Podere La Gattaia

Immersed in the woods of Casentino, surrounded by firs, oaks and hazels and protected by a secular oak that surrounds it, our most beloved house is the ideal place for those who want to spend a few days in a warm and welcoming atmosphere and to take refuge in nature in an area rich in art and mysticism. In what was once the stable of the farmhouse, my husband and I decided to create an apartment to accommodate those who want to come and share the beauty of these places with us. Finely restored, we paid particular attention to the recovery and reuse of original materials: the manger where animals were fed, the floor and the stone walls, the ceiling with chestnut beams. Being particularly fond of these traditions, we have been working for nothing to be changed; where it was not possible to retrieve, we chose rustic materials online. At the same time, we have created a new and welcoming environment, equipped with all the convenient comforts to be enjoyed: WIFI, dishwasher, fridge freezer, induction plates, large shower. The apartment, about 60 square meters, consists of an open space with living room kitchen and dining table, a double bedroom, a spacious bathroom and a storage room. The self-contained, independent home is annexed to the rest of the inhabited core that is upstairs where we and my husband are, generally present on arrival and departure of guests and / or still available during our stay. Given a recent experience with a guest, we would like to specify the following: since the house is located in the woods, in the middle of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, it is possible to find insects inside the apartment that belong to the surrounding nature and that are part fundamental of the wildlife of this area (ants, spiders, bees, scorpions etc ...). Exterminating these insects would still be impossible, but above all it is our choice not to do it because we are very keen on respecting nature and maintaining the ecosystem. If insects are a problem for you, we strongly suggest that you do not rent our apartment. The property extends for about 3 hectares of land between orchards, abetaies, and oak trees and ends on the footpaths of a lovely mountain creek. It is possible to walk through the whole property through paths that wind through the woods. There is also a large terrace where, during the hot season, you can eat and rest yourself by reading a good book on the deck chair or hammock placed in the middle of the garden, baking on the barbecue and playing ping pong. The self-contained, independent home is annexed to the rest of the inhabited core that is upstairs where we and my husband are, generally present on arrival and departure of guests and / or still available during our stay. For those who want to visit the surrounding places, the possibilities are certainly not lacking: the house, in fact, is right at the beginning of the National Park of Casentino Forests, in full Casentino, from which trekking paths of all the difficulties arise. It is also at the center of a culturally vibrant triangle: the Monastery of Camaldoli, La Pieve and the Castle of Romena and the Chiusi Monastery of La Verna, 3 pearls of rare beauty that are enveloped with intense spirituality. Just a few kilometers away, you can visit the suggestive and fascinating Medieval Castle of Poppi, used by architect Arnolfo di Cambio as a prototype for the construction of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. In the summer, you can cool off by immersing yourself in the waters of the Arno River, just a few miles from the spring from which it flows on Mount Falterona. In winter, ski resorts can be found just a few kilometers away, location Campigna. The accommodation is located five minutes by car from the village of Pratovecchio and can be reached by a provincial road that runs along the bottom of the valley. The first 200 m that connect the Gattaia to the provincial road are a well-maintained dirt road. In the center of the town there are both the railway and the bus station; in case guests wish to arrive by public transport, we will take care of picking them up by car. HEATING COST WITH PELLET STOVE AT CONSUMPTION The security deposit is 100 euros. The cost of cleaning is 50 euros.