CASA CASTAGNA

a room with a view

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ABOUT

Nestled in a medieval Tuscan mountain village, Casa Castagna is rooted in a cultural Eden. With simply extraordinary views from every window, private terraced garden and contemporary decor, the house offers a unique opportunity to experience long etched traditions where heritage and food remain central. Cultural treasures, Florence and Pisa, are less than an hour away and 'love at first sight' walled city of Lucca a mere 35 minutes.

REST

White Company bedlinen in a subtle palette of white and grey creates space for the sweet spot of sublime and simplicity 

 

CASA

Rest

 

  • Master bedroom (top floor) with four-poster double bed, en-suite shower room & majestic views over the valley

  • Twin bedroom (ground floor) with en-suite shower room and views over the terrace and valley

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Living

 

Uncomplicated but elegantly furnished with antique sofa and chairs, chaise longue, and log burner for cooler evenings. Unparalleled views over the valley towards Castelvecchio and San Quirico (binoculars provided)

Garden

 

Step onto the terrace for a lazy breakfast or evening dining al fresco. Wander among the (baby) olive trees and pick your own from the herb garden 

Create

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Awaken your inner Italian culinary artist with a fully equipped kitchen - Alessi cookware, designer Italian crockery and large smeg oven . Overlooking the terrace and views beyond, the kitchen is also furnished with the essentials - belfast sink, fridge, toaster and dishwasher.

Eat

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  • There are no fewer than 4 excellent restaurants within 5 minutes of the house, each offering a unique culinary experience

  • Local community circolo (bar) - open all summer, & weekends in low season 

  • Unmissable - our favourite gelato anywhere in Tuscany (and we've tried a few!) La Baracchino in our local town Pescia (opposite bus station)

Wifi

 

Enabled with unlimited broadband;  please bear in mind that this is rural Italy and service can be unpredictable 

'could not recommended this beautiful house more highly'

'offers magical views from its' windows and garden'

'all the local restaurants were superb'

 
 

EXPLORE

Florence:- Birthplace of the Renaissance & Italian cuisine 

Lucca:- 'Love at first sight' 

Pisa:- impossible to miss

Montecatini:- stately spa town

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Sorana & The Dieci Castella

 

After a heady thunderstorm the pearl grey shawl of mist that envelops the hills affords tempting glimpses of the ten medieval castellated villages 

Pescia

 

The nearest main town, Pescia, is approx 15 minutes drive. Straddling the river, Pescia has a rich cultural heritage, evident in the gothic churches and grand Medici gate to the city. Several major supermarkets are perfect for essentials but take time to explore the weekly Saturday morning market with a wide variety of fresh local produce

Puccini Festival

 

Each year Puccinni's stately villa on the shores of Lago di Massaciaccoli plays host to open air productions of his most famous works; watch the sunset over the lake while immersing oneself in Tosca, La Bohème, La Rondine and Madama Butterfly

 Essential to book (and our advice is to take a cushion!)

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Pistoia:- Italy's city of culture 2017

Vinci :- birthplace of the Leonardo

Fiesole:- Etruscan jewel

Cinque Terre:- UNESCO site

Villas: step inside another era

Swim

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There are several options for cooling off; the beach is less than an hour away, but the closest is a well kept secret local secret swimming hole. Locally sourced hand-woven Moroccan Hammam towels are available for guests 

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Fagiola di Sorana

 

Perhaps the most prized bean in the land of the so-called mangiafagioli (bean eaters), and revered by Rossini, Verdi and Garibaldi, the Fagiola di Sorana is revered not only in this valley, but throughout the area..

Lucca Music Festival &
Pistoia Blues Festival

 

Big names descend on Lucca every June and July for spectacular open air concerts - the line-up has featured Bob Dylan, Elton John and Eric Clapton in previous years

 

Late June/early July Pistoia plays host to a wide range of talent, loosely defined as blues. Bands and solo artists perform under the stars in the large central piazza, against the backdrop of the spectacular baptistry and tower

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Further afield: (2 hours)

  • San Gimignano

  • Siena

  • Arezzo

  • Volterra

  • Bologna

Sagre in the Square

 

Throughout the summer the village hosts local festivals. Handwritten posters appear in the local bar (circolo) - simply add your name

Wine tasting

 

Montecarlo - a pretty medieval town only about half an hour from Sorana is the centre of winemaking in the region and there are a large number of wine
merchants in the town. There are a number of estates surrounding Montecarlo that offer tasting as well as fabulous lunches/evening meals - 
https://www.buonamicowineresort.it/en/

Eco-credentials

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Located in such a rich and diverse landscape, preservation of the local community heritage and resources was a fundamental consideration when restoring the 400+ year old house. Local artisans and crafstmen were employed using locally sourced stone and chestnut timber; sympathetic to its' medieval heritage. The house has solar powered hot water (with back up electrical immersion). Shutters are an efficient addition to nature's cooling breeze in these hills and together with thick walls, keep the house cool in the summer. The logburner is a welcome addition on cooler evenings (wood provided free of charge)