Casa Toscana

In a Tuscan mountain village, less than an hour away from Florence and Pisa.
Guests: 4       Wifi: available       Pets? Strictly no pets allowed

Casa Toscana

more about Casa Toscana

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about the property

Priced for up to 2 staying, sleeps 4. Live your own Tuscan dream in this gorgeous contemporary transformation. Perfect for exploring Florence, Lucca and beyond

Situated in the hills between Florence and Lucca, the house offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in an authentic medieval Tuscan village. Recently restored, it offers extraordinary views from every window. Both bedrooms have en-suites furnished with local Carrera marble, and are supplied with complimentary organic toiletries and monogrammed White Company bedlinen and bathsheets. Spend lazy evenings dining al-fresco on the terrace or indulge in a gastronomic feast in the four excellent restaurants within five to ten minutes' drive.

The master bedroom needs very little introduction - your own exclusive 'room with a view'. The double-height ceiling gives the space a feeling of airiness, echoed in the four-poster bed with sumptuous White Company bedlinen. An en-suite furnished with rainshower and locally sourced Carrera marble tiles and of course White Company bathsheets and you might never want to leave!

Two antique mahogany sleigh beds complete the sleeping arrangements in the downstairs twin bedroom, which can be combined as a superking (on request). Another en-suite with walk-in rainshower, complimentary toiletries and mesmerising view over the private terrace.

The kitchen is immaculately equipped with designer Italian crockery, Alessi cookware and Joseph Joseph kitchenware. The bespoke table and seats are a welcome addition for your complimentary bottle of prosecco whilst keeping the budding cook company - and if you do turn your hand to a bit of Italian cooking, there are numerous recipe books on the well-stocked shelves.

Elegant antique sofa and chairs in the living room compliment the heritage of the 400 year old house, and subtle lighting invites one to settle in with a novel from our well-stocked bookshelves along with a good glass of red. For those venturing here in the cooler months (perfect for sightseeing!) or that cheeky weekend away we have a gorgeous Murso woodburner with ample supplies.

Take advantage of those glorious summer evenings and the epic views across the valley with an outdoor terrace and ample relaxing seating. The twinkling lights across the valley will keep you mesmerised late into the evening, perfectly accompanied by a bottle of local vino.

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latest review

Lovely well appointed holiday accomodation nestled in Tuscan hills. Enjoyed sitting on the terrace and exploring local trails from the village, local restaurants were great and even managed a dip in t...

Annie S, 2022

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good to know

arrival at
16:00
depart by
10:00
guests
4
pets
strictly no pets allowed
bed layout
Twin (ground floor), Double

facilities at Casa Toscana

general
farm or rural location
open fire / woodburner
no pets
activities
pub nearby (walkable)
media & technology
wifi broadband internet

map - location

travel info

Flights operate daily from all over the UK to Florence and Pisa (Bristol is the best bet you’re travelling from Wales) and the house is equidistant between the two (approx. 1 hr). We would highly recommend hiring a car as reaching the house by public transport is possible but some services infrequent.

in detail

Wifi is included and the house has mobile phone signal. Please note that children should be age 10 and over for this property. 

The hilltop location ensures that the house benefits from cooling breezes and the thick medieval walls and original cotto tiles ensure a cool internal temperature. The shutters serve to keep the breeze moving through the house while keeping the sun at bay. For those venturing here in the cooler months (perfect for sightseeing!) or that cheeky weekend away we have a gorgeous Murso woodburner with ample supplies.

