Location: Varese Ligure, Cinque Terre Area, Liguria, Italy, Europe (In nature reserve near Riviera Ligure, Cinque Terre, Genoa)
Accommodations: Villa, 2 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 2 Baths (Sleeps 8)
Keywords: Villa
"We have returned from Italy, having had a moving and memorable trip, Le Moggie being the highlight. It is absolutely beautiful and serene. We were amazed and pleased by the spaciousness, the exquisite taste in the design both inside and outside, the lushness of the forest and farms and something else, hard to put into words, that reflects the beauty and balance that is Italy." Ron Veronda 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 ( For more guest comments, please see our website, link is below )
Our sixteenth century, stone villa is very privately situated in a national park on a mountainside overlooking chestnut forests and distant medieval villages located in Liguria, Italy´s most mountainous and forested province. "Le Moggie" is a rare place where you can find true privacy and tranquility in an unspoiled region of northern Italy, which in 1999 received the first ever European Community award for the highest environmental quality of life in all of Europe.
Le Moggie has been completely restored and is furnished throughout with local antiques. Hiking paths and wonderful views abound near "Le Moggie", which is located on a private road. The air is refreshing and pure and a government-certified mineral water spring feeds the house. No other houses are visible nearby, only across the valley, in the distance. The days are quiet, and the stars, seen from the terraces on a moonless night, are breathtaking for their clarity and abundance.
The medieval town of Varese Ligure, just 6 miles (10 kilometers ) from Le Moggie, is the old regional capital of Liguria and has been declared a patrimony of mankind by Unesco because of its many beautiful old buildings and squares.
Varese offers extensive shopping and banking facilities, a market, an Olympic-sized pool, and some of the best restaurants we have tried anywhere, serving Ligurian specialties such as pasta with pesto, ravioli, porcini mushrooms, game, chestnut pasta with pinoli sauce and other delicacies.
During August, Varese mounts a superb open-air opera festival in the charming square behind the town castle. In spring and fall, the nearby Vara river offers whitewater rafting and there are also many excellent riding facilities in the area.
The elegant Riviera resorts, Portofino, Lerici, the Cinque Terre and Sestri Levante, are daytrips, Sestri is just 16 miles ( 27 kilometers from Varese Ligure ) while Parma, Genoa the medieval jewel Sarzana, and Tuscany are also wonderful day trips.
Villa le Moggie is 10 kilometres from the town of Varese Ligure, which is 27 kilometers, or 16 miles from the sea in the nature preserve Alta Val di Vara. We are on a semi private road about 1 kilometer off the asphalted, narrow and winding main road leading up our mountain. Please be aware that Liguria is Italy´s most mountainous region and is characterized by these very winding and very narrow roads.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Linens Provided
- Off Street Parking
- Wood Fireplace
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Double Bed
- Twin/Single Bed
- Convertible Bed
- Entertainment
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- Balcony
- View/Location
- Mountain View
- Communications
- Telephone
- Other Amenities
- Pets sometimes allowed, ask us re the internet access which is dial up, no computer provided
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly
- Kid Friendly
- Activities
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Horseback Riding
- Rafting
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Restaurants
- Museums
- Other Activities
- spectacular hiking trails with maps
Rate Details (In Euros)
Apr, May, Oct .. €875/week
Jun, Jul, Sep .. €975/week
August 1275/week
15% off on stays of 3 weeks or more
50% of rental fee is due at time of booking to hold reservation.
100 security deposit and balance are due 2 wks. before stay prior to arrival.
100 euro laundry and cleaning fee per stay.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 1985
Property Photos
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- front of restored Villa le Moggie - Varese Ligure, Liguria, Italy Travel & Tourism - Gorgeous Stone Villa in Award Winning Area Near Riviera!
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- Partial view of huge 20 X 20 foot lower living room - Varese Ligure, Liguria, Italy Travel & Tourism - Gorgeous Stone Villa in Award Winning Area Near Riviera!
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- Vista from Le Moggie - Varese Ligure, Liguria, Italy Travel & Tourism - Gorgeous Stone Villa in Award Winning Area Near Riviera!
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- kitchen
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- upper bedroom
Traveler Reviews (16)
Exceeded all expecation
Guest: Clarissa A.
