Tuscany - Podere Le Sensaie
The local area
Italy occupies a romantic place in the world's imagination. With its landscape of rolling green hills, hazy sunshine and whiling away long afternoons over good food and wine, it's Tuscany that encapsulates la dolce vita.
Set near the village of Lajatico, the 19th-century farmhouse, Pondere Le Sensaie, is one of our stunning luxury villas in Tuscany. Surrounded by olive groves and cypress trees, this rural gem will allow you to truly embrace the magic of the Italian countryside and culture.
The History of the Italian Village, Lajatico
The clearest historical influence in Lajatico is its Lombard heritage, but it's thought that the history of the village goes back far further than that. Archaeological discoveries such as urns and terracotta vases place the origins of Lajatico in the Etruscan Empire, before it became a Roman settlement. First mentioned in a written document in 891, Lajatico was owned by the powerful Pannocchieschi family before it was given to the Bishop of Volterra in 1161.
Having changed hands between the republic of Pisa, the Bishop of Volterra and eventually settling into the republic of Florence, Lajatico has had a busy history. The most notable event of recent times however is that the village is the birthplace of tenor Andrea Bocelli.
What to See and Do Around Lajatico in Tuscany
Being set in such beautiful and secluded surroundings, enjoying the quiet and tranquillity of our Italian luxury villa is one way to fill your days here in Tuscany. Leisurely wandering around the olive groves, taking a dip in the pool or heading out to Lajatico for lunch are all relaxing ways to fill your time in this Italian hideaway - but that's far from all there is to do.
If you like the idea of bringing home your own dinner, you can arrange a hunting permit through your concierge and try your hand at catching some of the local game. You could also head to the beach at Cecina, or for more lively days out, both Florence and Pisa are in easy reach. In these cities you can see the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa, the 13th century palace Pallazo Vecchio, and Siena Cathedral. San Gimignano and walled town of Volterra are also well worth a visit for both their fascinating history and stunning beauty.
Food and Drink in Tuscany
Tuscany has a well deserved reputation as a foodie's paradise, and as Italy's most ancient wine region, there's also plenty to please the most avid wine lover. Try the Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a Florentine T-bone steak, delicious olives oils that are grown, picked and pressed locally, and the Lardo di Colonnata, pork lard cured in marble and served as a starter.
The Experience
Ristorante Riserva Caccia La Vallata
La Vallata is a friendly, family-run restaurant in Lajatico, specialising in traditional...
La Locanda del Gallo
Advance Booking Required
A charming restaurant with a traditional menu accompanied by fine local wines. Beautiful views...
Da Carlo
A family friendly restaurant and pizzeria. The fish is especially recommended on Fridays when...
Ristorante La Locanda Delle Streghe
A family friendly restaurant with a very casual atmosphere and places to eat both indoors and...
Osteria del Ultimo Carbonaio
A family run restaurant situated in the tiny, picturesque village of Montegemoli. It...
Del Duca
Advance Booking Required
A fine dining restaurant in the heart of Volterra offering a selection of the finest wines in...
The Guarnacci Museum, Volterra
Founded in 1761, this is one of the earliest public museums in Europe. Mario Guarnacci,...
Duomo Santa Maria Assunta (Volterra Cathedral)
Consecrated in 1120 by Callistus II, Volterra Cathedral continued to grow in size throughout...
Amphitheatre, Volterra
With over 3000 years of history to its name, Volterra was long established before the Roman...
Palazzo Viti, Volterra
Throughout its history, the Palazzo Viti has been a source of inspiration for many and is...
Teatro del Silenzio
Advance Booking Required
As the villa is so incredibly close, it would be a shame to leave without seeing the Teatro...
Zoological museum, Capannoli
Housed in the former Palazzo Baiocchi, just a 15 minute drive from Le Sensaie, is the...
Pinocchio Museum
Famous as a home to Pinocchio, Collodi has an extensive theme park based around the wooden...
Acqua Village
Driving to the coast, a day of adventure at the Acqua Village in Cecina Mare is a good option...
San Ranieri/Luminaria Festival, Pisa
For a truly magical and illuminating night, head over to Pisa for the evening. In June (16th...
Cecina beach
The nearest beach is Cecina, around 37km away. Here you will find a series of 'bagni', which...
Pisa
There's much more to this fascinating city than a leaning tower, including the Campo dei...
Volterra
The walled town of Volterra sits on a hill between the River Era and River Cecina. Originally...
San Gimignano
In the 11th and 12th-centuries, affluent Italian families built towers to show off their...
