People | 8 |
Bedrooms | 3 |
Bathrooms | 3 |
Separate WC's | 1 |
Property type | farmhouse |
Minimum Stay | 0 - 7 nights |
The property has been renovated to a high standard with great care taken to preserve all original features. Completely private, the house has beautiful views from all rooms with french doors leading outside from all bedrooms and dining room. In addition to the land and terraces outside the house there are two other terraces leading from the first floor of the house suitable for dining alfresco. The house is situated in the Garfagnana overlooking the Apuane mountains an area of outstanding and Natural beauty. The two closest vibrant towns are Castelnuovo the walking centre of the area and Barga, [already famous for its Jazz club, jazz festivals, opera house and local artists] is increasingly becoming popular as a gourmet dining destination. Whether your passion is culture, food, wine, walking, cycling music or simply the sun come and immerse yourself in the magic that is Tuscany. The house also enjoys unlimited WiFi.
We are Geran & Vince
After living frantically busy lives in London and loving it- rather like being on a train, you see everything but not enough time to enjoy anything, we decided to move to Tuscany...
We first renovated our house eleven years ago and more recently La Capanna which started off as a barn on a hillside where the view captured us, a bit like life in Tuscany, and threatens never to let us go!
We both spent many years in the hospitality industry and it is our aim now to make your holiday as beautiful a memory as possible. We delight in happiness!
Geran Blair purchased this farmhouse in 2008
We love the area because we think it is like toytown everyone acts like you hope they would.
The view from the property is captivating, many people come with an agenda of things to do, and find they cannot tear themselves away.
At the property you enjoy the feeling of freedom, no near properties, a view to make you feel on top of the world a perfect place to relax and reflect on enjoyment and peace rather than the stresses of everyday life.
There are many wonderful places in the world to stay and we do not normally return to the same place but in the case of La Capanna we will make an exception.
Clean and lovely setting. Geran was very helpful too. Will recommend!
A lovely and very warm welcome by Geran on arrival, even though we arrived much later into the evening than expected; we also really appreciated the provisions (including a nice cold bottle of wine!) to get us going.
The property is extremely well designed, perfectly and appointed, including ensuites with showers in every bedroom. We loved the large amount of cool and comfortable space including the multiple outside areas to sit or eat, in or out of the sun ..... not to mention the fabulous and well maintained pool.
The location was ideal for our holiday - it's very close to good amenities, lovely towns and villages and even though we had a rental (essential) direct and regular (and cheap) rail services to all the major centres; we parked the car free at nearby stations and enjoyed completely hassle free (air conditioned) travel without any parking problems at the other end.
Eating lovely food and enjoying all the classic Italian treats is easy and one is really spoilt for choice, especially when kindly provided with top local recommendations by Geran.
Now, the views - simply fantastic - it was easy to spend hours simply soaking it up and enjoying the constantly changing light, colours, sounds and wildlife (large deer and boar) - the farmhouse is completely secluded so it feels as if the view is all yours.
All-in-all, we had a fabulous and relaxing holiday in a lovely location, fab property lovingly restored and cared for by a helpful, warm and lovely owner.
Thanks Geran
The Gibbins family x
A check in the dictionary showed that La Capanna translates as “The Hut.” Well this was anything but. A spacious, comfortable cottage with every amenity provided was what we enjoyed. The first drive up to the cottage was a little hair-raising but as our generous host Geran pointed out “you soon get used to it” and we did!
The views were tremendous, the pool a welcome respite from the Tuscan sun, the Prosecco an absolute must to complete halcyon days. Geran’s home made-bread a treat relished by everyone.
We cannot recommend this ‘hut’ too highly. A place of quiet, solitude and comfort in which to relax, except on Sundays when the church bells ring from morn to dusk, but when an extra dose of Prosecco is the ideal antidote.
A beautiful cottage in peaceful northern Tuscany. The cottage is to a very high standard, is well equipped and very comfortable with everything that you will need for you holiday supplied.
The pool is a wonderful retreat to beat the heat and there are plenty of outdoor areas to enjoy the wonderful views.
There are numerous excellent restaurants in Barga which is a short drive away, and a supermarket not far away which also sells excellent gelato! The drive to the cottage is a little scary the first time you do it but easily negotiable.
Highly recommend. Friendly and welcoming hosts. My husband would move there tomorrow if he could!