Date of Stay: 08/27/11
Review Submitted: 09/27/11
I was very happy with my stay at Le Moggie! It exceeded all expectation and it was absolutely the best vacation I have ever had! The pace was just right. We did a lot of walking around, near the house, near Varese Ligure, and the Parco de Aveto. For the most part we stayed in the area around Varese Ligure: though we did visit Sarzana, Lerici, Luna, Cinque Terre and Genova. Paths near the house were wonderful. Along the path which is reached by leaving the house, and turning right up the hill instead of down into Valletti, we made the acquaintance of several friendly elderly Ligurian ladies. We also ate at most of the restaurants in VL. I think the Gallo Nero was my favorite. There is a grocery in town which has everything we needed to cook at home when we preferred to do that. I loved the different foods we were able to sample especially the different pestos and pastas. I liked croxetti/crozetti which is a type of pasta I had not seen before coming to Liguria. I have been researching croxetti and apparently you can buy a croxetti stamp from a man with a small shop behind the red cross near the carabinieri. I did not know this while there or I would have bought one (we didn't hook up internet at the house so less ability to research things / waste time -it was actually a relief to be "unplugged."). I also met the gentleman who runs the leather shop in town, and he made me a beautiful handbag to my specifications. The handbag is of exquisite quality. My husband and I were able to relax and we loved all aspects of our trip (except maybe driving on those mountain roads, but we got used to it!) Thank you so much for sharing Le Moggie with us. We would love to visit again.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, romantic getaway, age 55+.
Stay at Le Moggie
Guest: gordon d.
Date of Stay: 08/14/11
Review Submitted: 09/11/11
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our recent two-week stay at Le Moggie, which is a superb house, in a superb location, in a superb part of Italy. The house is exceptionally well resourced offering everything you may need during your stay, and is very attractively furnished in a variety of interesting vernaculars. The location is excellent offering appropriate isolation and good hiking, but just 15 minutes from Varese Ligure which offers all the amenities you may require, including two very good bars and supermarkets. And this part of Liguria is well-positioned for important regional sites, assuming you want to take the trouble to leave the house! Dr & Mrs Gordon Downie, Cardiff, UK.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway, age 55+.
You Will Love This House
Guest: Anne
(Decatur, TX)
Date of Stay: 05/23/11
Review Submitted: 06/21/11
Our week at Le Moggie was way too short. The house is wonderful and just exactly as it's pictured on the website. Everything we needed for the kitchen was there, the beds were comfortable, everything was clean and in order. We actually felt like pinching ourselves the first morning when we had breakfast on the terrace and looked at the hills surrounding us. Don't miss this house! It's a once in a lifetime experience. We enjoyed the opportunity to spend time in Varese Ligure, and we made side trips to the Cinque Terre and Lucca, as well as stopping in Genova on our way back to Milan. But mostly we relaxed, ate, walked, and drove through the little hillside towns around us. It was a great trip!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.
La Dolce Vita
Guest: American couple living in Berlin
(Berlin, Germany)
Date of Stay: 05/14/11
Review Submitted: 06/05/11
"We highly recommend this wonderful holiday location to experience another world that almost seems like a fantasy. What was amazing was the way that the place grew on us, day by day, until at the end of the holiday we wanted to offer to buy it so we would not have to leave. Unfortunately our jobs/lives called us back. We were also transformed by the experience of our week there, and have not stopped thinking about it since (now four weeks later). We looked about five years longer when we left, after eating the wonderful healthy food and breathing the fantastic clean air, and soaking in the relaxing atmosphere. We could see for miles around - views of mountains and trees and sun and fog that mesmerized us. There we were happy to just hang out on the patio, for our meals, and to rest in between. Sunrise and sunset were stunning. The villagers were very friendly and helpful, your caretaker immediately responsive when we locked our keys in the laundry room, and the grocery store full of delightful smells and tastes. When we could tear ourselves away, we were able to visit the amazing historic coastal towns that we've seen in the movies. Next time two weeks!"
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, pet owners, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.
Ligurian vacation
Guest: Liz
(Houston, Texas)
Date of Stay: 09/18/10
Review Submitted: 10/12/10
We had a lovely time at Le Moggie and in Italy. The first week the weather was warm and we took several day trips to the coastal towns recommended by the owners.. The second week the weather was cool and wet and we stayed closer to home with the fireplace and beautiful walks. We loved the restaurants in Varese Ligure and the people were so patient with our lack of Italian. The bakery was our favorite place. It was a relaxing and rejuvenating vacation that we will long remember. The owners were very helpful in answering all our questions and providing us with a great deal of information about the area.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, romantic getaway, families with teenagers.
