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SoricoLuce in Tuscany: Design Holiday Homes with History

A holiday in a restored church and medieval villa above Pescia

Just imagine: you wake up in a church that was built more than 1,100 years ago, looking out over the rolling woods and olive groves of northern Tuscany. This is no dream – this is Villa SoricoLuce.

Above the picturesque town of Pescia, between Florence, Pisa and Lucca, this extraordinary holiday villa overlooks one of the most beautiful parts of Tuscany. Not an impersonal resort, but a cluster of three carefully restored houses full of history, soul and thoughtful design – the ideal place for families and friends who want to travel together without giving up their privacy.

SoricoLuce: Where history becomes a home

The story of the estate is as fascinating as its architecture. The hosts recognised the potential of a former church, a farmhouse and a barn. Today, this historic heritage has been lovingly transformed into a modern holiday paradise without losing any of its authenticity.

The heart of the estate is the impressive Chiesa, originally built in 860 and fully renovated into a beautiful holiday home. With its little curved staircases and high ceilings, it keeps the charm of a real Tuscan church, while the interior has been turned into cosy accommodation.

There are also two more houses: the spacious La Casa, with room for up to seven people, and the romantic Il Fienile, ideal for couples or small families. It's a concept that works perfectly for you, whether you want to holiday together as a big family, travel with friends' families or simply enjoy more peace and quiet.

The three houses of SoricoLuce

La Casa – the main house

The main house sits right next to the historic church and sleeps up to seven people. With three bedrooms and three bathrooms (two en suite), it is perfect for a big family or two families travelling together.

What makes it special: the layout is designed for both time together and private retreats. The well-equipped kitchen invites you to cook together. The cosy living area with its sofa corner becomes the centre of your holiday days.

And then there's the viewing terrace: it is absolutely legendary. Furnished with lounge furniture, it offers a dreamy view over Pescia, Montecarlo and the rolling Tuscan landscape. This is dolce vita: the sun slowly sets, the crickets chirp in the olive trees, the children play on the large grounds, and you enjoy an aperitivo.

La Casa also has a second private terrace right outside the kitchen, where you can all eat together at a large table under one roof.

La Chiesa – the church adventure

How special is it to stay overnight in a real church? The house sleeps three to four people and captivates with its incomparable character.

On the ground floor, a cosy dining room with an extra breakfast nook awaits you. The large kitchen is practically furnished and has a lovely view of the greenery. The 80m² living room has a large seating area and underfloor heating, and on cooler days it becomes the heart of things for large groups.

An elegant spiral staircase leads up to the two bedrooms on the upper floor, each with its own small en-suite bathroom. Little details such as the original stone walls and the high vaulted ceilings continue to tell the story of this church. For your children, this place becomes a real adventure.

La Chiesa also has its own infinity terrace with two sun loungers, a dining table and a beautiful view down the valley over Pescia and Montecarlo.

Shared by all: the large viewing terrace under mulberry trees, with a big dining table, a grill and far-reaching views. The pool with pool bar, the pizza house with its terrace and dining area, and the Mediterranean garden – all of it is yours to enjoy too.

Il Fienile – the romantic hideaway

Sometimes all you need is a place for two. Il Fienile is the smallest and cosiest house on the estate, a restored former hay barn that now shines as a romantic holiday home.

Compact but cleverly laid out: a small kitchen on the ground floor, a dining area and a sitting area, a bright bedroom with a double bed and en-suite bathroom upstairs, and two full-size wall beds for children on the ground floor.

The private terrace with sweeping views over the hills is the perfect spot for a coffee or the sunset. The interior combines clean lines with warm Tuscan materials and modern comfort details.

Here too: access to the pool, garden and viewing terrace with BBQ for all guests.

The shared facilities – togetherness with privacy

What makes SoricoLuce special is its concept: three separate houses, one beautiful estate.

The Mediterranean garden with old olive and fruit trees is fenced and belongs to all guests. The large pool (12 × 6 m) sits on the lower part of the grounds, with sun loungers, an outdoor sofa and a cosy pool bar.

The whole estate stretches across generous grounds with various terraces, fruit trees and spots to relax – ideal when families travel together but each needs its own four walls.

