Belvedere Country Estate

Welcome to Belvedere Country Estate

Belvedere: is a sixteenth-century Tuscan estate, is situated between the towns of Lucca and Pisa in the village Rigoli, near the town of San Giuliano Terme, at the base of Mount Pisa. Lore passed down from generation to generation claims that olives have been cultivated here since the days of the Roman Empire and maybe even before. Built by the lords of Pisa in 1540, the original design of the estate remains intact to this day. The Pisa lords could not have chosen a more picturesque setting - at a height of 130 m above sea level, the view from Belvedere's terraces, across olive groves and out over the plain towards the sea, is quite extraordinary. On a clear day the Leaning Tower of Pisa is clearly visible, as are some islands in the Mediterranean. The air around Belvedere is pure, spicy, and rich with the smell of Mediterranean vegetation. The climate is mild and sunny, explaining why the cooler months around Mount Pisa are favoured by such horticultural connoisseurs as the camellia, the mimosa, lemons, kiwis, oranges or avocados. Due to the mild climate, Belvedere is available for rent throughout the year. From November through March guests can receive lessons in painting, or take the opportunity to improve their Italian with the help of a qualified teacher. Both tennis and golf can be played year-round, and with no fewer than ten courses within a forty-five minute radius of the estate, it's no wonder that this area is considered a golfer's paradise by amateurs and professionals alike. Close by, there are also facilities for horse riding. Long walks at the sea, or through the mountains, are encouraged throughout the whole year.
Belcanto, a part of Villa Belvedere: It is a flat within the larger of the two houses, and can accommodate four to six people while still offering every comfort - these include a free e-mail connection, satellite TV, a washing - machine, a dishwasher, and a large floodlit swimming pool (14x5m). Central solar heating has also been installed for the cooler months and warm solar water all year round. There is a sitting room, a rural kitchen, two bed rooms and a larger bath room. All has been newly renovated and luxuriously furnished down to the finest detail, and according to old Tuscan traditions. Villa Belvedere offers an ambience which is not easily forgotten. Terraces ornated with flowers, palms and pines surround the villa from the front to the back. The view from the terrace is very attractive indeed, and changes from day to day..
Casa Bellavista: The smaller of the two houses, Casa Bellavista, has also been newly renovated and is furnished in the same Tuscan style as its neighbour house. It provides all the same comforts found in Belcanto , offering accommodation for up to six people. The pool can be used by the persons of both houses. On the ground floor there is a large rural kitchen with an open fireplace and a bathroom. There are two bedrooms and a living room with a beautiful seaward view on the first floor. The views from the terrace are especially remarkable. Casa BellaVista also has a separate entrance under a pergola of grapes and kiwifruit. Naturally both objects can be rented together. High season € 1.350,00, April + May € 1.100,00, 16th October until end March € 800,00.
Monthly rent is possible for: November, December, January, February and March.
€ 1000,- for Bellavista.
€ 600,- for Belcanto
Belcanto: is an offering accommodation for up to six people. The pool can be used by the persons of both houses. On the ground floor there is a large rural kitchen with an open fireplace and a bathroom. There are two bedrooms and a living room with a beautiful seaward view on the first floor. The views from the terrace are especially remarkable. Casa Bellavista also has a separate entrance under a pergola of grapes and kiwifruit. Naturally both objects can be rented together. High season Euro 1.350,00, April + May € 1.100,00, 1th October until end March € 800,00.

Prices

Bed linens and towels are available at an extra cost of Euro 10,00 per person. Gas and electricity will be charged according to usage. General fee for infrastructure (water supply, pool maintenance, free internet access. etc.) is Euro 49,00 per week. This includes also cleaning before and after departure.

Prices per week	1.June - 30. September	April and May	1. October until 31.March
Casa Bellavista	850 Euro	680 Euro	500 Euro
Belcanto Flat	675 Euro	510 Euro	400 Euro

If you would like any further information regarding the Belvedere Country Estate, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Tel. +39- 050- 817220
Email: Mary.Ann.freitag@gmx.de

And what can one undertake?

