A short drive south of the walls of Lucca outside the village of Verciano this beautifully maintained converted barn (Mandolato) is one of two apartments developed from a listed barn within an ortho (smallholding) run by a couple who do everything to meet your requirements (within reason) whilst allowing privacy and freedom. This apartment is two bedrooms one a very large double bedroom with door to the large patio (this patio is also accessed from the large open plan living/dining/kitchen) which has outdoor dining table and bbq. Both have fitted wardrobes and chest of drawers. The quirk due, to the listed quality, is that the second bedroom has a window high in the communal wall between the bedrooms but this has blinds which ensure privacy. We shared with a couple it did not affect our privacy. Our 6ft 3in North American friend confirmed it was a good shower (he finds our British showers under powering) so that said it all. Whilst we love open doors to the patio we were very glad of the very efficient air conditioning in the main rooms which cooled the apartment. There are no steps to this apartment so it is suitable for anyone with mobility problems (obviously the pool would not be as it is above ground) Unlike many rental properties the kitchen is modern with fridge freezer, induction hob, Bosch oven and extensive kitchen tools for those who like to cook. Private car port and more important private garden facing the mountains with an overground pool which my husband found adequate to do his 30 minute of laps and I enjoyed to cool off in. A gazebo with table and chairs to relax after a dip all surrounded by high bay hedges without impacting the view but ensuring privacy. The situation allows day trips to Pisa, Siena, Florence, if you like the cities, lovely trips to the villages in the Garfagnana or alpine walk, 30 minutes to the sea at Viarregio or further up to Forte dei Marma and best of all a morning walk alongside the aqueduct or along the ancient walls of Lucca and magical evening walks within the medieval walls of Lucca with a drink at a bar in one of the many piazza's It is an organic site and the owners use solar panels for most of the energy (which is perhaps why there is not an additional charge for laundry, heating and wifi which we have found usual in Italian rentals) so, it is a green site however the wifi is available at no extra charge which is as well as my husband streamed some of the games of his local team whilst we were there! This place is perfect for relaxing after days out sight seeing or, just relaxing and taking a morning or evening walk into Lucca. There are always a lot of exhibitions and concerts and exhibitions and markets going on in Lucca so worth checking out the tourist website. We would definitely return.

La casa está bien ubicada, aunque para llegar y visitar toda esta zona se hace imprescindible un GPS. Lucca está muy cerca (en coche), Pisa a unos pocos minutos y Florencia a una hora aproximadamente. Desde ahí pudimos visitar una gran parte de la Toscana. Hay un excelente supermercado a pocos minutos en coche. La casa es perfecta para una pareja con niños. El comedor y una de las habitaciones se abren a un pequeño patio exterior muy agradable donde se puede cenar. La segunda habitación no tiene ventana al exterior. Sólo una ventana elevada que da a la primera habitación, pero para nosotros no fue un problema. Roberta es una anfitriona muy agradable y muy discreta. Su presencia es casi invisible a pesar de vivir justo al lado, pero atiende rápidamente cualquier necesidad. Todo el interior está en muy excelentes condiciones y es muy confortable. La cocina está muy bien equipada y es muy cómoda. La wifi es muy buena. La recogida de basuras es algo complicada, ya que reciclan y hacen compost, pero nosotros ya estamos acostumbrados, así que ningún problema. Pudimos usar una lavadora. La piscina la usamos poco. Es pequeña pero suficiente para refrescarse. En conjunto, un alojamiento altamente recomendable. Repetiríamos.

We stayed at La pergola for eight days while visiting with friends who had booked for one month. The ground floor apartment is bright, clean and well maintained with easy access to the outdoors. The kitchen has everything needed for meal preparation as well as dining table and chairs both indoors and out. The kitchen and master bedroom each have access to a large private patio. The beds are comfortable and the shower is large and has great water pressure. Roberta and Renzo are pleasant and helpful but respectful of privacy. They generously shared the organic produce from the garden.

We returned to La Pergola after an enjoyable stay last year and were not disappointed. The accommodation, which is near Lucca, is comfortable and very well thought through for a self catering holiday with all equipment one could wish for in the kitchen, ample amenities for laundry etc. enhanced by the surroundings and the very helpful and welcoming Owners. Any query is never too much trouble which saves time and contributes to a relaxing holiday. Great shower as a Canadian friend commented (and they are picky) Wifi absolutely excellent, just wish we could get BT to offer us the same here. Mobile signal better than mine in rural Sussex TV Italian stations but DVD provided so bring your own YOU DO NEED A CAR Read about the layout of the rooms. We had friends who made a visit with the Owners agreement, and slept in the second bedroom which has bunk beds and a single bed we were informed it was comfortable. Ideally situated for day visits to a a wealth of sites in Tuscany, from cities, to mountains and sea. And for those relaxing days, we thoroughly enjoyed the private garden with surrounding mountains. The large patio with table and chairs for 5 was so enjoyable for leisurely lunches or dinners when not dining out. We plan to return again.

We spent a month in Lucca with a very comfortable stay at this property which we discovered having spent a family holiday at the owners other property Il Mandolato. The owners are very welcoming and very helpful but not intrusive. We liked it so much we have booked another stay in 2015. The accommodation is comfortable with a large double bedroom opening onto the large patio which extends across the front of the apartment, the door from the main room also opens onto this patio. The second bedroom contains comfortable single beds and we think this room is suitable for children as the large window of this room is across the top of the wall adjoining the main bedroom. but privacy is not an issue. The bathroom facilities are good with excellent shower The living,dining, kitchen area is in one large room opening to the patio and has everything one requires with full kitchen facilities and utensils, large fridge freezer, dining table with 6 chairs, cupboards , TV, sofa and there is also a desk in one corner which is very useful. Laundry facilities are available alongside the property. Dining out on the patio is lovely in the evening or breakfast in the morning. There is a small garden with olive tree from the patio and walk through this to car parking and across a small private lane to your own garden looking towards the mountains with an above ground pool and garden furniture. The owners also allow access to the rest of their property although one should respect the privacy of the garden with the inground pool which is rented with Il Mandolato There is a large supermarket a short drive outside the next village and some good restaurants in Verciana and outlying villages. This is an excellent location for the area, Lucca is a 10 minute drive where there is parking outside the walls excellent inexpensive transport to Florence, Siena and the Chianti region. The sea is 20 minutes drive away A car is necessary and we have more exploring to do especially to the north into the Garfagnana mountains. If you want a self catering holiday in Italy in a location to explore art and nature this is the spot. As this is on the ground floor, unlike the Owner's other property, it is also suitable for disable people although the above ground pool would not be. If required the owners may be able to arrange Italian tuition which I did with an excellent tutor. We would highly recommend both property, location and the welcome and help from the owners.