Cottage in old chestnut grove set well away from the road

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Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 380 sq m

Popular amenities

Pet-friendly

Fireplace

Kitchen

Barbecue grill

Free WiFi

Washer

Explore the area

Castigione di Garfagnana, Lucca

Sanctuary of San Pellegrino in Alpe11 min drive
Apuan Alps16 min drive
Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park59 min drive
Pisa (PSA-Galileo Galilei)100 min drive

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 3)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Bidet · Toilet · Shower only · Outdoor shower

Spaces

Kitchen

Garden

Dining Area

About this property

Casa Paladini was built in 1904 and has been lovingly restored with all of its original features maintained throughout such as beamed chestnut ceilings and boards, original stone fireplace and chestnut furniture, doors and windows and stone faced interior and exterior. The cottage is set in a chestnut grove along the ancient track connecting Castilgione di Garfagnana with the high mountain villages and pastures above. The closest point reachable by car is 300 metres away, down a green track. The village of Chiozza with its pizzeria is 1.5 km away and the award-winning Castiglione di Garfagnana is 3km away on foot through the forest. Several walking routes start right from the cottage door including a 2km walk to a medieval bridge and waterfall, good for swimming in the summertime. Casa Paladini is an ideal retreat for anyone looking to get away from the noise of the modern world. The only sounds at night are the nearby running stream and wildlife in close proximity to the cottage including wild boar, deer, crickets etc. The owner lives nearby and runs a very small wild camp site during the summer, and is at hand at all times to advise on places to shop, restaurants, walks etc. Campers keep to themselves, and Casa Paladini with its garden is very well defined and private, however you will hear and see campers on the track. Quiet time at the campsite is 11pm. Castilgione with its shops and restaurant is a 30-minute walk down the mountain, and an excellent mobile supermarket comes to within 300 metres of the cottage once a week.
Please note that the cottage is heated only by a wood-burning stove and open fire place - there is no central heating. If you let us know your arrival time we will do our best to have the stove lit for when you arrive. It is important to keep fueling the stove for the cottage to stay warm. In this way the kitchen area is cosy, some heat also goes into the living room where there is also an open fire, but the bedrooms and bathroom upstairs remain cool.
If possible aim to arrive before dark. In wintertime we are flexible about arrival times to facilitate this.

Property manager

Colm Breathnach

Premier Host

Languages

English, French, Italian, Spanish

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Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Pet-friendly

Free WiFi

Outdoor space

Barbecue grill

Washer

Outdoor space

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

This property uses solar energy, plus eco-friendly cleaning products

Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip

Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

We should mention

All guests, including children, must be present at check-in and show their government-issued photo ID card or passport

Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 5000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation

About the area

Castiglione di Garfagnana

Located in Castiglione di Garfagnana, this cottage is in a rural area and on a river. Ethnographic Museum Don Luigi Pellegrini and Museum of Upper Garfagnana are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Sanctuary of San Pellegrino in Alpe and Verrucole Fortress. Travelling with kids? Consider Parco Avventura Selva del Buffardello and Parco Levigliese. Discover the area's water adventures with nearby rafting, or enjoy the great outdoors with mountain biking, mountain climbing and hiking.

Castigione di Garfagnana, Lucca

What's nearby

Sanctuary of San Pellegrino in Alpe - 11 min drive
Duomo - 15 min drive
Apuan Alps - 16 min drive
Verrucole Fortress - 24 min drive
Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park - 59 min drive

Getting around

Camporgiano Poggio Station - 20 min drive

Restaurants

Il Pozzo - 10 min drive
L'Aia di Piero - 14 min drive
Ristorante Pizzeria Il Triti - 14 min drive
La Rocca - 16 min drive
Teatro Alfieri - 13 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Cottage in old chestnut grove set well away from the road pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Cottage in old chestnut grove set well away from the road?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Cottage in old chestnut grove set well away from the road?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Cottage in old chestnut grove set well away from the road located?

Located on the riverfront, this family-friendly cottage is within 9 mi (15 km) of Sanctuary of San Pellegrino in Alpe, Pontecosi Lake and Apuan Alps. Ethnographic Museum Don Luigi Pellegrini and Ariostesca Castle are also within 9 miles (15 km).

9.2

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

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8.0/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.0/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

8.8/10

Listing accuracy

8/10 Good

Mark B.

