B&B Bcialupo - Room La Mansarda

We are Sarah and Federico, Dutch and Italian, with two daughters Sophie (6) and Madelief (4). We opted to live in the countryside after many busy years in the city, first in Bergamo, then in Milan, and spent almost as many years searching for a house in the hills of Piacenza and Pavia. Eventually in 2013 we found our dream farmhouse. A beautiful house with a garden, surrounded by a panorama of such charm that it seduced us into making it into a B&B! La mansarda is located on the first floor (previously an attic) and has remained authentic with the old bricks and beams. It has a spacious bedroom, (with room for a cot), a bathroom, and is furnished with antique furniture. Each room has its own bed linen and towels for the bathrooms. Fresh towels are provided as required. On request we can provide a cot with bedding. Those guests with a longer stay can use a kitchen with refrigerator and utensils (located in the barn). All guests have free access to wifi, parking and a storage area for bicycles and motorbikes; our beautiful garden and swimmingpool makes a relaxing spot to rest, read a book or enjoy the amazing view or a glass of nice wine. Your children can play on the swings and trampoline, and with the toys of our children. Breakfast is served in the living room or, if you prefer, in a shady spot in the garden and consists of a typical Italian breakfast made with ingredients from the region, such as tarts, biscuits, yoghurt, muesli and bread with jam or honey, accompanied by tea, coffee and fruit juices. OLTREPO PAVESE This region comprises an area bordering with Lombardy, Liguria, Piedmont and Emilia Romagna, where the landscape, the culture and the history of those counties form a unique blend. Ideally positioned on a major trading and transit route, it also soon became a favourite place for recreational pursuits by the local nobles – activities that are still appreciated by today’s visitors. The hilly region is characterized by a relatively dry climate in winter and an agreeable climate in summer. These local characteristics make it a suitable region for the production of grapes and delicious wines. Not for nothing does it assume the shape of a bunch of grapes. Based on surface area, Oltrepò is nowadays the second largest region of Italy dedicated to wine. It is an oasis of tranquility, yet just a stone’s throw from Milan, with beautiful nature, art, centuries old traditions and deightful delicacies. Oltrepò Pavese is a country rich in history, art and culture, offering castles and forts located in the hills. Famous is the village of Zavattarello with its beautiful panorama view and the castles of Montalto Pavese, Valverde, Torre degli Alberi and Pietragavina. Still even today in the province of Pavia there are the rice fields of Lomellinae, the famous Certosa and, in Pavia, the Church of St. Augustine and the ancient university. In the nearby Vigevano you can visit the beautiful Piazza Ducale, the castle and the mill of Mora Bassa with the famous machines of Leonardo da Vinci. Only 15 minutes from Oltrepò Pavese is Val Tidone, in the province of Piacenza, where in the Middle Ages many castles rose to defend the region from attacks from the border region Oltrepò Pavese. Examples of these are Rocca d’Olgisio (Val Tidone), the fortress of Agazzano (Val Luretta), and the castle and the village of Rivalta (Trebbia). In Val Tidone and the neighboring Val Staffora there are also several protected areas, for example the park Le Folaghe of Casei Gerola, Lungavilla Park, nature reserve Monte Alpe, the Alpine Botanical Garden of Petra Corva and Monte Penice. ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN In Pavese there are many activities for children to rediscover the countryside, including the source and the processing of food, through contact with nature, animals and farm life. Among these activities are outings on a donkey, visits to goats and deer farms, apicultural-, agricultural- and horticultural centers, riding schools, parks, forests, rivers and mountains, all allowing visitors to admire the animals and to enjoy beautiful walks in unspoilt countryside. There are countless special hikes for both adults and children which we gladly recommend on request.