May take pets - please enquire Suitable for children No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
The cottage is built on a triangle of land ringed by pine and chestnut covered mountains and a view of the medieval fortress across the valley in the distance. A covered raised terrace gives shade in the height of summer and shelter for visitors coming off-season. The lawn allows for sun-bathing, lounging and children's games. A table and benches set out under a vine covered pergola for al fresco eating.
The cottage is well equipped for self-catering. However the owner's wife is available to cook on request (ideal for walkers who come back tired from a day's trekking) and there is a trattoria just round the corner. Breakfast can also be provided. Visitors can help themselves to new laid eggs and children are invited to help feed the chickens.
The cottage
Looking out from the terrace
Living room upstairs
Upstairs twin bedroom
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/7914
The Tuscany region
Tuscany is a large and varied region of Italy. It is best known as the home of Florence (Firenze in Italian) where the renaissance of art and sculpture was begun in the 15th Century. Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo both came from Florence. Galileo who proved that the earth goes round the sun also came from Tuscany. He was a native of Pisa and did experiments from the top of the world famous leaning tower.
Lucca - Garfagnana area
Lucca is the provincial capital of this part of Tuscany. It is a medieval city on a plain and is still completely surrounded by its 16th Century walls. It has rightly become a noted tourist destination. The rolling hills around Lucca are famous for olive oil production.
North west of Lucca, following the course of the river Serchio, the countryside changes dramatically. This area is known as the Garfagnana, the mountainous part of Tuscany where a genuinely rural culture is still alive and well. Marble is quarried in the Apuan Alps and thoughout it is an area of small villages, peasant cultivated fields and alpine mountain meadows rich in fauna and flora and where shepherds guard their flocks of long legged sheep. In the autumn the locals go into the woods to find porcini mushrooms and sweet chestnuts which are brought back and roasted over the fire. Camporgiano, 4kms away, has a 15th century castle in the middle of the village. From the walls there are stunning views down to the river and across the valley.
How to get there
The most convenient arrival airport is Pisa although Genova, Firenze, Bologna are all within striking distance. Most visitors hire a car at the airport (please enquire for our car hire offer). There is a train however that goes Pisa - Lucca - Piazza al Serchio / Aulla (the local station is Camporgiano) and a proportion of visitors do take this route.
Ryanair is the main airline to Pisa. It goes from London (Stansted), Glasgow and now Dublin.
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Pisa: 78 km
Railway:
Camporgiano: 4 km
Activities near Lucca - Garfagnana
Sports: Golf within 30 mins drive Fishing
Great for: Walking holidays Rural / countryside retreats Cycling holidays
Facilities
Luxuries:
Log fire
General:
Central heating, TV, CD player
Standard:
Kettle, Iron, Hair dryer
Utilities:
Clothes dryer, Cooker, Fridge, Washing machine
Rooms:
Bedrooms (4), Shower rooms (2), WCs (2)
Furniture:
Single beds (4), Double beds (2), Cots (1), Dining seating for 8, Lounge seating for 6, Sleeps maximum of 8
Other:
Linen and towels provided. Highchair available.
Outdoors:
Balcony / Terrace, Private garden, BBQ, Bicycles available, Private fishing lake / river
Access:
Secure parking
Further details indoors: The cottage is divided into two apartments making it ideal for a mixed group or 2 families holidaying together as it allows an element of privacy. The upstairs apartment is reached via the raised terrace as shown in the photo. At the top of the stairs there is a small landing off which opens two bedrooms (1 double, 1 twin with traditional style iron bedsteads), a bathroom and living room / kitchen. The whole place has been newly restructured to a high standard with local chestnut wood and terracotta tiling used throughout.
Downstairs is equally attractive. Guests walk straight into the living room / kitchen and then through to the bedrooms and bathroom. Here the ceilings and most of the floors are original and have been cleaned and restored to give a feeling of timelessness. The living room has a woodburning fireplace, much appreciated by guests who visit in Spring and Autumn. The downstairs apartment is entered directly from the garden and is all on one level making it suitable for anyone who has difficulty walking.
A final note - the owner has provided a guitar for anyone who wants to play. This has been appreciated by guests who enjoy making music.
Further details outdoors: Behind the cottage is the stream - the Rio Cavo - crossed by the viaduct which carries the little local train. The owner has made a track down to the stream so that children can paddle, make dams or collect fresh eggs from the chicken run (there are almost always plenty for all). Below the road in front of the cottage runs the River Serchio which forms the valley between the Appenine mountains and the Apuan Alps. The river is reached via a short track and here visitors can swim if the water level permits.
Further details
Casa del Rio Cavo can also be rented as a single apartment (sleeping 4), in which case the other apartment remains empty to ensure privacy.
Conditions
A refundable breakages deposit of 150 Euros is payable on arrival.
The washing machine is separate from the cottage and visitors can either provide detergent and the owner's wife will do the washing, or pay (5 Euros) and the washing and hanging the clothes out will be done for them.
Winter heating paid for separately according to use.
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: British £
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
2 Oct 08
11 Oct 08
595£595
0-
0-
4 Nights
Low Season
11 Oct 08
18 Apr 09
489£489
0-
0-
4 Nights
Mid Season
18 Apr 09
4 Jul 09
565£565
0-
0-
4 Nights
HighSeason
4 Jul 09
5 Sep 09
645£645
0-
0-
4 Nights
Mid Season
5 Sep 09
10 Oct 09
565£565
0-
0-
4 Nights
Low Season
10 Oct 09
1 Jan 10
489£489
0-
0-
4 Nights
51
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.
Days less than a week are charged pro rata + %10
To rent ground floor apartment only, the prices are: £319, £398, £456pw. Dates as above
Guestbook for Casa del Rio Cavo
''We had a wonderful time. The area was stunning and we enjoyed staying in the cottage - so quiet and peaceful and what a lovely view from the terrace ... we would definitely recommend it.' Helen Jeffrey, Stirling 2007
‘Everything was just as described – it suited us down to the ground, and being able to go next door for a pizza and bottle of rosso at the end of the day was just great.’ Martin Bowles, Hampshire 2008
'A fantastic 2 weeks, absolutely amazing. The boys loved playing in the stream ... the little one loved the chickens ... Thanks for a lovely, lovely cottage.' Atkins family, Tamworth 2008
'Just to let you know we had a most enjoyable time in Casa del Rio Cavo.... such stunning scenery and weather...thanks for all your help' Gerry and Margaret Mc Donnell, Dublin 2009.
Availability
See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here
Key:
11
12
Booked
11
12
Available
11
12
Unknown
11
12
Arrival/Departure dates
Send Enquiry
To contact this advertiser please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/7914
Contact details for the advertiser of home 7914
Name:
Elisabeth Bond
Company:
ClevedonsTravel Ltd
Tel:
+44 (0)20 7278 0672
Be aware of time-zones Please mention Holiday Lettings when contacting this advertiser
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