La Bigattiera is a former Tuscan barn and La Biga is a renovated cottage which have both been carefully restored and are tastefully furnished with many pieces of antique furniture. They lie in a quiet rural area on the Plateau of Cerbaie mid-way between Florence, Pisa and Lucca. The properties are surrounded by sixteen acres of land where it is possible to walk and enjoy the countryside. Mushrooms and truffles can be picked during spring and autumn - a much loved local activity and a real delicacy.

Clients who stay at La Bigattiera and La Biga will be well placed for visits to many places - Florence is only half an hour's drive away and, of course, is a must for all art lovers. The shopping too is wonderful. Pisa, Lucca, Montecatini and Vinci are also all easily to hand whilst a day on the beach can be enjoyed at Viareggio. In the summer months it is not too far to take a trip to the Puccini Opera Festival at Torre del Lago but tickets should be booked in advance. With a good choice of restaurants in the area there are plenty of opportunities for sampling the local cuisine.

La Bigattiera has its own small pool (5.5m x 2.5m) in the garden where you can cool off on warmer days when you decide to 'stay at home'. Please note: This swimming pool is for the sole use of La Bigattiera, unless one large party books both properties together.

A new swimming pool has been built for the shared use of all guests staying at La Bigattiera and La Biga. This bigger swimming pool (11.3m x 3.5m) is in the garden behind La Biga.

La Bigattiera was once a stable barn. It lies about forty metres from the owners' own country house. La Bigattiera is detached and is actually divided into two apartments - one upstairs and one on the ground floor. The owners prefer, however to let it as one detached property accommodating eight (the two apartments may be available separately).

Outside the house is surrounded by a large garden with trees and grassy areas. Swimming pool as mentioned previously with garden furniture and barbecue provided. The grounds extend to sixteen acres with mixed woodland of pine trees, oaks and poplar, where you can walk. There is also a little lake.

The cottage, La Biga, is just a short distance away from La Bigattiera. Outside there is a terrace at the front for eating out of doors and at the rear there is a grassy garden area where you can relax and sunbathe and swim in the new shared swimming pool as mentioned above. A barbeque is available for use in the garden.

 

LA BIGATTIERA
Property Ref. 433 - Sleeps 8 (in two apartments sleeping 4 each)

Ground floor apartment
Property Ref. 430 - Sleeps 4

Large glass doors give access to a spacious sitting/dining room, tastefully furnished with comfortable seating and fireplace. One double bedroom has a door to the garden. Second bedroom is a twin. Both bedrooms have chests of drawers and hanging rails for your clothes. Small kitchen/utility room with hob and oven, fridge/freezer and washing machine. Good bathroom has shower, basin, bidet and wc.

First floor apartment
Property Ref. 431 - Sleeps 4

Accessed separately by a staircase from the garden which leads to a small terrace. Entrance from the terrace into a sitting/dining room with a large fireplace. Well-equipped open plan kitchen with hob, oven, dishwasher, fridge/freezer and small pizza oven. Two bedrooms - one double and one twin - double with wardrobe, twin with hanging rail. Good bathroom with bath, basin, bidet and wc.

Furnishings are comfortable and there are many antique pieces. The property has terracotta floors and beamed ceilings throughout and each room is painted with colour - quite unusual for Tuscany where the owners mostly favour white.

LA BIGA
Property Ref. 432 - Sleeps 2

Entrance from the terrace into a dining/kitchen room which has dining table, fridge with small ice compartment, two gas rings and small electric oven. An archway leads from the kitchen into a small sitting area with two easy chairs.

There are two archways leading from this sitting area, one into a modern bathroom with shower, wc, basin and bidet, the other into a pretty double bedroom with fireplace and glass patio door leading out onto the terrace. There are terracotta floors and beamed ceilings throughout except the kitchen which has a stone floor.

 

Prices are per week per property in Pounds Sterling

Year 2008 Weeks commencing	Whole House	Ground Floor/ First Floor	La Biga
31/5 - 21/6	£1125	£610	£335
28/6 - 23/8	£1500	£755	£379
30/8 - 20/9	£1125	£610	£335
Other periods	£865	£478	£335
Christmas/New Year	£1125	£610	£335
These prices are inclusive of linen, towels, power, welcome pack and final clean. Heating, if used, is by meter reading. Maid service 12 Euros per hour. Extra bed £50 per week - payable in advance. Cot available on request. Security deposit: 150 Euros at La Biga and 300 Euros at each other property taken on arrival.

 

Additional Information At all properties towels are included with the linen. Please ask for the prices for Christmas if not stated. The Security deposit may be paid in the Sterling equivalent. Changeovers - bookings are from Saturday to Saturday unless otherwise stated (in low season changeover days can be more flexible - please ask). Arrivals are between 4pm and 7pm. Departure is by 10am. All properties are cleaned after your departure, but we do ask clients to leave their accommodation as they found it. If you don't find the location you are looking for on the web site do enquire further. We may have additional properties currently in preparation which may be of interest to you.

 

"I would just like to say that we had a fantastic time on our recent visit to Tuscany at La Bigattiera and La Biga. The property was gorgeous and the meal they cooked for my mum's birthday was wonderful. I've passed the web site address onto all of my friends!"