No pets allowed Not suitable for children under 5 Not suitable for elderly or infirm No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
"Il Castellino" is a very attractive, tastefully restored, stables situated in the village of Comano in the beautiful Tavarone valley. Sweeping stone walls, huge chestnut beams, and traditional terracotta floors make this a truly Tuscan experience. The contemporary design without loosing its rustic appeal offers spacious and light accommodation comprising: entrance into open plan kitchen and dining area with traditional fireplace, hallway to twin bedroom, utility room and bath/shower room A feature staircase leads to the mezzanine living area and the huge, feature master bedroom. This property is ideally situated whether it be for a ski, sunbathing or cultural holiday. The famous places of Florence, Lucca, Parma and Portofino are all within reach when staying at II Castellino.
A perfect setting for dinner Italiano by candlelight
The huge master bedroom with its large feature bed
The twin bedroom nestled under the huge chestnut beams
Eat al fresco in the backdrop of the Appenines
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/29123
The Tuscany region
About Lunigiana Part of Tuscany, Lunigiana is an ancient territory extending from the Apennines to the mouth of the River Magra. This hidden corner of Tuscany is rich in mediaeval history: castles, Romanesque churches and ancient hilltop hamlets of astonishing beauty dot the landscape everywhere. Bounded by the Mediterranean Sea, the Apuane Alps and the Apennine Mountains, Lunigiana is a land lost in time. Its geographical location and turbulent history have combined to create a unique landscape, one that, even to this day, remains preserved and intact from over-development. Lunigiana remains virtually untouched by the rampant urbanisation and industrialisation that plague many areas of outstanding natural beauty in other countries. It has a uniquely rural character where life moves at a traditional pace yet it is easy to reach from the international airports at Pisa, Genoa, Parma and Milan.
Lunigiana / Comano area
Comano, in the upper Taverone valley is a charming Tuscan village with roots that go back as far as the 9th Century. Situated in magical countryside at a height of 600 metres beneath Camporaghena Peak on the edge of the Apennines National Park, Comano is famous for its Castello, an imposing tower dating from the 12th century and its chestnut woods which have played a significant role in both the economy and gastronomy of the area.
Numerous paths around Comano allow tourists to practice walking and pony trekking, enjoying incredible panoramas. Comano is the scene of many festivals and events including an art festival in August and an annual horse fair at a newly completed riding arena in September. A costumed Chestnut Fair in October celebrates the chestnut tree as a source of food, timber and charcoal.
BEACHES Comano is inland from La Spezia on the Mediterranean coast. South of La Spezia, along the Versilia Coast from Marinella di Sarzana to Viaraggio, there are many beaches amongst them some of the longest and finest in the Mediterranean.
PARKS Comano is surrounded by major parks of international significance: 1. National Park of the Apennines: The wild, and extraordinary beauty of this region includes ecosystems of great scientific interest. Amongst the peaks golden eagles soar and wild Apennine wolves roam.
2. Equi Caves Cultural Park: the prehistoric Equi offers a diverse natural experience including grottos, canyons, the Equi Terme thermal spa town, the Equi Cut walk, the Caves Museum, the Archeopark and "The Buca" (The Pit)
3. Apuane Alps Regional Park: the striking Apuane range of marble-topped mountains sits between the Apennines and the sea. This extraordinary alpine landscape encloses an incredible variety of rare flowers and plants as well as wild fauna and important archeological and geological sites. For the active it is possible to go on beautiful walking or horseriding tours and the steep mountainsides and deep caves of the Apuane Alps attract many cavers and climbers.
4. Cinque Terre National Park: On the coast within 45 minutes drive lies the delightful “Cinque Terre” - five old, pastel-coloured fishing villages strung along the coast to the north of La Spezia which rise sheer from the sea in dramatic situations.
WALKING Without doubt, Lunigiana offers some of the finest walking in the world. Whether you traverse the high mountains of the magnificent Alpe Apuane or Appenine mountains, explore the chestnut woods and meadows of the beautiful valleys or follow the banks of the many rivers and torrents you will have an unforgettable experience. Lunigiana and the Alpe Apuane offer over 250 km of marked trails.
SPORT Lunigiana is an outdoor sportsmans’s paradise. Swimming, tennis, cycling, mountain-biking, kayaking, climbing, caving, horse-riding and fishing are just some of the sports on offer.
SKIING Just 30-40 minutes drive away from Comano are the pretty ski resorts of Zum Zeri, Cerreto Laghi and Prato Spilla. These resorts are situated in the Apennine mountains and are ideal for family ski-ing and snow-boarding. The ski lift at Prato Spilla is open in the summer months where you can take a ride up the mountain and either walk down one of the ski runs or take the ski lift back down.
