A short drive from Lucca, in the village of Vorno, amidst the lush, tree-covered hills which for centuries have been the source of Lucca's natural spring water, Villa Michaela became my home from home for a week.

I had a truly wonderful time there! Vanessa is a great host, the spacious grandeur of the villa won me over completely. The place has a vibrant life of its own, not a museum piece, and guests are welcomed most cordially. Large swimming pool, soft green lawns, shaded places in which to read and relax. Clean and well-kept rooms.

I work as a food journalist, so nearby Villa Lucia and its cookery school was of particular interest.

I needed to stay within easy reach of the major towns and cities of northern Tuscany, including Pisa and its airport, so Lucca was an ideal 'hub'. The ancient walled city of Lucca itself is one of my favorite places in Tuscany to visit - try the cecina (chickpea flour flatbread) and pizza margherita at the wood oven Pizzeria Sbragia on Via Fillungo, then stroll with an ice cream from any of the excellent gelaterias in town.

When a trip to China was cancelled at the 11th hour, I was in Italy I had to improvise at the 11th hour. Through a recommendation I arrived in Villa Michaela and was embraced by Vanessa, and fortunately for me her extended family, I arrived during her son's 19th birthday celebrations and the party continued from there. Villa Michaela became my base whilst my godchildren joined me, we explored Pisa on their arrival and then Lucca - 5 minutes from the house - and finally Florence before venturing further afield - always returning after a week or so and on each occasion we had such fun, from the local karaoke, something I thought I would never do - which was highly entertaining when up to 20 from the Villa participated! Dinners, which were delicious, could be 4 or 20 and on occasions were memorable in dining room with has 3 of the most spectacular chandeliers I have seen.
Villa Michaela is ideal for people who enjoy country weekend house parties in authentic period surroundings - perhaps not for those who like a sterile environment and expect International 5 star service. It certainly has my vote and my godchildren keep pestering me as to when they can return - with WiFi access and a Cinema room they considered it the best holiday they had ever had!

We stayed here for 5 nights during June 2010 and a fantastic time. Beautiful grounds, friendly, helpful and acknowlegeable staff, amazing food and has a lovely home away from home feeling. Our Hostess Vanessa was truely wonderful. Thank you for a wonderful holiday! We will defiinitely be comming back next summer.

I flew into Pisa airport and was met by a driver that took me to Villa Michaela, high on a hill in the most charming countryside of Tuscany. The Villa is a very old restored property that made me feel like I was a princess in a fairy tale. Long lunches by the pool, with the other guests, dinners at nearby Villa's also owned by the same proprietors. My room had an awesome view of the hillside covered in Olive Groves, and at night you could see this enormous Cross all lit up at the top of the hill over looking our village. Just a 2 minute walk outside the gates of the Villa is a sweet town of Vorno, with an old historic church, bridges and a stream with the cleanest water. I noticed that people drove up from around the area to fill their water bottles with the local spring water. I enjoyed the pampering of the staff, they shopped personally for me, and made me my meals. We ate in superb dining rooms with antique chandeliers and such old world charm. I never wanted to leave Tuscany or Villa Michaela. I made many friends here, and we often went out singing at the local Karaoke bar together called Bimotto's, which is literally a half a block down the street. I also liked how close it was to go to the ancient walled city of Lucca. I joined other guests in day road trips to Montepulciano, the wine country of Tuscany. Each day I was served the best Italian Champaigns called Proseco. It was the best. The pool at Villa Michaela was something I dove into every day, as it gets quite hot in Vorno in July. The night offered a cool evening breeze, but I enjoyed sleeping mid day in my air conditioned room, with a much needed nap. I think the whole area is very much like Napa Valley in Northern California, which is where I am from. Simply elegant. There is also a chapel at Villa Michaela that had interesting historical value. I enjoyed going in there and sitting on the marble floors and soaking up the energy. The staff was very helpful in helping me get the most out of my trip to Italy, by suggesting places to go and see. The restaurant recommendations were out of this world. I highly recommend Scampilio restaurant if you visit Villa Michaela. The only problem with my trip to Tuscany was the 10 pounds I gained from eating such amazing pasta dishes. I am smiling, remembering each and every bite! A million thanks to Villa Michaela's staff, they really personalized my visit and made this the dream vacation of a life time. I highly recommend staying here over a hotel any day of the week. It's private, and takes you back in time and makes you feel as if you lived in Tuscany a few hundred years ago.... only much much better. I know they didn't have the luxuries then that this Villa now offers. I will go back again in this life time, and take someone I love. It's a very romantic get away that is not easily forgotten. I will take the memories of my time here with me for a life time.

Pamela Bryant
from Los Angeles, California