front door

Our Accommodation

rooms rooms

There are three double bedrooms on the first floor, all with en suite shower rooms. King size or twin beds can be provided in each. Two of the rooms have french doors leading on to balconies with magnificent views to the mountains beyond. The third has a beautiful view up vicolo Chiaro, one of the oldest streets in Barga, leading to the Duomo. On the second floor there is a large double/triple bedroom with en-suite bathroom (with bathtub) with spectacular mountain views; and a family suite comprising a large double room and a smaller double room sharing a bathroom or shower room. These rooms may be booked individually or as a family suite.

sitting cantina table

There is a small, comfortable sitting room with a good selection of books , guides and magazines and a selection of walks. On the lowest floor, the original cantina (wine cellar), with remnants of 15th Century walls, has been transformed into a breakfast room. The ancient walls are of stone and brick and ceilings of huge chestnut beams and terra cotta tiles: a long refectory table has been crafted from local chestnut planks. The cantina also makes an excellent meeting room for groups. See our heading on Special Interest Holidays From the cantina, doors lead out across the via della fontana to the walled garden.

Our Garden

pergola garden

Our garden is set on the mediaeval city wall, above the valley of the Fontana stream, now a public park with mature pine trees. The garden is of traditional Italian parterre design with beds of flowers, fruit trees and vegetables separated by gravel paths. There is a shady pergola, a covered barbecue area and plenty of seating areas for quiet sunbathing and reading. There is access from the garden into the Cantina, where breakfast and snacks may be taken.

When to come

Casa Fontana is open from mid March to the end of October and is an ideal base for sightseeing in Tuscany and the Garfagnana Valley. Throughout the summer months, the mountain air prevents the heat from becoming stifling and in spring and the autumn the cooler days and the colours of the chestnut forests make pleasant hill walking conditions. We can recommend walks around Barga and in the mountains of the Apuane and Appenini, suitable for all levels of ability. In July and August there are numerous Festas in and around Barga including many communal meals eaten outdoors. In August there are Opera and Jazz Festivals, when the streets and piazzas are filled with music.

mondinata

In late October there is the chestnut festival or "Mondinata" celebrated in Barga and in many of the surrounding villages, with roast chestnuts, chestnut cakes and sweets.

There is skiing at Abetone (50km) until mid April.

Special Interest Holidays

painting

Casa-fontana makes an ideal base for groups interested in pursuing special interests such as hill walking, language tutoring, art appreciation, painting, cookery and many more. For groups of more than 10 the group leader or tutor will get free accommodation.If you wish advice on arranging an activity, please let us know. There are also a number of local companies providing courses.

Booking

You can book online at Bookings 2008.

Prices are from £28 (us$50) per night per person in March, April and October to £33 (us$59) pppn (min 2 nights) and our pricing structure means that the rate reduces the longer you stay. You can use our pricing calculator to get an estimate of the total cost of accommodation and to submit an enquiry.

Payment

Payment can be made by one of three methods. By cheque or bank transfer into our UK account in UK Pounds; by cheque or bank transfer into our Italian account in Euros; or by Debit card payment by using the Pay-Pal service. For full details of the Pay-Pal service please go to Pay-Pal We do not have credit card facilities so payment here must be made in Euros.