Friendly Bed and Breakfast with Spectacular View Over Barga
- Minimum stay:3 nights
- Internet:Yes
- Pets allowed:Yes
- Wheel chair accessible:No
My wife Marijke and I have spent many years working and travelling in Europe, the Americas, Asia and New Zealand. Our plan, upon retiring, was to set up a B&B in Italy, offering as hosts the best of the hospitality we've experienced as guests in our travels.
We spent ten months looking for the right location, and we think we found it in Barga (province of Lucca, Tuscany). The house we bought and restored, on a slope overlooking the old town and the Apuan Alps, is only 1.5 km away from the centre of Barga, and benefits from a spectacular view over the 1000 year old Barga Cathedral and the Pania della Croce mountain.
The property includes the house proper, where we live and serve breakfast, a garden, an olive grove and 4 terraces. There is also the 'Capanno', a stone building nearby where 2 of the B&B rooms are situated, one of which is the Bellavista unit. The Bellavista has a double bed, an ensuite bathroom, private entrance and terrace as well as a kitchenette for guests wishing a self-catering arrangement. Satellite TV and Wi-Fi connection are equally available. Imagine sipping a drink while you watch the sun setting behind Monte Forato (the Mountain-with-a-hole, an attraction on its own) and later taking a stroll to Barga Vecchia and enjoy dinner in one of the Restaurants serving genuine Garfagnana dishes. Walking to Barga Centre will take 20 min over a scenic route along a small paved road with no traffic. If you are too tired for that, you can drive there in 3 min.
Barga offers a unique combination for lovers of Nature (a well maintained network of mountain trails: Monte Giovo, Lago Santo, Monte Forato...), of History/Art (Duomo di Barga, Fortezza delle Verrucole...), of Gastronomy (Prosciutto Bazzone, Funghi Porcini,...) and of Music (Barga Jazz Festival, Valle del Serchio Opera Festival...).
My personal top three attractions in Barga:
1. Hike to Monte Forato, the mountain with the hole ( 2 hrs walk)
2. Get your feet wet in the Orrido di Botri canyon (2 hrs walk)
3. Visit the old Via Pascoli bakery (Regiobello) on Saturday morning (pane di patate: a medieval scent that will take you back a few hundred years in time).
We are looking forward to meet nice and interesting people from all over the world, thus in a way continuing our travels and deepening our understanding of other Cultures.
If you have never been in this part of Tuscany, we'll be glad to share our experience of it with you.
Please visit our website if you want to learn more about our B&B and about dates available for booking. As we have just opened, right now many dates are still available, and we would advise you take advantage of this! Note that besides the Bellavista Room the B&B has 2 more rooms available, please ask for more information.
Note that we'll be closed from October to March.
Keywords: B&B, self catering, mini-apartments, hiking, walking, nature, view, mountains, medieval town, gastronomy, Tuscany, mushrooms, wine, olive oil, globetrotters, cooking corses
Property Type
- House
Accommodation Type
- Bed And Breakfast
Meals
- Guests Provide Their Own Meals
Suitability
Bedrooms
- 1 Bedrooms, Sleeps 2, Beds for 2
- Bedroom 1
Bathrooms
- 1.0 Bathrooms
- Bathroom 1
Kitchen & Dining
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Cooking Utensils
Amenities
- Parking Off Street
- Linens Provided
Entertainment
- Television
Communications
- Wireless Internet
Outdoor Features
- Outdoor Grill
- Deck / Patio
Location & View
Activities
- Churches
- Mountain Climbing
- Hiking
- Spelunking
- Rock Climbing
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Mountain Biking
- Medical Services
- Massage Therapist
- Laundromat
- Hospital
- Groceries
- ATM/Bank
- Sight Seeing
- Walking
- Scenic Drives
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Museums
- Restaurants
- Mountaineering
- Tennis
Other Activities
Reviews
Write a review-
True Tuscany experience
True Tuscany experience
- Guest mclasslady
- Date of stay 04/02/12
- Review Submitted 06/08/12
My husband and I stayed 6 nights in this wonderful bed and breakfast. An amazing experience. Pietro & Marijke were the best host you could ever want. So friendly and great advice on where to go and what to do. The view of the mountains will take your breath away. Breakfast each morning was delicious with some local eggs and homemade ricotta. Just a true experience of the Tuscany culture. Town is just a short walk away. Nice just to take a stroll and enjoy. I felt we made some life long friends with both of them We will be returning one day and will stay here again.Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+.
