Casa di Garfagnana, Toscana - Tuscany - Italian Villa Vacations

Casa di Garfagnana is situated on one acre of land on a hillside overlooking the ruins of a tenth century fortress. At the bottom of the hill, just 6 minutes away, is the bustling township of Piazza al Serchio. The main town in the valley is Castlenuovo di Garfagnana which is about 20 minutes away.
The villa is fully equipped with hydronic heating for year-round comfort, and a large open fireplace. There are three rooms with queen beds (one on the ground floor), two with twin beds and a cot for young guests.  There is a fully-tiled bathroom on each level and a laundry in the basement. The kitchen, with its Paul Bocuse double oven is ideal for creating culinary delights from the wonderful produce available in the local markets.  It adjoins the dining room and the living room, and for the adventurous chefs who embrace the concept of not only slow food but slow cooking there is an old wood oven outside its door.  There is a paved terrace at ground level with stairs up to the large terrace which is also accessed from two bedrooms.

Furnishings have been bought to maintain the country feel with, for example, typical Tuscan wicker-seated chairs and nice comfortable sofas.  The dining table opens out to seat at least a dozen of your friends and there is crockery, cutlery and glassware to feel the proverbial five thousand.  Plentiful supplies of freshly-ironed sheets and towels are stored in the linen area whilst blankets and doonas are upstairs in a large wooden blanket box.
The studio-apartment created in the old barn is open plan apart from the fully-tiled bathroom/laundry.  It has a partial mezzanine with wrought iron railings up the stairs and around the sleeping areas where there is a queen bed and two singles.  Downstairs stainless steel structures support a 250 kilo piece of Carrara marble to serve as the kitchen bench.  A gas stove, stainless steel fridge, and shelving complete the kitchen.  There is a dining table and chairs for eight, two comfortable sofas, one of which converts into a queen bed for occasional visitors.  An outside terrace with furniture is adjacent to a prolific fig tree and the small orchard. It is only available for summer rentals.
Both spaces have good sound systems, television, satellite TV, classical CD collections, there are almost 400 books covering a wide range of subjects and a selection of games for your enjoyment.  Jigsaws, books and toys for young children have been donated by our now adult Hugo.
The house is managed by an English speaking couple that live in the adjacent house who will help make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

THE REGION

The Garfagnana, isolated in its alpine silence, and surrounded by the bare summits of the Apuan Alps and the Apennines of Tuscany and Emilia Romano, with villages nestling in curves sculptured by winter torrents, is almost like a place in time-warp.  A picturesque region with a mixture of charming ancient towns, hilltop castles and breathtaking views across the hills and valleys it has no motorway traversing the one hundred kilometres between Lucca to Aulla.  One either means to go there or not.  Thankfully it has avoided the crush of southern Tuscany in the tourist season and the towns and tiny villages, grouped into 15 municipalities, survive without a proliferation of souvenir shops.  Unadorned folklore and local cuisine are some of the timeless qualities of this beautiful area.  Every tiny hamlet has something to offer, not specifically major works of art or ancient treasures, but more the ability to participate in a village life that is local and real.  The hills are heavily wooded with Chestnut trees beneath which can be found a proliferation of funghi throughout much of the year.  The bumper chestnut harvest in 1944 saved the lives of many of the region’s inhabitants who ate little else for many months.  Most of the locals are engaged in farming activities, often using traditional implements such as the scythe.  Market days are a time to visit the nearby towns to buy fresh produce and stylish clothes at ridiculous prices. Local restaurants offer superb fare at prices that make eating out a dream.

The location
Casa di Garfagnana is situated about 65 kilometres north of the elegant walled city of Lucca, gateway to the Garfagnana. The village is around 800 metres above sea level which makes both villa and barn ideal even for the warmest months of summer.

The property is about 30 kilometres inland from the marble town of Carrara near the coast, and below La Spezia.  Carrara is situated in the Apuan Alps which separate our valley from the Versillian Coastline.

Pisa is 90 kilometres away, Florence is 1½ to 2 hours north, 3 hours from Milano and a 5 hours drive from Rome and Venice. 

Pricing

* Prices are quoted in Euros and calculated according to the CBA selling rate. Prices are subject to change in AUD due to currency flucuations. (Currency converter)

Pricing Notes

Heating and final cleaning are included in the cost of the rental.

Availability upon request.