Ground floor:

Traditional Tuscan chestnut front door; wide hallway with original cotto tiles (throughout) leading to:-

Kitchen – bespoke elm table and benches comfortably seating 6, wide SMEG oven, fridge, dishwasher, full range of Alessi and Joseph Joseph cookware and designer Italian crockery

Twin bedroom – Twin antique mahogany sleigh beds with monogrammed White Company Egyptian cotton bed linen, antique chest of drawers and bespoke hanging space and hangers. Beds can be combined to create large superking bed (please request at booking)

En-suite to twin bedroom – walk-in rain shower with local Carrara marble tiles, White Company bath linen and complimentary organic toiletries

First floor: Original stone staircase to the first floor with extraordinary views across the valley, featuring exposed original chestnut timber beams. Elegant antique sofa and chairs, with a wide selection of reading material and luxurious throws and wood burner for cooler evenings

Second floor: Original stone staircase to double height master bedroom, with contemporary White Company 4 poster bed and White Company Egyptian cotton bed linen. Exposed original chestnut beams and breathtaking views across the valley. Antique armoire with additional drawer space and plenty of hangers. Hairdryer and iron and ironing board

En-suite to master – rain shower with local Carrara marble tiles, sumptuous White Company bath linen. Full-size radiators for cooler evenings

Outside: Large terrace with pergola, table and chairs seating 8, two additional deck chairs. To one side of the terrace is the original mettato (barn) for drying chestnuts – this is the only remaining structure in the village (please note barn is not accessible to guests)

Surrounding the barn is the terraced garden featuring (baby) olive trees and herb garden – please help yourself! There is a wealth of bird and wildlife which we encourage by not having the grass cut too frequently, and guests are requested to take care when exploring the garden. The terrace and garden are directly opposite the house – separated by a narrow pedestrian path, which although not in regular use, is a right of way for local residents

local area

The Village

The house is located in one of 10 medieval villages where time is marked by church bells echoing across the valley. The local bar (circolo) is the hub of village life - locals come here to chat, to argue, to exchange views and there is always a game of cards on the go. The terrace has fabulous views over the valley and we can't think of a better place for an aperitivo. Barbara and her wonderful daughters run the circolo and she has a smile for everyone - you will be greeted like a local and we can guarantee it will become part of your evening ritual. If you can drag yourself away from the house and village there are four excellent restaurants within 5-10 minutes drive (or a leisurely stroll) where you can savour Tuscan gastronomy at its' best - after all this is the birthplace of the slow food movement.

The local bar also has a small selection of essentials for purchse however the main large supermarkets are in our local town, Pescia, approximately 15 minutes drive. Don't miss the Saturday morning market where farm to market is literally a matter of hours.

If you are able to tear yourself away from the views, you will find the local area offers plenty of opportunity to explore an Tuscany that has barely changed for centuries - a welcome relief from the mass tourist trail. Fagiola di Sorana (Sorana beans) are produced only in this valley and are awarded IGP status and recognition by the Slow Food movement. If you are lucky enough to be visiting at the end of August, the village festival celebrating the Sorana bean is not to be missed - an epic two days of feasting, dancing, and celebrating.

And the icing on the cake - a little 'wild' swimming. We provide Hammam towels (locally sourced in Morocco) and on booking we reveal the popular local secret swimming spot. It's the perfect way to cool down at the end of a summer's day. The beach is less than an hour away and we provide all the information on where to go and how to pick a spot. Closer to home (10 minutes drive) there are two country club swimming pools where for a small fee you can hire deckchairs and parasols and enjoy a cocktail whilst topping up your holiday tan.

Local area

Dieci Castella – ten fortified medieval villages to explore – on your doorstep 

Pescia – nearest major town, straddling the river, notable for gothic churches and grand Medici gate – don’t miss the Saturday market with a wealth of fresh local produce (15 mins)

Swimming – several local options, but our favourite is a secret local swimming hole (revealed in arrival instructions email!); white sandy beaches less than an hour away.

Florence – the birthplace of Renaissance and Italian cuisine (1 hr)

Lucca – ‘love at first site’ medieval walled city (35 mins)

Pisa – Piazza dei Miracoli with its’ leaning tower never fails to impress (1 hr)

Montecatini – stately Art Noveau spa town – don’t miss a visit to the Terme Tettuccio (40 mins)

Montecatini alto – medieval village accessed by funicular railway (operational since 1800s) with extraordinary views over Montecatini and entire Valdenievole valley

Pistoia – Italy’s city of culture 2017 – striking octagonal baptistry and belltower (40mins)

Vinci – birthplace and museum dedicated to the greatest of Scientific minds (45mins)