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The best part of our Tuscan vacation
The best part of our Tuscan vacation
- Guest Lamelia
- Date of stay 05/02/12
- Review Submitted 06/04/12
La Serra di Barga is one of the best B&B's we have ever experienced - and the high point of our 2 week vacation to Italy. The view from our bedroom window was outstanding, the breakfast every day was wonderful (well beyond the typical Italian coffee & pastry), the hosts (Pietro & Marijke) were welcoming, helpful and made us feel right at home. It was a wonderful change from the hustle & bustle of Rome and Siena. The room was very clean, the bed was extremely comfortable and there was refreshments waiting for us when we arrived. Pietro was very helpful with directions, ideas for sightseeing etc. We would highly recommend this B&B to anyone wanting to visit Pisa, Lucca, Barga or any of the surrounding areas. We travelled to Pisa & Lucca by train with no problems. Thanks Pietra & Marijke (& Flip - the cat!)Recommended for: Sightseeing, tourists without a car, families with young children, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.
Owner response: Thank you Leah for these nice words. You're too kind! Pietro
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Wonderful
Wonderful
- Guest Ken & Angela
- Date of stay 09/18/11
- Review Submitted 10/15/11
Staying at this B&B was more like staying with good friends, Pietro & Marijke greeted us on arrival and we felt at home throughout our stay. They were very informative as to things to do and see not only in Barga, but in the surrounding area as well. The breakfast provided was always special with homemade jams and local cheese and meats. Our room was very nice, the view from the patio like a postcard. The kitchen fully equipped to cook any meal, although, using Pietro’s recommendation’s we ate most meals in town. We stayed for only four nights, and wish we could have stayed longer, very easily the nicest B&B we have ever stayed at.Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers.
Owner response: thank you Ken and Angela for these fine words. We enjoyed your stay at La Serra di Barga just as much. Pietro & Marijke
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Guest comment entered by owner
- Guest Maryam and Sepand
- Date of stay 05/29/11
- Review Submitted 06/13/11
Maryam and Sepand May 2011 said... Dear Marijke and Pietro, Thanks for everything, the nice advices, so good and variable breakfast, your patience with the kids. The house is extremely beautiful and your warm smile makes the journey so agreeable. From the instance we left your house, the kids were missing their room! We are looking forward to come back soon. With our best wishes,Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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Guest comment entered by owner
- Guest Laura and Renato
- Date of stay 06/02/11
- Review Submitted 06/13/11
Laura and Renato June 2011 said... Abbiamo trascorso due giorni perfetti: luoghi pieni di fascino (non vedevo più le lucciole da anni!), una camera con una vista spettacolare sulle montagne, la piacevole compagnia di Pietro e Marijke, ottimi padroni di casa.Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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Guest comment entered by owner
- Guest Poul and Inga
- Date of stay 05/06/11
- Review Submitted 06/13/11
INGA AND POUL MAY 2011 said... EXCLUSIVE and modern boarding - each room with its own terrace OUTSTANDING views and nature from wherever you are EXTREMELY friendly atmosphere VARIED and good breakfast SHORT walking distance to interesting Barga DEFINITELY to be recommendedDid you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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Guest comment entered by owner
- Guest John and Maureen
- Date of stay 05/19/11
- Review Submitted 06/13/11
John and Maureen May 2011 said … Dear Pietro and Marijke, Thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality! You made our trip to Barga unforgettable. The Panoramica room is comfortable and beautiful. The view of the "dead man" (we prefer to think of him as sleeping) is spectacular. Breakfast was fresh, delicious and beautifully served. But the highlight of our stay was meeting you. We left feeling we had made new friends. We look forward to coming again someday. All our best,Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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Guest comment entered by owner
- Guest Peter and Jane
- Date of stay 05/24/11
- Review Submitted 06/13/11
Peter and Jane May 2011 said... Dear Marijke and Pietro Staying at La Serra di Barga was out-of-this world. It's a magical place and you have created something very special. Thank you for everything!Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
Rates
| Dates | Nightly | Wknd Night | Weekend | Weekly | Monthly * | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Rate 3 night min stay |
€55 | €50 Fri, Sat, Sun |
€350 | €1400 | ||
Additional information about rental rates
see our cancellation rules on our website
25 % deposit (Paypal) at the time of booking
75 % upon arrival (cash) or v ia Paypal a few days before arrival
Additional Fees and Taxes:
our rates are all inclusive of fees, taxes, etc. they remain the same throughout the season (April to September)
Before paying contact the owner to confirm payment details.
