For those who enjoy walking, we have prepared a number of self-guided walks which can be made from Casa Fontana into the hills nearby. We have prepared 12 walks of varying difficulty and have made the first three available on our site: go to Tiglio, Sommocolonia, Fornaci di Barga and Gallicano and the Eremo di Calomini we will gradually add new walks to our list. You can also read about the first "Barga-Mare biathlon" here and the nocturnal walk to Lago Santo here.
You can also take a day trip to the Cinque Terre where you can walk part of the famous cliffside trail.You can enquire and book on line to start planning your holiday for 2010. You can read what previous guests have written at www.TripAdvisor.com
The restoration and rebirth of the old town, where Casa Fontana is located, continues. Many of the old houses are being restored and repainted in the traditional warm tuscan colours. The Comune has created a series of new piazzette in the very centre, and a Museum opened in March 2007, on the site of buildings destroyed during WWII. With the opening of new restaurants and old favourites, Barga is very well served with good places to eat, see our guide under Places to Eat
Barga has become a very popular place for weddings. The Comune (local council) are very supportive but there are some things which need to be arranged well in advance. For example booking the Commune and, if the bride and groom don't speak fluent Italian, an interpreter is essential.Accommodation for guests in Barga is very limited. Casa Fontana is the only B&B/pensione within the historic centre, which is within walking distance of the Comune and the restaurants of the old town. We have room for a maximum of 12 guests and that becomes very quickly booked especially in summer. If you are planning a wedding in Barga please get in touch with us as early as possible. We can also help with translation and interpretation services.
For your special event in Barga you can have a Scottish Piper! To enquire about availability please email 
If you have a broadband connection you can see a video of him in action in Barga here
What is the connection between Barga and Scotland? Barga describes itself as "the most Scottish town in Italy", but there are very few Scottish people living here; in fact we don't know of another Scottish family living in Barga Vecchia. There are though many, many Barga families who have lived in Scotland, and have returned and many more Barghigiani who still live in Scotland and come back to Barga regularly to visit family. Ask any Barghigiani if they have a Scottish relative and the answer is usually "tanti cugini!" There is a page on Barganews dedicated to the Scottish presence in Barga www.Barganews.com/Scotland There is also a fascinating book on the subject entitled "They Took the Low Road", by Bruno Sereni, published by the Comune di Barga.
From 27th July to 16th August there is the festival of "Pesce e Patate" (fish and chips) and in early August is the "Festa dei Bargo-Esteri" (Barghigiani abroad)
We are often asked when is the best time to come and the answer is that it depends what you are looking for. For hillwalkers and ramblers April and May are beautiful while in September and October the autumn colours of the chestnut and beech forests are spectacular. The summer is beautiful too, and the mountain air prevents it from ever getting too hot. For music, the summer is best with opera, classical and jazz concerts throughout July and August
Opera Barga This year's programme has just been published, See here for details and will commence in May with the Cardiff International Academy of Voice" residency:
12 singers accepted every year by the Academy, directed by Dennis O'Neill, are selected from around the world through an audition process lasting 6 months and involves collaborators on every continent. The singers have the opportunity to study with the leading singing teachers in Great Britain as well as being able to follow master classes with stars of the world of Opera. This year the students will perform a gala of operatic arias and ensembles on Friday 7th May, a sacred music concert on Sunday 9th May, and a full-scale opera – Donizetti’s "L’Ajo nell’imbarazzo" (The Tutor in a Jam) in the Teatro dei Differenti on 13th and 15th May. An annual event, the residency is an integral part of the Academy schedule.
The 23rd Barga Jazz festival is during the last week of August every year. This year's programme has just been announced, and as usual the Festival will commence with a number of open air concerts before the official Festival begins on the 27th. This years festival will headline American electric bassist, Steve Swallow, together with Barga regular Bruno Tommaso. Highlights of the Festival include Maurizio Geri Swing 5tet,"dedicato a Django" on 20th August; Antonio Forcione 4tet (per l’associazione AMATAFRICA) on 21st August; "Barga in Jazz" on 22nd August with 10 bands providing music in the streets and piazzas throughout the historic centre; For full details go to: BargaJazz. During the festival there are jam sessions every night at "EnoJazz". BargaJazz Club is open throughout the year on Friday and Saturday nights (except during the festival).
For artists, Barga is a perfect location for drawing and painting, and there are galleries and exhibitions throughout the year. For those who have overdosed on the culture of Florence and Siena, Barga is a gentle respite! For food lovers this area is perfect all year round: Barga prides itself on being a "Città Slow" so all food is of local origin and no "fast food" is available; even the pizzas are cooked in wood ovens.
The "Sagra". Originally religious festivals and now dedicated to supporting local churches and parish activities, the Sagra is an open air communal supper. Over the summer we have the "Cena in Vignola" in the vineyard below the Duomo, the "Sagra del pesce e patate" to commemorate the Barghigiano/Scottish connection; the "Sagra del Maiale" (pork) at S. Pietro in Campo. In October in nearby Filecchio is the Sagra del Vino, and late October is the time for the "Mondinata" where chestnuts are roasted over open log fires, and cakes and sweets made with chestnut flour, are served in the open air.
What kind of activity do you enjoy? We have had bookings for groups hillwalking, painting and a language course. In May we are hosting a painting group from the Driffield Art Club, Yorkshire lead by landscape painter Richard Clare, originally from Manchester but now resident in Barga.
Barga is a favourite centre for walking; either gently through the chestnut forests or more vigorously in the Apuane and Appenini. We can offer guided walks or provide itineraries for those who wish to go their own way. Many of the mountain trails are marked with the red and white symbol of the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI) and there are many mountain refuges, some simple others with cafes and restaurants. We can also help with arranging transport and guides for more challenging hill walks.
Mountain bikingThere are many excellent mountain bike trails in the hills around Barga and we can help you to arrange equipment hire and experienced guides for day trips.
Interested in food? The Garfagnana valley is famous for its honey, fruit, meat, principally pork and prosciutto, and cheeses, especially the pecorino (ewe's milk cheese), both fresh and "stagionato". Our garden produces a fine crop of fruit and vegetables, and in September, wild porcini in the woods above Barga.
With so much to do in Barga and nearby, opera, jazz, art or whatever your interest we can help you plan your holiday.But you may just wish to relax and the garden at Casa Fontana is ideal for that too.
We look forward to seeing you in 2010, and if there is anything you wish to know please use our enquiry forms at Enquiry
book online using our enquiry form at 2010
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