Autumn around Lucca, from a villa in the hills

When the summer crowds leave, the hills around Lucca turn to their real work. Olives are picked by hand on the terraces, the frantoi press the new oil, and chestnuts from the Garfagnana appear in the city's shops as flour, soups and sweet castagnaccio. Inside the Renaissance walls, the tree lined ramparts become a quiet promenade in the low gold light.

The houses below suit a slower season. There is a 17th century villa whose walled formal gardens were recreated from the 1600s, an 18th century estate of stone and red brick with terraces over the valley, and a historic property whose 16 hectares of walled gardens, usually open as a museum, are reserved for your group alone. Evenings belong to the fireplace and a bottle of Colline Lucchesi.

At a glance

• 41 private villas
• From 1 to 16 bedrooms
• Up to 32 guests in one villa
• 38 with a private pool
• 13 with a cook or staff
• Availability and price on request, reply within one working day