Pool with panoramic view: From the pool, exclusively at your disposal, you have a wonderful panoramic view up to the sea and the islands. There is floodlight and solar heating for the months in between season. In March the water temperature is about 20°C, April 23°C, May 26°C, June/July/August up to 32°C, September 26°C, October 23°C and November 20°c. Our pool service attends for perfect water quality from March to November.
Natural paradise: Belvedere is a historical natural paradise, where one can really relax. And if you want to do something else than only relaxing, you have e.g. the following possibilities.
Large beaches: Many kilometers of beach are at your disposal from Forte dei Marmi, Viareggio and Pisa up to Livorno. The beaches to the north of Viareggio are maintained daily and most are equipped with deckchairs and have beach restaurants. The sandy beaches near San Giuliano Terme, along the coast of the pine forest between Migliarino - San Rossore, are all unspoilt, and can be reached from Belvedere by car in about 20 minutes. If you want to take a walk on the beach, drive to the coast at Migliarino. From here you can walk through the dunes, onto the beach, or through a pine tree forest, for hours in northern direction towards Viareggio or south to Marina di Pisa.
Inlets: Very beautiful and deeply clear is the water south of Livorno. This coastal area is dotted with many romantic cliffs and small inlets, which you can visit descending down the rocks (about 40 minutes by car from Belvedere).
Visit to Lucca: Take this unique round-walk of about 4,5 km length on the ancient city wall, under the plane-trees of Lucca. After that stroll along the lanes of the ancient city of Lucca with its medieval city called "intra muros", enjoying the southern lifestyle.
Cinque Terre: Enchanting walk on the "Via d'amore" through the vineyards, directly on the cliffs above the sea and after the walk a pleasant stop in an old trattoria in Riomaggiore or in Monterosso.
Garfagnana: Experience the Apennine Alps, scattered with lakes, mountain villages, chestnut forests, pasture huts, just like in the Alps. The local cuisine of this region is very typical: They use chestnut flour, salami and ham from boars, mushrooms and ewe's cheese.
Florence: Here the Renaissance started and the modern view of the world. For a visit you should plan a whole day.
San Gimignano: Town of good wine and impressive medieval towers. This town is a world cultural heritage.
Lericci and Portovenere: Real romantic, small mediterranean fishing villages situated at nice inlets. And after the beach, dining and wining in old ligurian "trattorias", having a fantastic view over the mediterranean sea and eating "trenette al pesto" or "muschole" accompanied by good wine from the region Cinque Terre.
Tarquinia: South of Grosseto. 2500 years old Etruscan tombs are waiting for your visit. From the wall paintings you can get an impression of how life was in their times. (A day trip).
Saturnia: After a visit to the Etruscan necropolis, enjoy a bath in the hot water springs which have been rushing through the rocks down to the valley since thousands of years.
Gorgona Island: This island, visible from Belvedere as a mountain in the sea, is situated in the Maritime National Park. You can visit the National park only with a guided tour, starting from Livorno.
Golfer's paradise: Ten wonderful courses, all within one hours drive from Villa Belvedere, making the manor the central point of a year round golf paradise.
Tasting of wine: Round Lucca and in the hills south of Pisa you can find real Tuscan wineries. Make an excursion and taste the wine in the "Fattoria Ucceliera" in Fuaglia or to the "Fattoria Colle Verde" near the famous "Villa Reale" not far from Lucca.
Tennis: In San Giuliano Terme, 3 km from Belvedere, you can find tennis courts open all year round. During the hot summer season the courts are open until midnight.
Courses: From November to March it is possible to hire a painting teacher and an Italian teacher.
Riding: In the surroundings there are several possibilities to take a ride on horse-back. You can even bring your own horse and other pets with you to Villa Belvedere.
Mushrooms: From Easter to Xmas you can find edible mushrooms, chanterelles and other kinds of mushrooms in the chestnut forest behind Belvedere. But these grow only when it rained enough.
Olive harvest: The harvest is from the beginning of November to midst of January. Even as a guest you are welcome to participate. In the evening, after a hard day's work, come with us to the "frantoio" (the "oil mill". This oil is "santo" = "holy" for the Tuscans and guarantees an eternal life. If you want, you can get this oil, cold pressed in the traditional manner, even in Munich. Just call us.
Hiking: You can have a walk on the ridge right above Belvedere - already Dante Alleghieri had a walk here. From January to Easter you can see the blooming heather. To the West the sea, to the East Lucca, to the South the Mount Serra (1000 m) and to the North the Apennine Alps (2150 m).
Mountain biking: Mountain bikers think that there are excellent routes round Belvedere. Our guests (mountain bikers) left detailed descriptions of the tours in the Villa Belvedere.

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