Le Moggie
Guest: Rex
(Townsend, Tennessee USA)
Date of Stay: 07/11/10
Review Submitted: 09/25/10
While at Le Moggie we spent many warm summer days exploring the Cinque Terre and other costal regions along the Italian Riviera and also took side trips to Milan and Florence. But we began each morning with spectacular mountain vistas from the multiple decks of Le Moggie and ended each evening in the cool of the majestic mountains enjoying a glass of wine and gazing at beautiful star-lit skies. We actually felt as though we were getting two different vacations at the same time! The quaint little villages nearby and the people who reside there added to the old-world charm of our time at Le Moggie. Merchants and shop owners of the markets, stores, and restaurants in the nearest village even knew us when we came. We met some very friendly and memorable people during our two-week stay. The precise driving directions and suggestions regarding places to go and things to do offered by the owners of Le Moggie proved to be accurate and useful information to us as first-time visitors. Le Moggie offered our family a great adventure and a wonderful vacation and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay there.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+.
Italian countryside, amazing house and view!
Guest: Matt
(Minneapolis, MN )
Date of Stay: 09/11/10
Review Submitted: 09/18/10
We loved Le Moggie. Exceeded all of our high expectations. We stayed 5 nights in September of 2010 (wish we could have stayed a month). Best vacation we have ever had. Peace and quiet, but close enough to town and the Italian Riveria, Cinque Terre, Pisa, Florence, Lucca, Genoa, Parma, etc! Amazing property and town and countryside. Terrace overlooks medieval villages and Ligurian countryside (amazing view!). 10 minute drive into town for artisan and local cheeses, pesto, meats, pasta and bakeries. House sleeps at least 6, but is great for a romantic getaway for 2 as well. Best location for a peacful Italian vacation with access to all the sites of Italy. Laundry facilities in house, as well as beautiful large fireplace for evenings at home. All the amenities ones needs with the serentity of a classic Italian village home. Property kept clean and modern. Great hikes available from the house. We hiked the Cinque Terre and enjoyed a beautiful day on the beaches of the Italian Riviera. But, the best days were spent around the house, enjoying the view and the shops and restaurants of the town. We cannot wait to go back! Do not miss the opportunity to stay at Le Moggie if you want to see Italy and the Cinque Terre. Matt and Anna (Minneapolis, MN, USA)
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, pet owners, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.
Private vocation spot on the Ligurian coast
Guest: Oleg
(Cambridge, MA, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/19/10
Review Submitted: 09/18/10
This is a perfect location for experiencing true Ligurian mountainous countryside. You will live in an authentic newly restored stone house with all the modern commodities. Fully equipped enormous kitchen will allow you to prepare culinary delights from the ingredients bough at the local farmers' market which meats every Tuesday in Varese Ligure in the morning. The most comprehensive English language collection of Italian recipes can be found in The Silver Spoon cookbook (not included). We immensely enjoyed returning to the refreshing air of the mountains from our daily trips to Genoa, Camogli, Portovenere, Sestri Levante and many other picturesque seaside towns. We highly recommend this place to all those seeking a peaceful retreat for busy modern life.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.
Le Moggie
Guest: BP
(The Woodlands, TX, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/26/08
Review Submitted: 07/26/10
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Le Moggie and appreciated all the information at the house as to what to do in the area, and how to operate everything. The house has so much character and so spacious. The kitchen was extremely well equipped, which was nice since we did cook at least a few times during our stay. We loved the beautiful sights from every window, the sounds of the bells from the nearby towns and the nights we spent eating out on the terrace. Our children loved all the daily hikes and exploring around the local area. Our son especially loved playing soccer with the local kids and then afterwards getting a gelato in town at Varese Ligure. We really enjoyed Varse Ligure, especially the local market. As "the house book" suggested we tried the pesto and the parmiggiano- which is delicious ! And we also tried the focaccia at Cinque Terre -- the best we have every had. We tried to do day trips, about four, but always wanted to hang out at the house and enjoy the area. The views are amazing and the people are so nice. Our children didn't want to leave and or that matter, either did we.
Recommended for:Families with teenagers.
very cosy,well furnisted home,clean
Guest: mik53
(the netherlands)
Date of Stay: 05/01/10
Review Submitted: 05/19/10
Our visit was unforgetable,we enjoyed the house ,in which we immediatly felt home.A lot of space.Two bathrooms ,very clean.You can make a lot of trips in the surrounding.Visiting Genova, Parma ,Lucca, Portofino, Cinqueterre,but also hiking and cycling.But you also can stay at le moggie and read books in the garden with a beuatiful sight.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, romantic getaway, age 55+.
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #9021
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