WELCOME TO il Luppolo Nero

Originally built in the late 1400s and nestled in an acre of olive trees, with a sweeping view of the Mediterranean Sea, il Luppolo Nero is a three-story stone farmhouse, featuring three beautiful master bedroom suites, each with its own private terrazzo with spectacular views. Located in the soft hills of Tuscany, il Luppolo Nero overlooks Tuscany's largest and most exciting seaside resort, Viareggio, the evocative Lake Massaciuccoli, the picturesque and convenient town of Massarosa, and the surrounding foothills which lead north to the vast marble caves of Cararra and dramatic scenery of the Apuan Alps and south, past the fields of sunflowers, to the cities of Pisa and Livorno.

Every window in the house allows for magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. Looking west to the Mediterranean, one sees the islands of Corsica, Elba, Gorgona and Capraia. To the south lies Lake Massaciuccoli and beyond the lake, in the distance, you can see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Further south is the port city of Livorno, with the constant comings and goings of the major cruise ships, the nearest port to Florence, Pisa and Lucca. To the east is the village of Pieve a Elici, with its most famous structure, the 11th century Romanesque church San Pantaleone. To the north are acres of olive groves in the surrounding hills. You only need to move from one window to the next to experience the changing light and colors that have inspired Italian artists throughout the centuries.

Our guests can enjoy beautiful dawns followed by morning sunshine that lasts until the early evening, because of il Luppolo Nero's southern exposure. Every so often, in the distant wetlands near Lake Massaciuccoli, you will see trains that run from Florence or Pisa to Viareggio reminiscent of a miniature Lionel train moving through the landscape. At dusk the romantic sunsets over the Mediterranean give way to warm evenings, midnight blue skies dotted with stars, and the sparkling city lights of Massarosa, Pisa, Viareggio and Livorno. And in the background you will be serenaded by the soft bells of San Pantaleone reminding you that the hours are passing... but slowly, leaving a frenetic world behind and allowing a different rhythm to engulf you.

il Luppolo Nero is perfect as a base from which to venture out and explore the many attractions for which Tuscany is famous. The house is ideally located only a 15 minute drive to the seashore in Viareggio or Forte dei Marmi. The medieval walled city of Lucca is 20 minutes away; the marble caves of Cararra, located in the dramatic Apuan Alps, is a 25 minute drive. Pisa (and the main airport serving Tuscany) is 30 minutes from the house. And it is an hour's drive (or an easy train ride) to Florence.

il Luppolo Nero is within easy daytrips to Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Vinci, Volterra, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Pienza, Pietrasanta, Forte dei Marmi, the island of Elba, the unspoiled and beautiful districts of the Garfagnana and the Lunigiana and almost all of the major attractions of Tuscany. Il Luppolo Nero is also very conveniently located for those wishing to visit the Cinque Terre, Portovenere, Portofino, Rapallo and Santa Margherita and the lesser-known but equally beautiful Ligurian seaside villages north of Tuscany.

In order to get a sense of living in Tuscany, we often suggest to our guests to alternate days of touring and site-seeing with days of relaxing and enjoying the resort-like ambience of our property. Besides going to local markets, enjoying the many historic and beautiful trails that lead you through nature paths and hillside villages, experiencing shopping in Lucca or strolling the passeggiata (boardwalk) in Viareggio, you can simply stay on the property and enjoy the beautiful swimming pool with its built-in Jacuzzi; sit under the pergola covered with wisteria and roses in the BBQ area; or enjoy a massage under a pergola of grapes and kiwis. Il Luppolo Nero is filled with "areas of enchantment" where you can go off by yourself with a book in hand or simply relax, looking out at the sea and letting the breezes complete your sense of calm and tranquility.