Where Good Life meets Nature. From my Tuscan village and Lucca's timeless streets, I chase stories waiting to be told. 
Where Good Life meets Nature. From my Tuscan village and Lucca's timeless streets, I chase stories waiting to be told.
My affection for Lucca has spanned since childhood, a love that has only grown over time. Lucca, a city where the whispering winds of romance have always attracted me. The heart of the city, free from the intrusion of cars, is full of little shops, romantic restaurants, and charming terraces. Protected by her walls, Lucca emanates an aura of serenity that's simply unique.
And now, four decades down the road, serious corporate job, married, two children, fate has taken an unexpected turn, aligning itself with our dreams. The pandemic, in its strange twist, granted us the opportunity to alter our path. A house, long awaited and now carefully restored, in a “tranquil” village a short drive away from Lucca. In the hidden valley, our church traces its origins back to 11 BC, whispering tales of time gone by.
But the story doesn't end. Just beyond the borders of Lucca, a
petite dwelling has found its way into our possession. With
tender care, transformed it into a small loft, a haven of luxury,
destined to be shared with others who want to explore Lucca
and her surroundings.
There remains only one wish that resides within my heart —
that in this very place, where dreams have converged, we shall
etch the story of our lives as we journey through time.
When I look back on my very first time in Lucca, I can't actually recall much. I was merely six years old, on vacation with my parents in beautiful Italy, and my memories are mostly shaped by the stories I heard later on. Italy was our favorite holiday destination at the time, and for years, we traversed the country with our tent and boat as loyal companions.
But in 1988, at the age of fourteen, I returned to Lucca, and that's when my love affair with this city truly began. The completely walled city left a profound impression on me. What I remember most vividly are the bike rides atop the city wall, shaded by majestic trees, and the adventures we had cycling through the historic center.
More than ten years would pass before I found myself in Lucca once again. This time, I was a young man, accompanied by my future wife. She, too, fell head over heels for Lucca instantly, and we began dreaming about "someday." How wonderful it would be to grow old together in this enchanting city.
In the following years, we didn't spend much time in Italy or Lucca. We moved from the Netherlands to Belgium, had two children, both a busy job and spent nearly every summer vacation in Asia. But in this year, we finally began making plans to return to Italy.
The turning point came during a long summer vacation in Thailand when our children were no longer toddlers. Memories of Lucca resurfaced, and despite the beauty of Asia, Lucca remained firmly etched in our minds.
The idea of acquiring a second home in Italy started to take shape. We conducted extensive research on the internet: how it worked, what the costs were, what to watch out for, and, most importantly, the hunt for houses that were up for sale.
The moment finally arrived. We had selected over ten houses and scheduled appointments with real estate agents. During the Christmas and New Year's period, we took two weeks off to explore houses in the vicinity of Lucca in northern Tuscany.
Our choice ultimately fell on a small village house with breathtaking views, roughly forty minutes from Lucca. In 2019 and 2020, we completely renovated this house, modernizing everything while preserving much of its original charm
The house also came with an "old washroom" where the village used to do their laundry by hand. This washroom had fallen into disrepair, but we restored it to its former glory, transforming it into a modern kitchen and bathroom.
In 2022, we restored the old terraces surrounding the house to fully savor the splendid views. A central terrace for morning coffee, a side terrace with a barbecue for lunch and dinner, and a lower terrace in the shade of grapes for relaxation.
And now, in 2023, the idea arose to purchase a small pied-à-terre just outside the walls of Lucca. In August, we completed the purchase, and hopefully, we will commence renovations in October. This petite 50-square-meter house will eventually be available for rent so that others can experience the magic of Lucca, just as we have for years. Our love for this city continues to grow, and we can't wait to create more memories in the heart of Tuscany.
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