HISTORY It is not for nothing that Lunigiana is known as the land of the 100 castles. The region has the highest concentration of fortified structures in Italy and dozens of these defensive structures are to be found dotted around the area often in magnificent positions. Comano itself is the site of the 13th Century Comano Tower. The nearby Romanesque Crespiano parish church (11th century) preserves medieval artifacts and is flanked by one of the oldest towers in Lunigiana
RESTAURANTS Food is a cornerstone of Italian culture and lifestyle and the Lunigiana region is no exception. Lunigiana is famous for its wonderful dishes and quality of its food and the area has a number of unique regional specialities, cooking styles and flavours characterised by simplicity, freshness and quality. And of course, the excellent food is served in a wealth of good local restaurants which tend to be very reasonably priced.
FOSDINOVO ADVENTURE PARK The Fosdinovo Adventure Park overlooks the castle Malaspina within walking distance of the hilltop town of Fosdinovo. The park offers an exciting alternative to the usual day at the beach and is a place for people of all ages who love open air and adventure. As well as an adrenalin-fuelled aerial assualt courses other activities at the park include orienteering, quadbiking and mountainbiking.
MARBLE QUARRIES AND WORKSHOPS Visit the huge marble quarries of Massa-Carrara. The renowned flawless-white marble quarries of Carrara were the source of bright stone for the Colosseum, the Pantheon, London’s Marble Arch and Michelangelo’s David. Today, more than 1 million tonnes of marble are quarried every year from nearly 300 quarries.
MUSEUMS Lunigiana hosts a wealth of museums that document and portray the treasures of the region:
Archeological Museum of the Stele Statues, Piagnaro Castle, Pontremoli An important collection of stone statues of human figures from Neanderthal times.
Lunigiana Ethnographic Museum, Bagnone An extensive collection of instruments, clothes and domestic objects used in the daily life of Lunigiana peasants in yesteryear all housed in a fascinating riverside mill setting.
Lunigiana Natural History Museum, Aulla Situated in the imposing Brunella Fortress, the museum incorporates recreations of all Lunigiana's natural habitats and ecosystems, from the chestnut and beech groves to the mountain prairies and mediterranean vegetation.
"Jacobi da Fivizzano" Printing Museum, Fivizanno As the cradle of Italian printing and the home of the world's first typewriter, this museum is dedicated to Fivizanno's Jacobi Bononi who started printing in 1471.
Equi Terme Museum of Caves A museum dedicated to the history of the human presence in the vast Equi cave complex at the foot of the Pizzo d'Uccello.
Marble Museum of Carrara This interesting museum charts the story of marble working and Carrara marble, the famous white stone favoured by Michaelangelo.
FESTIVALS Every year the Lunigiana comes alive with fairs, shows, festivals and markets. Medieval Markets/festivals in Filetto and Villafranca take place during August, an antiques fair at Sarzana throughout the month of August, the Bagnone Chestnut Fairs in October, Pietrasanta's monthly antiques market, Massa's coin and stamp show in October, the "L'arte nella strada" in Marina di Carrara at the end of July and the Fiera di San Martino in Fivizanno in October are just a selection of the events on offer.
Stemming from the fact that many major publishers originate from nearby Montereggio, the famous Fiera del Libro or Pontremoli Book Fair is held in July and August with Italy's most important literary award presented at this.
Massa puts on the Giornate Numismatiche e Filateliche massesi, a coin and stamp show in the middle of October.
NATURE The wooded hills and craggy mountains of the Lunigiana present a splendid, unspoilt natural environment for nature lovers and ecologists. Towered over by the high crests of the Tuscan-Emilian Appenines - recently recognized as a National Park - and by the majestic Alpe Apuane, Lunigiana has an exceptionally unpolluted ecology that must be experienced at first hand.
FRIGNOLI BOTANICAL GARDENS Situated at a height of 900 metres the Frignoli Botanical Gardens near Fivizanno house a spectacular array of native plants, herbs and tree species in specially constructed natural environments.
How to get there
By Air Lunigiana is well served by low cost airlines which fly in to Pisa, Parma and Genoa airports, all 1 hour's drive or less away. A little further but still within easy reach are Milan's two international airports. The area is well connected by autostrada to all of these airports. Detailed directions from the various airports to the property of y will be sent with each property booking confirmation. To check low-cost flights from the UK to Pisa, Parma, Genoa and Milan go to www.Skyscanner.net
By Road Despite its peaceful nature and apparent seclusion, the Lunigiana region is at the heart of the Italian motorway network. The region is easily reached by car from Pisa and Genoa via the A12 Autostrada which runs between Livorna and Genoa. From Parma and Milan the area is easily reached via the A1 and A15 autostradas. Detailed directions by road to the property will be sent with each booking confirmation.
By Rail Lunigiana is easily reached by train and train services in Italy are both reliable and cheap. The main Rome-Paris line runs along the coastline of the Versilian Riviera and branch lines run to Aulla, Pontremoli, and Gragnola. A car is essential to get around once you arrive so please check with us in advance if you plan to arrive by train.
