*** Located in the small village of Gattaiola on the outskirts of the Tuscan Renaissance walled city of Lucca, the birthplace of Puccini 
 
Although situated amidst the lush green Colline Lucchesi (Lucca hills), La Gattaiola is only a stone’s throw from the centre of the city, having every amenity to hand such as small local food and wine shops, supermarkets, bars and restaurants as Lucca is only 3km or a 5 minute drive away (7 minutes by bike!). 
 
La Gattaiola offers the best of all worlds: proximity to the city and all its amenities combined with being located within an oasis in the verdant countryside in which to relax and recharge. La Gattaiola is set amongst olive groves & vineyards with far reaching views from the Florentine hills, the towered city of Lucca, the Apuane Alps and to the Carrara marble mountains  
 
There's something for everyone here with art and culture on the doorstep and to delight photographers and artists alike or if you prefer  
 
take the spa waters at the numerous local thermal baths 
antique markets  
gastronomic & wine tours and routes 
designer outlet shopping 
summer pop concerts (July 2007 George Michael, Elton John, Norah Jones, Joss Stone, Steely Dan Ricky Martin, John Legend, Elisa) 
Torre del Lago where the annual summer Puccini Opera Festival is held (30 mins) 
camellia and azalea festivals 
flower markets  
Carnival at Viareggio (30 mins) 
or even organised house buying trips 
Other activities include  
cycling  
tennis (5 mins) 
horse-riding  
golf (3 beautiful and Important golf courses (all within 30 mins driving distance) 
sailing 
walking  
trekking 
beaches (30 min) 
Skiing at Abetone - the most important ski centre in central Italy (40 min) 
La Gattaiola's accessibility to motorway links also makes it perfect as a base for touring the rest of Tuscany with other main art towns and cultural centres such as 
Pisa (20 minutes) 
Florence (45 minutes)  
Chianti, Siena and San Gimignano - easy day excursion distance