‘Casa Lucia’ Authentic Italian family home

At the foot of the medieval village of Cardoso you will find Casa Lucia. There is free parking in the little square beside the house. This is convenient for shopping trips. However there is also communal parking at the entrance to the village which is about 5 minutes away. Beyond Casa Lucia you will find a beautiful Piazza which has such a narrow entrance that no cars can enter it. If you are looking for a quiet, safe family place to relax and practise some mindfulness Cardoso is ideal. This typical little mountain house is a two up/two down. It retains the charming character of an old building while offering all modern amenities. On the ground floor you will find the modernised kitchen with dining area. It is ideal for cooking meals with the delicious local produce on a four hob electric cooker and coffee machine and mini oven are also supplied for a quick roast dinner. The fully modernised bathroom is also on the ground floor and includes a bath/shower. On the first floor there is the original kitchen and dining table for the cooler autumn and spring months. The pellet stove makes this space beautifully cosy. The living room (which includes a bed/sofa in case you would prefer to sleep on the first floor) is a beautiful, space oozing character. The tiny balcony gets sun in the morning and is a beautiful place to breath in the mountain air over the first coffee of the day. On the second floor are two bedrooms. Bunk beds and a wardrobe are there for the younger guests and the 'tour de force' of Casa Lucia is the double bedroom with the original bedstead and the most spectacular views over the Apennine alps which welcome our guests every morning. It is a place to switch off and enjoy the moment. You will be able to enjoy the privacy of the entire house during your stay. You will be met by the lovely local Paola, who will give you the keys and see you off. Paola speaks Italian. I am not always in Cardoso but I speak German, French and English if you have any queries prior to or during your stay. I can supply you with my mobile number if needs arise. Cardoso is a medieval hilltop village which is situated at the very beginning of the Garfagnana region of Tuscany. It is a place to wander around on foot, through the narrow shaded streets and paths. Before long you will find the two cafe bars strategically placed at the foot and top of the village. Wifi can be used at these locations over a cup of the best Italian coffee. If you are sure of foot and a little more adventurous, but don't want to get in to a car, you can proceed to the very top of the village and do one of the many excellent hikes in the mountains. One particularly splendid walk is to the foot of the cliff, La Penna which overlooks the village. There, tucked away at the foot of La Penna is a cave. It is said to have been used by the Etruscans and artefacts have been found there which bare witness to possible fertility rituals! If, however, you would like to go further afield, the beautiful city of Barga is 20 minutes away in the car and the beautiful city of Lucca is 45 minutes down the road. Siena, Florence and San Gimignano can be easily reached either by car or by coach and train. The Mediterranean Sea can be reached in 50 minutes and a day trip to the Cinque Terre or to the Leaning Tower of Pisa is also possible. Cardoso is well connected to the Serchio valley during the school term time. There is a regular bus service. From Fornaci di Barga you can take the train or bus for trips to the famous Tuscan cities of Florence and Siena. During the summer the bus service is less regular and a car is needed. If you would like a trip to the market in Gallicano on Wednesday mornings, the local bus service leaves the bar and returns a few hours later. (See bus timetable for details). Guests will pay heating and light according to use. (In the summer months, solar panels heat the water) There is a laundry charge of €10 pp for sheets and towels. This is payable on arrival.