Lajatico
Situated within the province of Pisa, this Tuscan village sits upon a hill overlooking the...
Florence
Slightly further afield, but well worth a visit, lies the regional capital of Tuscany -...
Siena
Surrounded by olive groves and the vineyards of Chianti, Siena is one of the most beautiful...
Peccioli
Peccioli is a small town so tourists can easily explore it on foot. The most important place...
Bolgheri
Bolgheri is a little village situated on the Tuscan coastline just south of Livorno, one of...
Golf Club Castelfalfi
Advance Booking Required
Tuscany has always been the ideal destination for golf lovers. Thanks to its mild climate you...
Hiking and walking
Advance Booking Required
Tuscany's gentle landscape offers some great hikes across beautiful rolling countryside. Or...
Cycling
You can explore the Tuscany countryside and villages on a bicycle. You can rent a bike and...
Horseriding
Advance Booking Required
Enter the Natural Reserve "Foresta di Berignone", crossing deep forests, wide valleys and...
Casciana Terme
Advance Booking Required
Rising through the earth at a temperature of 36°C, Casciana Terme's water has always been...
Grotta Giusti
Advance Booking Required
One of the most unique spas in Italy can be found in Monsummano Terme, close to the famous spa...
La Spa Il Castelfalfi
Advance Booking Required
A charming spa with a relaxing, uncluttered atmosphere. The decor is minimal and tasteful, in...
Walking Tour of Peccioli
I'd recommend the walking tour that we were told about by our local concierge around Peccioli...
Tenuta Torciano Wine Tasting
Advance Booking Required
An amazing experience for the wine lovers. The owner Luigi will take you on a tour of his...
Tenuta di Ghizzano – Estate and canteen
Advance Booking Required
Tenuta di Ghizzano is a beautiful estate which has produced world-class wine and olive oil for...
Cheese and Olive Oil Tasting
Advance Booking Required
Spend a day visiting a local farm specialized in the production of fully organic cheese. The...
Pasta Making Lari
Advance Booking Required
A visit to a family run pasta factory that exports its production around the world and you...
Shopping in Pontedera
Pontedera is the nearest town to Lajatico with some small boutiques and a number of high...
La Rosa shopping
Just 5km from Podere Le Sensaie, La Rosa has a huge discount shoe store called Bottega...
Prada Outlet (Space)
Prada retail outlet has a great selection of clothing, shoes and accessories with great...
Shopping in Florence
Advance Booking Required
Florence's answer to New York's Fifth Avenue is Via dei Tornabuoni where you will find...
The Mall Luxury Outlet
The Florence Mall outlet offers many luxury brands including Gucci, Armani, Fendi, Balenciaga,...
Osteria del Sole
Advance Booking Required
Best for: Pizza. A family run pizzeria/restaurant. The interior is art deco and the food very...
La Rocca di Castlefalfi
Advance Booking Required
Offers a traditional cuisine, based on meat and fish of the Mediterranean
Ristorante L'antico Molino
Advance Booking Required
Excellent rustic food with great service in a beautiful location and a real family feel gives...
Antinori nel Chianti Classico
Advance Booking Required
Architecturally innovative winery blending into the Tuscan hills, offering cellar tours &...
Rafting near Lucca
Advance Booking Required
If you love rafting you can't leave Tuscany without having experienced rafting in the green...
Tandem Paragliding near Lucca
Advance Booking Required
Experience the thrill of paragliding by flying tandem with pilots from the World Cup circuit...
Adventurous Quad Experience
Advance Booking Required
Meet the fantastic guide Antonio and follow him up and down the Tuscan hills, to off-road
Wine, Cheese & Olive Oil Full Day Tour
Advance Booking Required
This tour caters to those with limited time, providing a condensed yet enriching experience...
Livorno: Behind-the-Scenes Culinary Experience
Advance Booking Required
This tour is for those of you who want to go behind the scenes to learn the secrets of...
City Center & Artisan Workshop Tour
Advance Booking Required
One of the things that makes Florence so unique are the master artisans still working to...
Peccioli Paint and Palate
Advance Booking Required
Peccioli paint and palate offer you a tranquil spot for a memorable journey of relaxation,
Jewellery classes in Lajatico
Advance Booking Required
The most fascinating practical art you can experience during your holidays in Tuscany: a class...
Pisa by Night
Advance Booking Required
Visited by countless travel groups during the day, Pisa is transformed at night into a...
Experience the Magic of Tuscany from a Hot Air Balloon
Advance Booking Required
Get a bird's-eye view of the Tuscan countryside on this hot air balloon flight. Departing...
