Casa Catalina

In the heart of the Tuscan counrtyside, tranquil but not isolated, but well off the beaten tourist paths Casa Catalina is a medieval 4 level attached stone house with two bathrooms and four bedrooms, ideal for family reunions (providing two self contained areas in the one house).

Alternatively it is available as two separate apartments the older upstairs apartment having three bedrooms and the brand new downstairs apartment having one bedroom. You are welcome to rent any of the three possibilities. The prices quoted are for each apartment as a separate accommodation but please contact us for the rate for the whole house as it is certainly not double the apartment rate.

Both bathrooms are fitted with a shower, toilet, bidet and basin and both apartments have new washing machines. The top floor of the house has three double bedrooms and a bathroom with a separate lounge, dining room and kitchen on the third level. This level has an access to the street. On the second level and down an ancient stone staircase to the other apartment is a bathroom bedroom and lounge room with a further kitchen and a cantina on the ground floor providing access to the almost private Piazza Giusti for outdoor summer dining.

We provide for your convenience (stored in the cantina which also has access to the Piazza) a table, chairs and small grill for the enjoyment of the Piazza. With the kitchen only a few convenient steps from the Piazza you can enjoy twilight dining in the Piazza and its magnificent views in comfort. The Piazza is linked to the village street system so that there is a separate entrance to the downstairs apartment. Forming part of the ancient walls of the medieval village of Lanciole all levels of this ancient house, located at the head waters of the Pescia River, have magnificent views down the Pescia River valley from most rooms.

Parking is nearby for both apartments so that cars can be unloaded but we do ask that after unloading or loading you move your car so that others in the village can gain vehicle access.

Comfortably sleeping six in its three large double bedrooms the larger apartment also has easy access to the Piazza. At some 600 metres above sea level Lanciole is protected in the warmer months from the summer heat by its mountain setting and breezes. Further the almost metre thick stone walls provide cool comfortable surroundings within the house. In the cooler months of November to February the two stuffas (wood is provided) assisted by kerosene heaters make the house cosy with the thick walls keeping in the heat. We do ask on an honour system that you replace any kerosene used.

With expansive views down the valley the house is in easy drivng distance of the Pescia train station and hence Florence, Lucca, Pistoia, Prato and Viareggio are all within an hours travel. Going further afield for a days drive or train trip are many of the highlights of a Tuscan holiday such as San Gimignano, Montepulciano, the Cinque Terre and many areas where ancient Etruscan or Roman ruins are situated. In winter the ski slopes of Abetone are approximately 40 minutes away.

Satelite TV is provided and there are four English speaking news channels to keep you up to date. Although Lanciole is set in chestnut forests scattered with conifers providing a beautiful green backdrop to your holiday activities you may wish to explore the beauty of this natural wilderness area scattered as it is with ancient medieval stone villages. For example driving north for about 10 minutes from Lanciole toward Prunetta is the area of Machia Antonini where there is a restaurant and old Church surrounded by many acres of beautiful forest containing many delightful walks, picnic areas and barbecues.

Villages you might like to visit and within easy driving distance are Pontito and Crespole which are also pleasant and picturesque walks, Stiappa, Castlevecchia, Sorana and many others (7 others in fact). They are all left over from the 12th to the 16 th centuries. Should you desire to stay in our village house we will provide you with further notes and information.