After winding our way up the road with some hairpin bends we arrived at La Capana. We managed the rather steep drive to the charming country house and were greeted by kind friends of the owner. After we settled in we found freshly made bread and homemade biscuits. The bedrooms with ensuites were spacious, clean and comfortable facing gorgeous views over the valley with snow capped mountains in the distance. Apart from one morning it was a bit cold for swimming but we basked on the sunny terrace instead. At night we enjoyed the log fire. My sister attempted Italian with a friendly farm worker while my brother-in-law was trying to find words in the dictionary and doing mad signing. The Italian sold us some wine and complimented me on looking a year younger than I am (classified retirement age) that I found very funny. We walked to the top of the hill to Trepignana picking wild herbs growing by the road on the way home. The owners have gone to a lot of trouble with the garden as well as lots of little touches such as straw hats, folding chairs and table for the terraces and well equipped kitchen - not over the top but quite adequate for the guests' needs. Loved being there and thoroughly recommend it. Value for money as well.
A lovely 3 bedroom cottage, all bedrooms en suite, good bathrooms and comfortable beds. Well equipped kitchen and dining area. Superbly comfortable lounge with fireplace. It was cold in early May so we had fires in the evening. Cosy. The area in gastronomically great with many good restaurants within easy striking distance. Also some nice walks - be prepared for hills. A wonderful week's break, thanks Geran.
Special interest holidays:
We book on request organised walking holidays, painting classes, cookery classes, pilates classes, aromatherapy, reflexology and massage treatments.
Any help or advice needed to enhance your holiday.
Cycle rental
Coast/Beach:
Nearest Coast Marina Vechianna 1hr 40 mins drive.
Travel:
Car hire is essential the house is set in a rural setting.
By car.
Nearest Airport Pisa.
Pisa 1hr 30 mins.
Florence 1hr 45 mins.
Distances:
Lucca 50 mins
Barga 20 mins
Castelnuovo 15 mins
Nearest village Riana 3 mins bar and shop
From house to main road 7 mins
Further Details:
Nearest shop/ Bar is 3 minutes by car
The local restaurant is 7 minutes away run by Claudio an English speaking chef.
Main shopping area is Castelnuovo market day is Thursday.
Main Supermarket Is Le Clerc situated in Gallicano 15 minutes away.
Barga is a must visit destination it has 5 good restaurants inside the medieval walls and a further 6 at least in the newer part of town.
The jazz festival in Barga is in July and August and the opera festival is in August.
Lucca is a wonderful city surrounded by walls large enough to hire bikes and cycle around the ramparts.
Much parking on the outside of the walls market day Saturday, during July/August there is a music festival held in the Piazza Napoleone with world famous names previously starring Eric Clapton/ Elton John/Alicia Keys/ Norah Jones/ Leonard Cohen.
The Torre Del Lago 1hr 50 mins has an opera Festival in an open air theatre overlooking the lake at Puccinis birthplace during July/August.
Horse Riding available near by
Grotto del Vento wind caves guided tours 50 minutes drive
Rental Period | Minimum Price | Additional Nights | Weekend Night | Weekly | Monthly | Event Price | |||
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low
2 Jan 2018 -
25 May 2018
7 night minimum stay
|
£1,139
for 7 nights
|
|
£1,139
|
|
|
||||
mid
26 May 2018 -
29 Jun 2018
7 night minimum stay
|
£1,423
for 7 nights
|
|
£1,423
|
|
|
||||
high
30 Jun 2018 -
7 Sep 2018
7 night minimum stay
|
£1,708
for 7 nights
|
|
£1,708
|
|
|
||||
autumn
8 Sep 2018 -
12 Oct 2018
7 night minimum stay
|
£1,423
for 7 nights
|
|
£1,423
|
|
|
||||
low
13 Oct 2018 -
21 Dec 2018
7 night minimum stay
|
£1,139
for 7 nights
|
|
£1,139
|
|
|
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Refundable Damage Deposit | £175.19 |
Pet Fee | £0 |
Booking Notes:
Please book either by e mail or phone 50% payment at time of booking full two months before holiday date.
Damage deposit required on arrival, all being well to be returned on the leaving date once the keys are given back.
Changeover Day:
Change over day normally Saturday but can be flexible between November and April. Arrival between 4 -7pm Departure by 10am.
Notes on prices:
Prices are for the property per week in UK Pounds.
Please note that during the cooler months should it be necessary there will be a charge for heating based on usage.