Fiesole – Roman amphitheatre and preserved Estrucan walls positioned high above Florence (hr)

Cinque Terre -  UNESCO sight  - five spectacular medieval villages clinging to the rock face set in some of the most dramatic coastal scenery on the planet (1 ½ hrs)

Villas – large opulent villas scatter the surrounding countryside, whilst further afield the Medici villas form part of a UNESCO site

Puccini festival – open-air productions of his most famous works located on his estate (advance booking essential)

Lucca music festival – Big names descend on Lucca every June and July for spectacular open-air concert (advance booking essential)

Further afield (2 hours or less):

  • Sienna – romantic medieval city
  • San Gimignano – UNESCO site famed for its extraordinary medieval towers
  • Volterra – enchanting medieval hilltop town with Etruscan roots.
  • Bologna – a city of gastronomic delights

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customer reviews for Casa Toscana

Lovely well appointed holiday accomodation nestled in Tuscan hills. Enjoyed sitting on the terrace and exploring local trails from the village, local restaurants were great and even managed a dip in the swimming spot in early October! Easy access to Lucca, Florence and Pisa - trains from Pescia are regular and worth exploring with free parking at the station.

- Annie S,
2022

We loved the luxury standard, the interior design, the soft sheets, the equipment in the kitchen, the welcome bottle of Prosecco, the terrace and view, the swimming spot and the whole experience. We loved preparing dinner and eating it on the terrace. We absolutely loved the natural river swimming (but by late afternoon it loses the sunshine). We did a lot of hiking to the surrounding villages. To Castelvecchio and San Quirico you can leave from the doorstep. From Vellano there are also nice trails. Being from Switzerland we are used to better hiking paths but we still had fun. The olive oil tasting with Luca was very local and authentic - we loved it. Thank you very much for sharing this fantastic home. Raphael and Guillaume (Switzerland) S

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2021

What can I say...The most amazing place to stay! Glorious valley views from the villa windows and terrace. Beautifully and artistically furnished holiday property with attention to detail, without compromising on comfort...Tranquil evenings lounging on the terrace watching the sun go down. Wonderful restaurant nearby serving locally sourced Italian cuisine. A holiday to remember, I will definitely be returning! Amanda

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2021

We loved the peacefulness of the house and the surroundings and the comfort of the house. We visited local restaurant Da Carla and had a lovely lunch in Montecarlo. We liked Montecarlo and Pescia - not too big or too busy. We would recommend the natural river swimming - we went there with our teenage girls every day! Jolanda (Germany) Aug 21

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2021

An amazing location, within driving distance of some of the best cultural and historical sites in Tuscany, but still secluded and authentic. The house itself is beautifully renovated whilst retaining its original charm. Freddie July 21

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2021

From the upper windows, views across a wooded valley reveal medieval villages. Birds flutter and chirp. The cockerel crows and the church bell rings out the hours. Inside, the house is comfortable, stylish and well-equipped for our stay, and the detailed information provided by the owners makes everything easy. On our last day, we followed directions to the local swimming hole - a hidden treat and highlight of our holiday. Anna

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2020

A beautiful house in the most stunning part of Tuscany. The views over the valley when waking up each morning is really something special. The interior of the house is flawlessly elegant throughout, warm and comforting. The local authenticity of the area is a refreshing escape from the fast paced lives of home. By far my two favourite things about this house are the local restaurants nearby producing the best Italian cuisine and the natural pools to bathe in during the day when the Tuscan sun is at its best! Thomas 2020

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2020

We had the most wonderful Autumnal stay at Casa Castagna and I could not recommended this beautiful house more highly. It’s the best place I’ve stayed; a real gem. The luxury standard throughout is just ‘wow’ whether that’s the Alessi & design gadgets in the kitchen with stunning Smeg oven and hob to create your own Italian delights, or the high quality of every detail that Michelle has put in, in every room. The photos are great, but you will be blown away even more so. The Tuscan hills are quite something; a perfect base to explore Florence, Lucca and beyond. Definitely returning .. - Guest, Alice

