La Vecchia - a beautiful Tuscan village house

La Vecchia is a thoughtfully renovated three-level traditional Tuscan village house, built into the mountain side in the heart of the village of Cardoso. A place to relax and revive, La Vecchia provides a large living room with mountain views, a traditional open fireplace, terracotta tiles and chestnut beams, a beautiful marble-topped kitchen with dining area, two lovely cosy bedrooms, and two small terraces and a terraced garden for day or evening relaxation. La Vecchia offers several different spaces for your holiday relaxation. The terrace is a lunchtime sun trap and a quiet place for a private evening drink. The bench on the entry terrace, at the bottom of the steps, is a perfect place for your morning tea or coffee, looking out over quiet Piazza Vecchia. Views from the living room window take your gaze to the mountain range opposite, with the occasional eagle circling above. The kitchen offers a fantastic place for preparing the delicious Tuscan food you will find in the region. Well-equipped, with new appliances and a stunning Carrara marble work surface, the kitchen has been designed by and for those that love cooking. The kitchen provides a dining table for your group to enjoy sociable meals, along with a reading nook lined with cushions and mountain rock. The living room, with chestnut beams, terracotta tiles, a piano, guitars and many books and games, is a great place to relax, whether it is after a busy day sightseeing in Lucca, doing adventure activities in Garfagnana, or quietly watching the sun move round the mountain side from the comfort of the sofa. Working from home is catered for with a stylish desk and shelf space, an ergonomic kneeling stool and a monitor and printer available. 50 metres down the alley, you will find a terraced garden looking out over village houses to the mountainside, capturing the afternoon sun as it moves round. Use the picnic baskets to carry your lunch there, and enjoy the views. I am a proactive host, available online for advice and suggestions and to answer any questions you may have before your stay. While staying at La Vecchia, our local contact is on hand to assist with flexible check in and out, and to provide support and suggestions for helping to make your stay perfect. Cardoso is an incredibly welcoming and friendly village, perched high in the hills of Garfagnana, a protected national park area, rich with history and culture. The village has a restaurant and bar - ideal places for al fresco drinking and dining on warm evenings, with beautiful views of the valleys and mountain beyond. The church sits at the top of the village, its bell sounding out the time for the villagers every hour. Narrow alleys and stone steps trace the paths around the village, and country paths take you further into the surrounding area; to the woods, the cross at the top of the mountain, and the old mill and waterfall. Barga can be seen directly across the valley, at the same height as Cardoso, on the opposite mountain. This is a lively town in summer, full of musical and other cultural events, a 20-minute drive from Cardoso. Lucca is ideal for a day trip by car or train, and its ancient walls are a beautiful place to stroll, whatever time of year, pre or post a delicious Lucchese lunch. Other day trip options are Pisa, Florence and the beaches around Viareggio. The Garfagnana is an excellent place for walking, river swimming and cycling, and there are a variety of opportunities for adventure activities such as canyoning. In the winter months, Abetone is a day trip skiing destination. Cardoso is reached by a 4km drive up an interesting, winding, but safe road, giving you glimpses of the village as you approach. Parking is free to all, at the entrance of the village by the bar-restaurant. The nearest train station is Fornaci di Barga, at the bottom of the hill; a pre-booked taxi can collect you and bring you up to Cardoso if you don't have a hire car. Pisa and Florence are the closest airports, both with several hire car companies. Gallicano, 6 kilometres along the valley, provides a large supermarket and several small independent food shops can be found there, and also in Fornaci di Barga and Barga. A weekly market provides lovely local produce in these three towns too.