The house/Garfagnana:
A truly rural holiday, but with plenty of opportunity to explore!
The property is situated circa 2kms from the nearest village, with plenty of facilities. You may also walk across the fields if you prefer for a leisurely lunch!
The house boasts fantastic views of the unspoilt countryside whatever the time of year. Explore the hundreds of hilltop villages, go walking, horse-riding, bike riding, or try the fishing which is excellent. Of course the possibilities for picnics are endless, and star gazing at night an experience! Relax with a glass of wine and watch locals play Bocce, or be a spectator at the cheese rolling for which the area is famous. In the autumn join in the local passion of mushroom picking or feast on chestnuts which used to form the staple diet for the locals. Tourism is yet to hit this area, and this is truly one of those increasingly rare places in Europe for which this can be said
Food:
Garfagnanan cuisine is fairly simple, but scrumptious, using local fresh produce to prepare dishes, which since cooked for the locals are very cheap! Wine is good and inexpensive. Lunch can easily be eaten (2 course + cheese/fruit + wine) for circa £5 per head. There are numerous restaurants in the area, and children are welcome. Provisions can easily be found in local bars/shops, and supermarkets.
The locals are very friendly and helpful although not many speak English - take your phrase book! That said, we have family in the area who will be pleased to help you with any translation issues!
Location:
Properties are circa 1 1/2 hr drive from Pisa, 2 hrs from Genoa, 2 hrs Florence, and 2 1/2 from Bologna. The local market town of Castelnuovo is circa 25 mins drive away - famous for its Thursday morning market.
A 2 or 3 min drive will take you to the village of Camporgiano which has all the facilities you will need, and also a train station for when you want a rest from the car! The station serves Lucca/Pisa, and also various seaside towns (with a change at Lucca).
Lucca is under an hour by train/car, and is an absolute must, as is Barga just half hour away!