Location: close to everything, far from the tourist crowds

Pescia is a real Italian small town, not the overrun Tuscany of mass tourism. With around 9,000 inhabitants, it has kept what makes Tuscany so special: old piazzas, small restaurants, local markets, history.

Distances from Villa SoricoLuce:

Pescia centre: less than 10 minutes by car
Montecarlo (wine village, beautiful): 15 minutes
Lucca (medieval town with city walls): 30 minutes
Florence: approx. 60 minutes
Pisa: approx. 50 minutes

A car is recommended, as the estate is in a rural, elevated location – but that is also the whole point. After an exciting day out, this is the place to breathe deeply and experience Tuscany up close.

Activities around Villa SoricoLuce – Tuscany itself becomes the adventure

For families who want to experience everyday Tuscan life, the area around Pescia and Montecarlo is ideal. Here are the top activities:

🎪 Parco di Pinocchio (Collodi)

The absolute highlight for children: the Pinocchio Park in Collodi, just 20 minutes away. New in the park: Pinocchio Adventure, two exciting trails for little explorers. For children aged 4 to 12, it's a real must.

🌳 Villa Torrigiani and its Baroque gardens

Not far away you'll find one of the most beautiful villas in the region: Villa Torrigiani with its dreamy Baroque gardens – perfect for culture-loving families and absolutely child-friendly.

🍇 Wineries and wine tasting in Montecarlo

Montecarlo is world-famous for its Montecarlo DOC. The highlight comes at harvest time (first week of September), when a big wine festival takes place in Montecarlo. The kids can snack on grapes while you taste the best local wines.

🌊 Market day in Pescia

Every Saturday, a large weekly market is held on the piazza. This is where real Italians shop – fresh vegetables, fruit, cheese, bread. A genuine cultural experience!

🌄 Day trips to bigger destinations

Bigger destinations are also easy to reach from SoricoLuce:

Florence: one hour's drive – the Uffizi, the Ponte Vecchio, the medieval old town
Lucca: 30 minutes – a medieval town with fully preserved city walls
San Gimignano and other famous Tuscan villages are well worth a day trip

SoricoLuce at a glance:

Amenities & services

✅ Fully equipped kitchens in every house, with high-quality appliances
✅ Large shared pool (12 × 6 m) – May to September
✅ Private garden with olive and fruit trees
✅ Pizza oven on the viewing terrace – Friday is traditionally pizza night
✅ Outdoor sofa and pool bar for relaxed afternoons
✅ Wi-Fi in all houses
✅ Parking right on the property

Best time to visit Tuscany:

April to June: spring in Tuscany – flowers in bloom, pleasant temperatures, fewer tourists than in summer
September to October: autumn – grape harvest, pleasant temperatures, the light at its most beautiful
July to August: high summer – very warm, perfect pool weather, lots of events
Winter: mild in Tuscany, fewer tourists

Getting there

By car: via the motorway to the Lucca/Pescia area. A satnav is very helpful. Parking on the property.
By train: Pescia or Montecarlo station, then a taxi or hire car from there
By plane: via Florence (approx. 1 hour away) or Pisa (approx. 1 hour) – the nearest international airports

FAQ – frequently asked questions about SoricoLuce

Is the villa suitable for young children?

Yes, absolutely! The estate is very family-friendly. The garden is large and securely fenced. For very young babies, you can ask when booking whether cots, high chairs or other baby equipment can be arranged.

Do we all have to stay as one family, or can we rent the houses separately?

Both are possible! SoricoLuce's concept lets you rent the three houses individually or book them together when two or three families who are friends go on holiday together.

Is a car necessary?

Yes, highly recommended. The villa is in a rural location. With a car, you're free to go on excursions, go shopping and explore the area.

What about food?

The houses have fully equipped kitchens, and the market in Pescia as well as small shops nearby sell regional produce. Self-catering is the concept here. That said, Pescia has lots of restaurants, from pizza to fine dining, all open year-round.

How long should you stay?

At least one week makes sense to really settle in and explore the area. For anyone planning a road trip, shorter stays are also possible.

Are there offers for groups?

Yes! When three families come together and book all three houses, there are often group discounts. That makes sense both for the price and for the organisation – just ask when you book!

Visit SoricoLuce

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Anika

has been traveling the world with her family since 2017. On kidswelltraveled, she shares handpicked accommodations, travel guides, and experiences related to modern family travel.

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