Santa Gemma
Key Highlights
- A stunning venue for both weddings and family holidays with its ornate Italian gardens and beautiful surroundings
- Expect a high level of service from bath robes, slippers and mini-bars in each bedroom to breakfast every morning and a welcome dinner for guests staying a week or more
- The duplex suites are superb with a living area downstairs, a sumptuous bedroom on the upper level and two en suite bathrooms!
- Restaurants and shops are within walking distance whilst enchanting and historic Lucca is just 11km away
- Visit Pisa, Florence and even the Tuscan or Ligurian coast for more wonderful days out
- A Lemon House is available at an extra fee. Please enquire for more info.
1) 11 bedrooms only - the annexe will be closed (22-person price)
2) 16 bedrooms (32-person price)
Villa Interiors
Ground Floor
- Large living area with chairs, sofas, satellite TV, DVD player and music system. Doors leading to garden
- Dining room with large table
- Study with desk, PC, printer and copier
- Professional kitchen, fully-equipped including dishwasher (x2), fridge, freezer, oven, stoves (x2), kettle, microwave, blender, toaster and coffee maker. Doors leading to garden
- Laundry room
- Pantry
- 2 x guest WCs (one fully accessible)
First Floor (via lift or stairs)
- Bedroom (20m2) with double/twin bed (180x190cm) and en suite shower room with open shower. Suitable for guests with restricted mobility (using lift). Connecting door to below suite.
- Suite (60m2) with living area, sofa-bed, mini-bar, wardrobe area with safe and bathroom with bath, hand-held shower and WC. Upstairs (open-tread) to partially mezzanine-level with king-size double/twin bed (200x190cm), desk, mini-bar and en suite shower room with WC. Living area connects with above bedroom.
- 3 x further suites (60m2) with living area, sofa-bed, mini-bar, wardrobe area with safe and bathroom with bath, hand-held shower and WC. Upstairs (open-tread) to partially mezzanine-level loft bedroom with king-size double/twin bed (200x190cm), desk, mini-bar and en suite shower room with WC.
- Suite (60m2, via steps from hallway) with living area, sofa-bed, mini-bar, wardrobe and bathroom with shower and WC. Upstairs (open-tread) to partially mezzanine-level loft bedroom with twin beds (115cm wide), mini-bar and en suite shower room with WC.
Second Floor (via lift or partially open-tread stairs)
- Bedroom (25m2) with double/twin bed (180x190cm) and en suite bathroom with small bath, hand-held shower and WC
- Hallway with living area
- Bedroom (40m2) with king-size double/twin bed (200x190cm), balcony with garden view, walk-in wardrobe and small study area with desk, en suite bathroom with bath, hand-held shower, WC and separate shower cubicle
- Bedroom (40m2) with king-size double/twin bed (200x190cm) and bathroom with bath, hand-held shower and WC
- Bedroom (24m2) with double/twin bed (180x190cm)
- Bedroom (20m2) with double/twin bed (180x190cm)
- Bathroom with corner bath (with shower above), WC and two wash basins (shared between above two bedrooms)
Annexe Interiors
Ground Floor
- Large dining room (can seat up to 80 people for events)
- Kitchen, professionally equipped
- Gym and jacuzzi
First Floor
- 2 x bedrooms with shared bathroom
- 3 x junior suites with en suite bathroom
Outside Grounds
- Heated swimming pool (14x6m, depth: 1.4m) open approximately April to October. Heated on request (in advance). Fenced surroundings
- Al-fresco dining area
- Barbecue
- Lawns
- Walled formal gardens with fountain
- Lemon and grapefruit trees
- Outdoor fitness area
- Garden toys
- Reception room (for meetings and/or events, charges apply)
- Fenced grounds
- Parking
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Air-conditioning (bedrooms)
- Heating
- Fireplace
- Lift (for luggage)
- PC, printer and copier
- Telephone
- Satellite TVs with English speaking channels
- DVD player
- CD player and stereo
- Alarm clock
- Mini-bars
- Robe and slippers
- Safes
- Hairdryers
- Mosquito nets
- Games
- Outdoor fitness area
- Gym and jacuzzi (only if booking annexe)
- Garden toys
- Ironing facilities
- Washing machine and dryer
Immerse yourself in a quintessential Tuscan experience at this splendid 17th century home where you will be welcomed with open arms by the passionate owners who have restored this villa with Italian charm and grace.
Santa Gemma dates back to the 1600s when a noble family bought the villa as their summer residence, then in the 19th century it was gifted to monks who altered the rooms and attached a school and church to the house. Its current owners have spent many years overseeing the careful renovation of this grand villa, bringing it back to its former beauty, even hiring an artist from Florence to restore the 18th century frescoes which can be found in some of the wonderful rooms.
Of course, no expense has been spared to introduce 21st century luxuries such as complimentary Wi-Fi, mini-bars and robes in the bedrooms and beautiful bathrooms, many with contemporary rain showers. In the main villa there are eleven air-conditioned bedrooms upstairs, most en suite, including five duplex suites with their own living area, sumptuous bedroom and two bathrooms! A lift for luggage, an equipped study and an outdoor fitness area are just some of the other added features that are sure to impress.