The following low-cost routes serve Lunigiana from the UK (as of April 2007): Ryanair: Glasgow Prestwick - Pisa, Rome, Milan Edinburgh - Milan Liverpool - Pisa, Milan Sheffield Doncaster - Pisa, Milan London Stansted - Parma, Milan, Genoa Nottingham East Midlands - Milan, Pisa Newcastle - Milan, Pisa Luton - Milan London Gatwick - Milan, Pisa Belfast - Milan Leeds - Milan, Pisa Manchester - Milan Bournemouth - Pisa Bristol - Pisa
Easyjet: Bristol - Pisa London Gatwick - Pisa, Milan Edinburgh - Milan
Sofabeds (1), Single beds (2), Double beds (1), Dining seating for 4, Lounge seating for 5, Sleeps maximum of 4
Other:
Linen and towels provided.
Outdoors:
Balcony / Terrace, BBQ
Access:
Parking space
Further details indoors: * Galleried living area * Open plan dining area * Magnificent sleeping accommodation with kingsize bed, original chestnut roofbeams and flooring * Master bedroom overlooking patio with fountain and views down Tavernelle valley * Fully equipped kitchen * Huge wood burning stove (fuel provided in winter) * Large washroom with separate bath and shower * Utility room with washing machine
Further details outdoors: * Private stone-flagged courtyard with barbecue and dining facilities * Swimming pool in village just 5 minutes walk * Property approached by the village borgo through a medieval vaulted archway * The Torrente Taverone (river) runs close by the property
Further details
As well as a selection of bars and hotels, Comano has a Tourist Information Centre, newsagent, pharmacy, post office, foodstores, bakery, pizzeria, hairdresser and petrol station. The nearest bank is 5 miles away in Licciana-Nardi but there is a cash machine at the Tourist Information Centre. Larger supermarkets can be found in Aulla, Villafranca and Sarzana. Guests can use the swimming pool at the Miramonti Hotel in return for their custom in the restaurant or pizzeria and there are tennis courts, sports and horse riding centres in Comano.
Conditions
1. Lets normally run Saturday to Saturday. However if you have different requirements please provide us with your needs and we will endeavour to oblige.
2. The arrival times for this property are from 4.00pm onwards and the property must be vacated by 10.00am on the day of departure. Please note that we cannot vary these times due to the need to thoroughly clean the property between arrivals.
3. 25% deposit at the time of booking and the balance no later than 8 weeks before the start of your holiday. We can accept payments in either Euros or GBP. Payment can be made by cheque, direct deposit, bank draft, wire transfer or money order. A refundable security deposit of £100is payable with the balance of the rental fee.
4. All holiday bookings are subject to standard Terms & Conditions.
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: British £
Convert to:
Prices for group size 4
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
1 Oct 09
24 Dec 09
400£400
0-
0-
1 Week
Christmas/New Year
24 Dec 09
4 Jan 10
500£500
0-
0-
1 Week
4 Jan 10
2 Apr 10
400£400
0-
0-
1 Week
Easter
2 Apr 10
10 Apr 10
450£450
0-
0-
1 Week
10 Apr 10
1 Jun 10
450£450
0-
0-
1 Week
1 Jun 10
1 Jul 10
450£450
0-
0-
1 Week
1 Jul 10
30 Sep 10
500£500
0-
0-
1 Week
62
Prices for group size 2
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
21 Oct 09
24 Dec 09
350£350
0-
0-
1 Week
Christmas/New Year
24 Dec 09
4 Jan 10
450£450
0-
0-
1 Week
4 Jan 10
2 Apr 10
350£350
0-
0-
1 Week
Easter
2 Apr 10
10 Apr 10
400£400
0-
0-
1 Week
10 Apr 10
1 Jun 10
400£400
0-
0-
1 Week
1 Jun 10
1 Jul 10
400£400
0-
0-
1 Week
1 Jul 10
30 Sep 10
450£450
0-
0-
1 Week
62
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.
Please note that there will be a £30 per week supplement for wood for the wood burner between the months of 1st October to April 30th.
Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.
Linen, towels and final cleaning included in the rental fee.
A returnable security deposit of £100 is required.
Although rentals usually run from Saturday to Saturday we will do our best to be flexible with arrival/departure dates so you can take advantage of any low cost flights on offer.
Discount available for long term rentals. Priced upon application.
Guestbook for Il Castellino
Thank you for a fantastic time, a real value for money holiday. Mr and Mrs F. Lancashire. A true Tuscan experience in an unspolit area of Tuscany, we will return. P and R. Berkshire An efficient service from beginning to end, a holiday retreat nicely placed to see a bit of everything. The Johnson party, Oxford.
We could only put excellent on this owners customer satisfaction form, we will remember this holiday for a long time. JD Germany.
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/29123
Contact details for the advertiser of home 29123
Name:
Vanessa Lacey
Tel:
+44 (0)1524 782609
Be aware of time-zones Please mention Holiday Lettings when contacting this advertiser
Print this page
Email to friend
Be aware of time-zones
