Lucca - Garfagnana holiday cottage rental with walking, log fire, balcony/terrace, rural retreat, TV

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Casa del Rio Cavo (cottage)

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. For anyone who comes with small children there is also a baby-sitting service.

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.

Activities near Lucca - Garfagnana

Facilities

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 etc. 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. See separate ad for details and prices.

Conditions

A refundable breakages deposit of 100 Euros is payable on arrival.
Winter heating paid for separately

Rental rates

Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
	13 Oct 07	19 Apr 08	489£  489	0-	0-	4 Nights
	19 Apr 08	5 Jul 08	595£  595	0-	0-	4 Nights
	5 Jul 08	6 Sep 08	685£  685	0-	0-	4 Nights
	6 Sep 08	11 Oct 08	595£  595	0-	0-	4 Nights
	11 Oct 08	20 Apr 09	489£  489	0-	0-	4 Nights

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner'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

'This was exactly what we visualised when we decided to holiday in Tuscany ... a stunning setting, authentic cottage ... we can genuinely recommend it,' Rudi Kritzinger, Reading 2001

'A fantastic holiday!' Paul and Jenny Gillard (on their honeymoon) Newton Abbot 2005

'Add to (the warmth and hospitality of the owners) the most breathtaking countryside you could hope
to encounter, and you may understand just how much we enjoyed our holiday'. Dermot Richardson, Dublin, May 2006

''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

Availability notes

To see availability please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/7914

Contact owner

To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/7914

Contact details for home 7914 Please mention Holiday Lettings
Name:	Elisabeth Bond
Tel:	+44 (0)20 7278 0672
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Contact Notes: Email and land line
Advertiser joined: 20 Jan 2005 This property added: 6 Dec 2005

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