Relax in the elegant living room, create feasts in the perfectly equipped kitchen and serve under the fresco-painted ceiling of the grand dining room. Much of the ground floor also opens up to the 19th century formal gardens. Views of olive groves, vineyards and the distant mountains are breathtaking or you may just find yourself distracted by the aromas of citrus and herbs as you explore the paths leading to ornate lawns, fruit trees and pretty places to sit in solitude. The setting of the swimming pool is simply sublime with jasmine and roses trailing over the traditional stone walls.
The owners in 2022 have added a charming two-storey annexe offering five additional bedrooms, three of them junior suites with their own bathrooms, as well as a large dining room and gym.
It’s also a picture-perfect wedding venue, not just because of the glorious gardens ideal for a summer ceremony and marquee or the limonaia which can be transformed into a magical dining room. A reception can alternatively be hosted in the grand surroundings of the villa itself and the adjoining chapel adds to the romantic ambience of this special venue.
Set within walking distance to a handful of shops and restaurants, the location is superb with the enchanting town of Lucca just 11km away, Pisa and Florence also within striking distance as well as a wealth of medieval villages close by. Visit magical Collodi (the home of Pinocchio’s author) or the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci, followed by sunny beach days at Viareggio or even as far as the Ligurian coast.
Whether a family holiday or a once in a lifetime event, Santa Gemma offers Italian beauty, character and historic charm and allows you to explore this captivating part of northern Tuscany and beyond.
- There is such a wonderful range of bedrooms – check the Features for full details including the duplex suites with two en suite bathrooms!
- Air-conditioning is featured in the bedrooms only.
- The 22-person price includes eleven bedrooms and the annexe will be closed. The 32-person price includes the annexe which features a gym, jacuzzi and large dining room.
- Availability is on request only during winter months - please enquire.
- The owners live in the west-wing of the building and grounds, with their own entrance and parking area. They are always on hand if ever needed.
- If you would like the pool to be heated, then advance notice is needed as it takes a day to get to the right temperature. See "T&C" tab for full details.
- A Lemon House is available at an extra fee. Please enquire for more info.
Oliver's Extras
- Maid Service Included
- Cooking Classes Available
- Wine-Tasting Available
- Transfers Available
- Breakfast Included
- Welcome Buffet on Arrival (if staying one week or more)
At Oliver’s Travels we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact the Oliver’s Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
- Maid service/extra cleaning
- Private chef/cook/catering
- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge
- Local day-trips or tours
- Airport pick-up/drop-off
Extras included at this property:
- Welcome buffet on arrival day including wine (for stays of 7 nights or more)
- Continental breakfast (coffee, juice, cereal, fresh fruit, yoghurt, bread and croissants, condiments, boiled eggs, cheese, ham, salad). Two hours service
- Stocked mini-bars in every bedroom (charges apply for re-filling)
- Maid service (4 hours per day, six days per week)
Extras available at this property in cash (payable locally):
- Full service option
- Extra maid service/change of linen
- Fridge-stocking and pre-arrival shopping
- Lunch, dinner and special meals
- Luggage porter on arrival/departure
- Car service with driver
- Cooking classes
- Wine-tastings and tours
- Food tastings meals (olive oil, cheese, cold meats etc)
- Classical music concerts in the church
- Laundry service
- Catering for special events
- Church rental
- Rental of Limonaia events space
- Groceries shopping
- Pool heating
Extras have to be settled in cash (euros) locally. Alternatively, credit cards and bank transfer payments are accepted with a surcharge of 22% (VAT).In case of multiple services a 30% non-refundable pre-payment is required by bank transfer.
Please note that the use of any external caterers and/or contractors is not permitted.
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!
Weddings & Events Information
Ask a questionEnjoy a summer reception in the warm Italian sunshine, dance the evening away in the limonaia and drink fine Tuscan wine by candlelight in the beautifully lit gardens. Of course, there are also possibilities to create a picture-perfect wedding inside this grand 17th century villa with its frescoed ceilings and ornate ambience.
Wedding Reception
The reception can take place either inside the villa or in the glorious gardens, in each case for up to 60 people. Dancing can take place outside or hire the stunning Limonaia for the perfect evening disco all the way til midnight (when the music should be turned very low or completely off). A marquee for up to 30 guests can also be arranged.
In case of bad weather, either the Limonaia can be rented out or the main salone in the villa can be set up for a wedding reception.
Wedding Ceremony
The estate is able to host legal civil ceremonies, either set up beautifully in the gardens for up to 60 people or inside the chapel, at an extra charge. An English-speaking celebrant or priest can be organised for the ceremony.
Where to Stay
Up to 32 attendees can stay in Santa Gemma and the owners also have an alternative villa for a further 20 guests, only 500m away from the estate.
Transport can be arranged for any further guests staying elsewhere.
Wedding Planning
The owners can provide a wedding planning service or guests may use their own. The owners do not have exclusive suppliers but are happy to provide any suggestions for florists, musicians/bands/DJs, dancefloor, chairs, tables, celebrants, photographers and other services.
Catering
There is an in-house catering service – further details can be provided.
Please note that any event rental may be subject to additional charges, venue hire fees and to a higher security deposit, which will be in addition to any published rental rates and fees.
All events are on request only and subject to prior agreement from the owner, who reserves the right to refuse all events without their prior authorisation.