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2019

We spent a wonderful week at this house at the end of Sept/early Oct. It has been beautifully restored and offers magical views from its windows and garden. The selection of books in the house was a bonus! Besides being great for lazy days the location is also a good base for exploring the region. We loved Lucca so much we visited it twice. We also visited Da Sandrino and Da Carla, two of the restaurants recommended by the house's owner and only five minutes drive away. Both were very good. I'd recommend the wild boar and olives at Sandrino and steak with green peppercorn sauce at Carla. I'd advise future guests to arrive at the house during daylight if possible. The 15-minute drive to it from Pecia is rather challenging if you aren't used to country roads. Saying that the owner provides excellent directions.

- David morley ,
2019

We spent a happy week at Casa Castagna. The property had been beautifully restored and fitted with lovely furnishings. All local restaurants were superb and the local Italians very friendly. A great base to explore the local area. Many thanks for a lovely holiday. Guests Owen, Angela, Alun and Heulwen.

- A l jones ,
2019

What a wonderful holiday we had at Casa Castagna. The house is beautiful and luxurious. We totally relaxed during our stay. The driving was exciting and you get used to the roads really quickly. One of our best days was driving out to some of the other villages - all beautiful and all different. There is a bus service throughout the day to Pescia for supples and train connections to Lucca, Montecatini and Pistoia. We were lucky to be in Sorana for the bean festival. The local people are incredibly friendly and we had a wonderful night of eating, drinking and dancing with them. The circola, bar, is a great place for an evening drink. We bought a beautiful souvenir from a market stall in Lucca - a man carves little houses and towers from beautiful wood which go together to make a simple street. It takes me straight back to the village every time I look at it. Only disappointment was we couldn’t find a porcupine quill to take home!

- Ali B,
2019

A wonderful cottage in one of the most beautiful parts of Tuscany. Once you have mastered the way to the cottage for the first time - the description on the website is very helpful - it is not particularly difficult and leads to a picturesque small village. The cottage is fully equipped, beautifully furnished and perfect for four people. Visits to the local bar, the mobile shop coming every morning and to the multiple events on the little market square are highly recommended. Florence, Pisa or Lucca are the obvious places for visits, we would however recommend also to spend time in Pistoia and Pescia. Our favourite spot: In the east of the village a place to sit and read, especially also on hot days.

- Bianca P,
2019

Recently back from a very hot week staying in this beautifully refurbished and thoughtfully equipped house. It had everything we needed and the owner Michelle was fantastic at responding to our queries, before and during our stay. We loved having breakfast and dinner outside, watching the constantly changing views across the valley. The village was characterful and friendly and getting up for the bread etc van an experience. Despite the appeals of the house, we dragged ourselves away to a couple of the local restaurants and had good food (including the local beans!) at modest prices. A great base for exploring Lucca and local towns and villages, with high mountain walks about a 90-minute drive away.

- P gruffudd ,
2019

We had an excellent stay at Casa Castagna. The house is a wonderful base to enjoy the beauty of Tuscany, with Lucca and Florence a short train journey or drive from the property. The local restaurants recommended by the owners are all superb and the accommodation with its views was just perfect.

- Dan lewis ,
2019

We had the most amazing time at Casa Castagna. It is in such a beautiful setting and we felt very at home. We did a lot of walks from the door, exploring the other villages in the area. We didn’t make it to the wine tasting in the end, but we did take up your recommendation of La Sandrino - that wild hare pasta blew our minds and our tastebuds! We also made the most of our last day which was very rainy by booking a table at the Agri-Turismo for their gastro feast, and what a feast it was. We felt very welcome as the ‘x 4 Iglises’. The kitchen had everything that was needed to cook up some tasty meals of our own and we enjoyed a lovely day in Lucca cycling around the city walls. We really had no complaints even with the patchy weather. We would certainly consider returning and have already shared details of where we stayed with friends. Many thanks again for helping to make our stay truly special. Guests Shona & Jon

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2019

The house was beautiful and it is in a lovely village.The decor and amenities are first class.

- Elaine R,
2019