27 Jul 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Lovely Place

Although set in lovely woodland the property is not quite as private as Home Away website would lead you to expect as there is a campsite very close by (Wild Camping Paladini which you can check out on other websites). However while we stayed it was very peaceful and the cottage had everything you could need except a toaster. Could benefit from maybe a couple of bedside tables (easier to pop your coffee cup on when sitting up in bed and admiring the mountain view from bedroom window!) Bed comfortable as is settee in lounge. There is open fire and stove but as it was very hot during our stay we did not need. Should be cosy enough in cooler weather although the doors have a few holes and gaps and there are curtains to pull across them. Not suitable for kids or those with disability as stairs very steep and no banister. The path down to the cottage from parking area is steep in places and rough - it feels a long way in 30 deg plus heat especially with luggage. There are walks you can do from the cottage to Silico and Castiglione which we would recommend. Also the village of Chiozza above is nice and its a relatively short drive from there up to the Radici pass and San Pelegrino in Alp (great view across from the cafe) from where start various high level mountain walks. Worth the drive to Lago Santo (you can go via Chiozza and Radici pass) a beautiful lake from where you can wander through alpine pastures full of flowers before ascending Monte Giovo 1991m high (takes about 3 and a half hours). Supermarkets in Pieve Foscianna down the hill from Chiozza have everything you require including the gluten free goods which my wife requires. Overall a good location if you are physically fit.

Stayed 10 nights in Jun 2019

8/10 Good

Jill S.

7 Jun 2018

Lovely setting, peaceful.

Good location but not recommended for the unfit due to fairly steep walk up/down from the cottage. Nice to sit and watch bats, owls at night. We were looking for peace and seclusion and this fitted the bill. We noticed them preparing the camp next for visitors and if we had come when a camp was there I think we would have been much less pleased.

Stayed 11 nights in May 2018

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Richard S.

24 Apr 2016

a beautiful tranquil place sensitively restored

great views liked the deer never saw the wild boar but they must have been everywhere to judge by the ground walks wonderful Colm friendly and helpful

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kirsty H.

23 Aug 2015

Perfect getaway from it all holiday

This cottage has been simply and beautifully restored. We loved it the moment we saw it. It is secluded yet within easy reach of any amenities you would want. We found it to be ideally located to reach the many attractions in Garfagnana and was a glorious haven to come back to and chill out. Had great fun with the pizza oven! Our caretaker took great care to make sure everything was perfect for our stay. Excellent customer service from the owner also. thoroughly recommended.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Anna J.

28 Jul 2015

Casa del Tempo

Si vous connaissez le merveilleux livre de Roberto Innocenti et Roberto Piumini CASA DEL TEMPO qui montre, dans une série d'illustrations précises et touchantes, l'évolution d'une propriété paysanne toscane entre 1900 et 1999, et si vous voulez vous transporter dans les temps et habiter dans une de ces images, allez passer une semaine à Casa Paladini. J'y suis allée avec mon père, agé de 75 ans, et ma fille de 6 ans, et nous y sommes passés des vacances très agréables pour nous tous. La forêt tout autour est magnifique, les gens du coin très accueillants, il y a un superbe musée ethnographique tout près, à San Pellegrino in Alpe, et n'oubliez pas de goûter au Vino dei Poderi (un vin local de Camporgiano) qui est un régal.

About the host

Hosted by Colm Breathnach

Colm and friends and family have been living in Garfagnana since 2001 and are still Irish (just about). Colm's four sons have grown up in the area and the family is well integrated into the fabric of local society.

Colm is a musician and has found peace and inspiration whilst restoring Paladini and the other stone houses in the area.

The picture shows Colm with Dasha - one of many international volunteers who came to help in the restoration of these buildings.

Why they chose this property

Colm & family have been restoring stone houses in the area since 2001: this is the jewel! We have managed to bring back three house in the area with the continuous help of international volunteers who have all had their imprint and ideas. This house is ideal for lovers of nature, wildlife, peace & tranquility, and particularly suitable for those who don't mind the 300-metre walk, or who don't mind feeding the wood-burning stove with wood during the winter.

Staying here is like going back in time.

What makes this property unique

We have done our best to retain the original features which make Paladini unique, including all the old chestnut wood, and exposed stone. But the uniqueness is in the location: far away from roads and cars, on an ancient medieval road the house feels a million miles away from the modern world, and yet Castiglione and Chiozza villages are just a short walk away.