Call the owner directly to confirm reservation details and pay with an approved method (credit card, check, or bank transfer), to protect your payment up to $1,000.
Calendar
Sorry this information is not available. Please contact the owner/manager for more information.
Owner info
Year Purchased: 2008
About the owner: My name is Pietro. I was born and raised in Crema (Lombardia), took a degree in physics at Pavia University. My first job was in the Netherlands. There I met Marijke, my wife, on the bus from Bergen to Petten. We soon discovered that we both liked travels and adventure. In 1973 we emigrated to Canada and spent 6 months backpacking from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island. We loved it! After working 2 years in Montreal, we went travelling again and spent all of 1976 in Central and South America. Marijke, who is Dutch, has worked as a secretary, a translator and an air hostess, and I workedc as an IT specialist. During our travels we have enjoyed not only visiting the natural and historical highlights, but also meeting the local people as well as other fellow travellers. Some of them have become our friends for life. Later we settled in Ivrea, Northern Italy, and started a family. We now have two wonderful grown up daughters, one living in the Philippines (Marine Conservation), the other one in Switzerland (Human Rights). From 1980 to 2005 we lived and worked in Luxembourg. Besides travelling, we love cooking [Marijke], gardening, making jam [Pietro], hiking and visiting the Barga Jazz Club on friday night. Our black Labrador (Tosca) died recently and we are hoping to soon get a new dog. We also have a cat, called Flip. We speak English, Italian, Dutch, German, French and some Spanish. We are looking forward to meeting you in our B&B!
Why the Owner Chose Barga:
This is actually our home, where we offer accomodation to guests as well. We had lived for 25 years in Luxembourg. Upon retirement we wanted to have an activity to keep us busy and be socially active by meeting other people. We wanted a place with a good climate, not too touristy, not too crowded, where we could meet Italians and expats alike. Somewhere surrounded by nature, with a large garden, yet not far from a town. It had to be within walking distance of at least a Restaurant, a Bakery, a Café and a Newsstand. It had to be a house with a historic character, and large enough for a B&B. The town nearby had to be lively and its inhabitants friendly. We looked at 127 properties before deciding for La Serra di Barga!
The Unique Benefits at this Bed And Breakfast:
Getting up in the morning and enjoy the view from the window. BBQ in the shade of the persimmon tree. Harvest the olives and take them to the olive press for making oil. Go for a mountain hike on the Appennine meadows. Walk to Barga town and enjoy a typical Garfagnana meal at a Restaurant. Sit in a Café with an Espresso while reading today's paper. Attend one of the gastronomic festivals in the surrounding villages. Walk back to the house at night amidst fireflies. Go for a swim at the Albiano open air swimming pool. Go for a drink at the Barga Jazz Club on friday night. Make jam with the fruit of our orchyard. Go for a bicycle ride down in the valley. Go on a mushroom picking expedition up in the woods above our house. Watch a play at the Barga Theatre (Teatro dei Differenti). Go to Wanda's for a real all-natural Italian icecream.
Contact us
- Primary: ++39 3401270553
- Secondary: ++39 0583722304
- Tertiary: +352 358622 from October to March
Links to more information:
Photos
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main house seen from the garden; Barga's 1000 yr old cathedral in the background
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Terrace of Bellavista room
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stairs between house and capanno
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Bellavista room
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Bellavista kitchenette
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Panoramica room
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welcome drink
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Tavernetta room
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a magic view from La Serra di Barga
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cooking course at La Serra
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Barga's swimming pool
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Ponte del Diavolo (near Barga)
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Bellavista terrace
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entrance to Bellavista
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Capanno: Kitchenette and Bellavista room (Gr.floor);
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Bellavista room
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the owners (Pietro and Marijke) at the house front door
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Panoramica room
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entrance Tavernetta room
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the shepherd (one of our neighbours) passing in front of La Serra di Barga
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religious procession in Barga Vecchia
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Pania della Croce and Pania Secca from Trassilico
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eremo di Colomini
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This listing was first published here in 2011.
Date last modified - Thursday, April 04, 2013
++39 3401270553