Costola

It is difficult to describe just how wondrous this location is; situated in the heart of a very sleepy and peaceful tiny village, yet with absolute privacy, total peace, unbeatable views and 15 hectares of private land including olive groves, chestnut woods and open fields.

The enormous and spacious villa, spread over 3 floors, and originally constructed in the 1400's does justice to the location, and has been newly refurbished with loving care to provide a high quality holiday with an extra special ambience. There is accommodation here for 14 plus 10, with7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 5 kitchen/living rooms.

There is also a further detached house on the grounds, with a further 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and a further two living/kitchen/diners . 

Both properties are included in the price.

Ideal for a group of couples or small families celebrating a special occasion, this villa privacy for groups within groups, but plenty of space to eat together both inside and out, and an industrial size kitchen for when you all wish to cook together rather than in your apartments. In fact this is a cooks' paradise with a wonderfully equipped indoor and outdoor kitchen area ideal for catering for large groups, as well as smaller kitchens in each apartment.

These well equipped villas  are finished with high chestnut beamed ceilings, cotto floors, fireplaces, wonderful windows and amazing views throughout. The original stone staircases remain, there are beautifully shaped ceilings in the hall area, and the villa has been painted in warm traditional tuscan colours. The peaceful and historic theme is carried through to the outside areas too, where there is a beautiful walled courtyard, creating a wonderful feel of yesteryear. The couryard is framed by traditional stone walls, and enormous original arch, and on the floor are the original reclaimed flagstones. The courtyard also boasts an outdoor wood oven and grill, perfect for all types of al fresco cooking, and we can arrange for a specialist chef to cook in these outdoor ovens for you too.

The pool of 13m x 6m overlooks the ancient village, with the valley and moutains beyond & it really is the most amazing view and with the sense of peace pervading the area, we guarantee it will be difficult to tear oneself away from the pool area!

Perfect for a special holiday for a large group, at a very advantageous price.

The accommdation has been split to provide flexible accommodation for large groups and each unit boasts its own private living/kitchen/diner, with good quality sofa bed, hob, combination microwave, oven, grill, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, sat tv and dvd player. Some have their own ovens too.  Each has a fireplace or woodburner. 

Perfect for couples wishing to holiday together but requiring privacy and also small families holidaying together since with so many living rooms and kitchens, it is possible to use the many sofa beds as day beds and keep them open without restricting space for those with older children, give them the excitement of their ownapartment within the large villa!
The accommodation is arranged as follows:

Monastery

Ground floor:

Enter in via large arched wooden doorway.

• On the right, into kitchen/living diner, leading through to corridor with 2 double bedrooms and shower room.
• On the left, into kitchen/living diner, leading through to double bedroom and shower room

First floor:

From the hallway up stone staircases to the first floor where

• on the left is a further kitchen/living diner, leading to double bedroom with en-suite shower room
• On the right to another kitchen/living/dining room which leads to beautiful private terrace with great views, double bedroom and en suite shower room.
• This accommodation is connected to a further studio style double bedroom which also has its own independent access if required, via a large terrace overlooking the gardens.

Second floor:

• This apartment set up above the others has a wonderful romantic terrace leading from both living area and bedroom. The apartment consists of double bedroom, shower room and an open plan living/kitchen/diner.

The converted barn is situated close to the pool area and consists of:

• Ground floor  2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with  living/kitchen/diner and terrace
• First floor 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with living/kitchen-diner and terrace .

Communal area:

Lower ground floor

• Dining area for up to 50 people
• Communal living area with comfy seating and projector screen
• Industrial size kitchen with 6 ring hob, hotplate, small friers, large oven, chest freezer, tall drinks fridge, industrial dishwasher, coffee machine and all fully epuipped with cooking pots and pans, cutlery, crockery and glassware to save groups using those in apartments when all together.

Outside:

• There are three private terraces leading from three of the suites of the monastery, one of which is also the ping pong area. There are also two terraces leading from the converted barn.
• Communal large traditional style courtyard with original flagstones, surrounded by arches and traditional stone walls .
• Lit at night, and perfect for large groups dining al fresco.
• Wood burning pizza/bread oven, grills, large electrice oven and enormous bbq, hob and sink. Ipod dock and speakers
• Grassed garden area with large umbrellas providing shade and an arched area  ideal for weddings/ceremonies.
• 115 hectares of private land including olive groves, chestnut woods and open fields.
• Vegetable garden where guests can pick produce.
• Chestnut woods with 3 donkeys - fenced off of course,
• Pool 13m x 6m with amazing views over countryside,
• Laundry room and internet point.
• Table tennis

Nb - pricing correct for up to 25 guests for larger groups there is a charge of E50 per person per week. Please send an enquiry before booking .

 A little about the area

Costola is situated on the 'sunny side' of the Garfagnana valley within the comune of Fosciandora, which is an area which has retained its olde worlde charm due to the fact there is only one road leading both into and out of the zone… The comune itself has 600 inhabitants spread between 6 villages and various hamlets. 
The property is privately situated in the smallest of these ancient peaceful villages, and the one that arguably has the best views of all!
Despite the very quiet and dramatic location, the Villa is only a 2 min drive to a local bar/shop, post office and pharmacy and a 5 minute drive from a Pizzeria, and 5 mins from a restaurant too.

Other distances:

• 10 mins - the local market town of Castelnuovo - shops, bars, restaurants, train station, virbrant Thursday morning market .
• 15/20 min drive is Barga the beautiful mediaeval town, with its wonderful architecture, Duomo, very good restaurants, markets under the stars and regular free music.
• 50 mins - The fully walled mediaeval city of Lucca - try cycling around the walls, meandering in shady narrow streets and people watching in the Grand Piazzas while enjoying a drink or a gelato! Or, there are often outdoor concerts with big named performers, and if you prefer nightly opera recitals.
• 1 hr 15 mins - Pisa with its leaning tower and the airport
• 40 mins - the famous Wind Caves  and also  the Canyoning park, where one can jump down waterfalls into beautiful rivers.
• 1 hr 20 mins - The Versilian coast is a good day trip  reached  either via Lucca or more spectacularly by crossing through the Apuan Alps.
• 25 mins - the local Fortress at Verrucole, with stunning views and some interactive activities for the children. Close to the fortress is the Buffardello tree climbing and zip wire park (ideal for both adults and children of all ages with a variety of runs) where one can take a picnic or BBQ and spend the entire day in the welcome shade of the forest.
• Don't forget the lake of Vagli  (with its hidden village submerged by the water) for an afternoon drive, or the lake of Pontecosi, where one can stop for a drink. Some some guests love to swim in the river too ...
• The real beauty of this area is the dramatic mountain scenery, and the hundreds of hilltop villages to explore, endless picnicking opportunities, and the pure peace of a non touristy holiday ......

Airports:

Pisa 75 min.; Florence 1hr 50 min.;Genoa 2 hr. 30 min.; Milan 3 hr. 15 min; Bologna 2 hr. 30 min.