Beautifully Restored Village House in a Tranquil Hillside Hamlet Amongst Olive Groves
Less Than 1 Hour From Lucca, Florence and Pisa
Sleeps 5 (2 Bedrooms)
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The house is reached by climbing a short flight of steps from the foot of the village up to the front door. Cool outer hall, spacious 30 square metre living room with wood burning stove for autumn and early spring visitors. You will find a CD player, an interesting selection of music, board games and an eclectic selection of books, maps and notes for visitors. Original terracotta floor. Fully equipped kitchen. The dining room is two steps down from the kitchen, from which french doors open onto the terrace, which is also accessible from the living room. The terrace is equipped both for dining and for simple relaxation! The upper level is reached by a flight of stairs. The master bedroom has a king sized double bed and the second bedroom has twin beds. There is also a folding bed. All bedding and towels are provided. The bathroom has a bath, shower, bidet, lavatory and handbasin. Unfortunately, due to the stairs, this house is not suitable for less mobile visitors.
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| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 1 January 2011 - 31 December 2011 | £590 | 7 |
Notes on prices
Prices are for the property per week in UK Pounds.
Changeover day
Change-over day is Saturday. We ask you not to arrive before 15.00 local time, so that Giorgetta may clean the house and prepare it for your arrival. On the day of your departure, please ensure that you leave the house by 10.00 local time.
Accommodation
| Bedrooms: | 2 bedrooms on the upper floor, both with spectacular beamed chestnut ceilings, terracotta floors and windows opening onto the wonderful view over the valley and hills beyond. Bedroom 1: kingsize double bed. Bedroom 2: twin beds. Additional folding bed. |
| Bathrooms: | The bathroom is on the upper floor and is fully equipped with bath, shower, wc, bidet and handbasin, and has an attractive coloured glass window. |
| Kitchen: | The kitchen is on the ground floor, leading to a separate indoor dining area. There is a table, together with 4 chairs upon which to sit round it, a full range of crockery, cutlery and glassware, stove, oven, microwave, fridge and cooking utensils. |
| Utility Room: | The entrance rooms double as utility rooms, with a washing machine, an ironing board and an iron. |
| Living Rooms: | The spacious spitting room, two steps down from the entrance rooms, has a sofa and two armchairs disposed around a fireplace in which sits a wood burning stove. A stone archway leads to the kitchen and there are French doors leading onto the terrace. |
| Cleaning/towels/ linen/maid service: |
Bedding, towels and linen are included. Towels and linen are changed once a week, when the house is cleaned each Saturday. |
| Amenities/Facilities: | hob/stove oven fridge microwave washing machine iron/ironing board |
| Suitability: | pets accepted |
| Location Type: |
Notes on accommodation
On Sunday morning at 10am you will have a brief courtesy visit from Anna Galli, who will do her best to ensure that all is in order for your stay. Anna will be available by telephone throughout your stay should you require any help or information.
Accessibility
Unfortunately, due to the stairs both in and outside the house, this house is not suitable for those who are less mobile.
Outside
The terrace is wide and airy, and has a stunning view over the valley and the hills above it. There is another dining table and more chairs so that, if you wish, you may dine al fresco. There is also a recliner, perfect for relaxing, reading, thinking or just dozing...
Coast/Beach
Il Mare (as Italians call it) is only half an hour to 45 minutes away by car. You will be spoilt for choice, as Tuscany's long sandy coastline is littered with traditional Italian beaches (note that most of these are "bagni" where you pay a daily entrance fee and are provided with sunloungers, an umbrella, and your own patch of sand for the day). Try Viareggio, or else Forte dei Marmi for a more jetset crowd. Portofino, which is a jewel of a town in a rocky cove, is about two hours away.
Skiing
In winter there is skiing at Abetone, up in the Apennines. Abetone is Tuscany's major ski resort and has over 20km of runs. You can rent equipment at the resort itself. Most runs are suitable for beginners and basic level skiers; these are rated blue (easy). There are also some red (intermediate level) runs for those who want a little more excitement.
Travel
The house is about 50 minutes' drive from Pisa (Galileo Galilei) international airport, which is served by Ryanair, British Airways and Easyjet. You may also fly to Florence from London on Meridiana - again, the drive to the house will be around 50 minutes. A car is essential for you to get to Castello (although you can get to Valdottavo by train) so we recommend that you make advance arrangements to hire a car at the airport.
Distances
Distances by car:
Lucca: 20 minutes.
Pisa/Viareggio: 45/50 minutes.
Florence: 50 minutes.
Barga: 35 minutes.
Bagni di Lucca: 20 minutes.
Siena: 2 hours.
Pistoia: 45 minutes.
Perugia: 2 1/2 hours.
San Gimignano: 1 hour 45 minutes.
Fiesole: 1 hour 20 minutes.
Portofino: 2 hours.
Milan: 3 hours.
Orvieto: 3 hours.
Further details
Castello is so peaceful that there are no shops, but the bars and shops (and theatre!) of Valdottavo are either a short 20 minute stroll down the mule path (and a reasonable half hour climb back in the opposite direction) or a short drive away. Do note that the road from Valdottavo to Castello, whilst not alpine, is narrow and winding, with passing places. The locals negotiate this with aplomb, including the school bus which goes up and down twice a day, and tend to be considerate to visitors. Valdottavo's shops include a butcher, grocer and post office.
We recommend that you do your main shop on your way to the house from the airport at Esselunga, which is a large supermarket half way between Lucca and Valdottavo. This sells everything that you need, so that you can ensure that you do not wake up on Sunday to find all the local shops closed.
There are many good and inexpensive restaurants in the valleys around Castello, as well as more sophisticated options in Lucca and beyond, and there is a comprehensive set of visitors' notes on the house setting out details both of these and of walks around the immediate local area.
Castello is at the feet of the Garfagnana, a national park which includes the famous marble mountains, from which so many extraordinary works of art were created. There are many opportunities for walking, mountain biking and exploring. You are within easy driving distance of Lucca, which is a charming town on what once was the border between "Rome" and "the barbarians", and with Italy's impressive network of motorways, you are within visiting distance of Florence, Pistoia, Portofino and even, further afield, Orvieto. You may also wish to visit Torre del Lago, where in summer there is opera in the open air at Puccini's former home - and Lucca itself has a splendid theatre and opera house - Il Teatro del Giglio. You can explore either the mountains or the coast, depending on which direction you choose to follow!
Booking notes
We ask for a non-refundable deposit of 25% of the total rent for your holiday, with the balance payable no later than 8 weeks before the date on which your holiday begins. Linen and towels are included in the weekly charge, as are electricity, gas, water and wood for the stove when seasonally appropriate. There is no extra charge for well behaved pets. The weekly rent is a total amount, payable regardless of the number of people staying.
Guest comments
"Each morning I rush to the bedroom window, drape myself over the sill, and must pinch myself to make sure I am actually awake..."
"The fragrance of chestnut wood burning in the fireplace and the gentle tolling of old tower bells: fond memories..."
"The beautiful walled city of Lucca, its architecture and serene colour. Evenings at home in Castello listening to the church bells and village life far below in the valley..."
"I find it profoundly meaningful that our 19 month old son learned, and spoke for the first time, the words: View; Church; and Bell; all from your terrazza. I am also not ashamed to admit that my wife and I polished off no fewer than eleven bottles of lovely Tuscan reds whilst here for a week..."
"We never tired of watching the sun go down behind those fantastic peaks, and the light gradually fading in the valley below. What an utterly beautiful house..."
"We have been truly enchanted by Castello and could not have wished for a more romantic honeymoon."
For booking and further information
Property Ref IT2879
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