We - eight adults and four children - had the great fortune to spend a week in this beautiful house. It was simply perfect and exceeded all our expectations!
Charming, spacious house with style
The "Orbaci" farmhouse combines rustic Tuscan charm with modern
comfort. The loving renovation, wooden ceilings, natural stone
walls, and stylish details create a warm, welcoming atmosphere
where you immediately feel at home.
Plenty of space for everyone - indoors and
outdoors
The bedrooms are spacious and cozy - perfectly arranged for our
large group. The children enjoyed their shared room, while the
adults appreciated the privacy of the double rooms, some with
en-suite bathrooms.
Large kitchen & dining areas for shared
meals
The fully equipped kitchen delighted us - perfect for cooking
together! The long evenings at the large dining table, with Tuscan
food and views of nature, were unforgettable. The shady outdoor
dining table was also a highlight - ideal for breakfast or a glass
of wine in the evening.
Highlight: the private pool with mountain
views
Of course, the pool was the heart of the experience for the
children - and honestly, for us adults too! Swimming with views of
the mountains, relaxing on the lawn, or simply playing - it doesn't
get any better.
Arrival 7th June 2025
Our party of 3 adults and 6 children aged 11-16 stayed there for a week in June 2024. The hosts were very nice, and the house was beautiful and tastefully decorated with good spaces for larger groups both inside and outside, and it had a fantastic view. Nearby, there is canyoning and many lovely hikes in the valley and high up in the mountains. We explored trails and paths directly from the house, including past the nearby castle. From a nearby village, there is a trail that goes above the tree line, with miles of views all the way down to the Mediterranean Sea. The town of Castelnuovo had a charming old town center with several restaurants and places serving delicious homemade gelato.
Date of arrival - 22 June 2024
We had a wonderful holiday with extended family in this lovely well maintained property. The grounds and pool are beautiful and the children loved it. Alan and Mel were excellent hosts and made us very welcome. We would definitely recommend Orbaci for a great relaxing holiday.
The Broun Family July 2023
A beautiful and well equipped home in stunning surroundings - we had an amazing stay and would love to come again. Especially for Mel's delicious cooking! Thanks for everything!
The Green Family July 2023
Orbaci was a real find. It was initially on our shortlist of around a dozen Tuscan Retreats properties in the Garfagnana area (we needed a property sleeping 11 ) but it was not initially available for both weeks we were after. Fortunately that changed & we were able to book it. Our 5th time in the area & 4th with Tuscan Retreats. This was a special holiday to celebrate Granny Signorini's 80th! It was ideal. Close to the town of Castelnouvo di Garfagnana itself (a ~20min walk or 5 min drive) but also quiet / secluded enough. The property is very well laid out (note the apartment is not directly accessible from the main building, it has an independent access) & also very well stocked, with ample crockery / cutlery etc. All good quality stuff too. Alan & Mel were fantastic hosts. From the initial meet & greet, and 'information download', to supplying a welcome pack and some further goodies during our stay. We also benefited from their further wealth of knowledge throughout our stay. The property has great views and is impeccably maintained, with Alan visiting regularly to carry out checks, maintenance etc. on the pool & gardens. The pool itself is easy to access, all one level, has shaded areas & has a shower adjacent to it. There's loads to do in the local area. We'd recommend a visit to the Fortress (almost next door!) Castelnouvo di Garfagnana itself, Barga, Lucca, and places like La Spezia / Cinque Terra a wee bit further afield. There's some great places to drink / eat out in Castelnouvo di Garfagnana - Da Gherardo for pizza & the Grind House (drinks & food). Coletti / La Capannina in Roggio (30mins) and more! For shopping, there's both Conad & Carrefour in Castelnouvo di Garfagnana or a bigger Conad at Gallicano. We would highly recommend Orbaci if you are after a big property close to one of the larger villages / towns in the area. Thanks again Mel & Alan & all the very best.
Arrival July 2023
We (6 adults, 5 children) spent a week in the beautiful house, which we can fully recommend. The house is very well maintained and excellently equipped. The pool is large and well-kept. In Castelnuovo di Carfagnana you will also find everything you need. The environment is very quiet. We saw deer and foxes in the immediate vicinity of the house. At the same time, this also means: If you are looking for Halligalli, you are definitely not in the right place here. In our opinion, a car is also a "must have".
Arrival 23 July 2022
We had a nice time in beautiful surroundings in a lovely house. House is fully equipped and has a nice swimming pool. Last was also necessary because of the high temperatures���� this week! !️
Arrival 16th July 2022
5/5
The house is beautifully restored, very well equipped, tastefully, yet practically furnished and the pool is clean and very enjoyable. We had a great week here for a get-together with the American branch of the family and were made feel welcome from the get-go. The owners, Alan and Mel are extremely helpful and kind and we enjoyed hearing about the history of the house and the grounds. The kids spent a lot of time in the pool or playing table tennis and we did a few choice trips to nearby towns and sights. But mostly we just spent time together and enjoyed the fantastic views of the mountains and the peace and quiet of the countryside with a glass of wine on the terrace. Perfect vacation!
Arrival 4th June
