food. The walk/bike-ride around the walls was memorable.”