VILLA MIMOSA

VILLA MIMOSA GUEST HOUSE LUNIGIANA IN ROMANTIC MEDIEVAL TUSCANY

A jewel of a place run by Jennie and Alan from England who know this exquisite undiscovered part of TUSCANY inside out, and who will love to help you discover ancient mountain trails, castles and villages, and the nearby exotic Ligurian coast and the famous CINQUE TERRE.

Many mountain and coastal trips surround our village of Corlaga, with an abundance of romantic castles and hilltop villages to explore, unchanged for centuries. We have four en-suite double bedrooms with views of the Apennines and two comfortable sitting rooms. Breakfast and dinners can be enjoyed on the garden terraces with a backdrop of the mountains, or in the cooler months, beside the log fire in the vaulted Italian kitchen; and to make you feel really welcome, homemade cakes and tea will be served on arrival.

Villa Mimosa is an elegant 250 year house, with a distinctly homely ambience. Our room rates include breakfast which consists of home-baked bread and homemade yoghurts and preserves, cereals and fresh fruit. Jennie's dinners are very popular, she was a professional cook and restaurateur in the U.K. before we left its shores to live here permanently in 1994, to indulge in Italian food and wine; so that department is very well looked after! Her cooking is very innovative, consisting of a blend of the local rustic dishes, classic Italian and other Mediterranean cuisines . We select local fresh meats and vegetables and serve them as often as possible. Special diets etc. can easily be accommodated. Eating out is no problem as there are many restaurants within a few minutes drive, four in BAGNONE. Italy probably has the best cuisine for vegetarians.

Life is very relaxing here at Villa mimosa, and our visitors - many of whom return - soon discover the magic of Lunigiana and fall under the spell of the mountain views, the tranquility of the surroundings and the pure clean air, besides the warmth of the Italians themselves. Of particular appeal is returning here after a hard day's touring or city bashing and relaxing with a long cool drink, and sharing experiences over a cup of tea around bathing pool terraces and the front courtyard, and if the timing is right, arriving just as one of Jennie's cakes emerges fresh from the Aga!
We look forward to the opportunity perhaps of hosting you and showing off this glorious corner of ITALY to you.

Lunigiana is hardly visited by tourists, and in consequence has not been spoiled and still retains its centuries old atmosphere. It is quite unique with its ancient castles, guarding hilltop villages, surrounded by wooded valleys and rivers. Our village of Corlaga lies in a valley that leads down to the beautiful town of Bagnone (1.5 miles) which has all the shops and services one needs, including several restaurants. The medieval castle on top of the hill overlooks the ancient archwayed streets and picturesque little piazzas with the mountain torrents that sweep through the gorge below. We have glorious walks on our doorstep leading up through sweet chestnut groves and oak woodlands, that form the foothills of the Apennines that rise majestically behind our village. There are also old mule trails that traders used centuries ago, up on the ridges at 6000 ft., ideal for trekking. These mountains are those featured in Eric Newby's book "Love and War in The Apennines", in which he describes how he and other released P.O.W.s were hidden in caves during World War 2 by the Italian partisans.
If you prefer to drive there are superb scenic routes to the historic hill villages, and the valley roads that lead up to the many ancient castles. Further on are the mountain passes through which Hannibal and later, the pilgrims travelled, where you picnic and use the ski lifts to take you up to the ridges. There are deer and cinghiale (wild boar) in the mountains and some 200 different species of wild flowers - not to mention the fireflies, the nightingales singing in the valleys, and the golden eagles that are often sighted from our village.

Although distinctly rural in its setting, Corlaga is far from being isolated from the famous Italian cities with Milan to the North and Siena to the South, both taking under 2½ hours by car, and Florence taking 1½ hours. Other equally captivating cities , Lucca, Genova and Parma and the most convenient airports at Pisa and Genova, all take about an hour. We are also near the famous marble quarries in the Apuan Alps at Carrara, and one can visit the sculpture workshops at Pietrasanta and, by arrangement, a bronze casting foundry. The beautiful Mediterranean coast is nearby at Lerici, with sheltered coves and clean sandy beaches surrounded by pinewoods. Also there are steamer boat trips as far as PORTOFINO.
The very famous CINQE TERRE (the five towns) fishing villages on the beautiful Ligurian coast, are fascinating places to visit, in particular by train and ferry boat, and also linked by spectacular cliff pathways winding through the ancient vineyards. Further on are Portofino and Santa Margherita, famous for film locations and glamorous turn of the century architecture. The Italian rail network is both efficient and remarkably cheap, so as an alternative you can arrange excursions from Villafranca station, just 4 miles away. (There are direct rail services to FLORENCE, PISA, GENOVA, and the CINQUE TERRE).
There are many cultural and gastronomic festivals held throughout Tuscany during the summer months - including the Puccini opera festival at Torre del Lago, also many open-air musical events in Lunigiana, some taking place in the courtyards of old castles - very romantic!

PERSONALISED ACTIVITIES : Jennie runs cooking courses (Aga and electric/gas stoves) , and Alan gives drawing and painting lessons, (Also food and wine tour experiences), all tailored to suit various levels etc. Please do apply for more details and timings .. Perhaps you could also bring some friends over at the same time to either participate as well or just to have a lazy time.

Recommended by Karen Brown's "Italy Charming Bed & Breakfast 2004", & Alastair Sawday's Special Places to Stay, & EUROPE Special Places With Courses and Activities.