Italian Country Escape in the hills of Northern Tuscany

The Mill at Cavezzana Gordana comprises 3 converted buildings – La Casa Padronale, the landowners house, the Casa Colonica, the miller’s house, and the Scuola, the old village school. The buildings are clustered together in a borgo, like a small village, with interesting pathways, corners and spaces between the buildings. The villa is in the heart of the Lunigiana area in the north of Tuscany, close to La Spezia in Liguria and Parma in Emilia Romagna.

The Casa Colonica and the Scuola are available to rent either individually or together, and the Casa Padronale maybe available at certain times upon request.

The mill is set in beautiful gardens, against a backdrop of an unspoilt natural valley with wild flowers, birds and animals. The Gordana valley is an area of outstanding natural beauty, protected by Italian law as a Site of Regional Interest, home of several protected species of birds, fish, frogs, bats and insects. The hills are covered with chestnut trees.

The Garden
La Casa Colonica faces a beautiful old-fashioned garden, with vines, lavender, a lawn and cypress trees. Beyond the garden lies the open countryside, chestnut groves, mature trees and a winding lane which goes to the little hamlet of Cavezzana Gordana. At the height of the summer a millstream runs through the garden, irrigating the fields below.

The Orchard, Meadow and River
The House overlooks a large meadow and orchard, which leads down to the river Gordana. The orchard, with apples, cherries and pears leads into the Meadow, where the hay is cut three times a year. The river is clear and shallow with rocks for stepping stones, leading upstream to the gorge. Trout swim in the natural pools - it is perfect for a long walk on a hot afternoon.

The Terrace
La Casa Colonica opens onto a large terrace which has stone paving, and comfortable outside sofas and chairs. It is ideal for evening drinks and sunbathing. Geraniums cascade over the wall surrounding the terrace and large terracotta pots containing orange, lemon and olive trees create fragrance and colour.

The Stream, Millpond and Pergola
In high summer the millstream flows past the Mulino (mill), and the Millpond can be seen at the high level near the Pergola. In high summer the millpond maybe full of water, and an evening barbeque in candlelight near the millpond, with the fireflies darting through the wild flowers is the perfect end to a day.

The Swimming Pool
The swimming pool lies just above the meadow, and adjacent to a mature alder tree. During the height of the summer a cascade of water washes down the rocks from the millpond above. At Cavezzana, swimming is the ultimate relaxing experience, with the tranquil view of the valley, and the splendour of the house and grounds.

A few hundred metres upstream are the Stretti di Giaredo, a spectacular 500m long gorge that is famous throughout Italy – it has 50m high rock walls and in places is only a few metres wide. At the head of the river is the Giaredo Dam, part of a hydro-electric complex that was built in 1935 to serve industry in Milan.

Address

Mulino di Cavezzana Gordana, 54027 Pontremoli (MS) The house is within easy reach of airports at Parma (1 hour), Pisa (1 hour), Genova (1 1/4 hours) and Bologna (2 hours), which are all served by Ryanair. British Airways fly to Genova, Pisa and Bologna. Easyjet flies to Pisa. Pontremoli railway station is 3 km away and has connections to Florence, Pisa, Genova, Milan and Bologna. The A15 autostrada (Parma-La Spezia) is only 5 km from the house.

Rooms

The Accommodation:
*La Casa Colonica - sleeps up to 7 in 4 bedrooms
*La Scuola - sleeps up to 3 in one studio bedroom
Both apartments may be rented together.
* The Casa Padronale maybe available in certain periods for larger groups (sleeps 10)

La Casa Colonica
La Casa Colonica was originally the miller’s house and accommodation for the farm workers and has been now been converted to a large house. In the 1940s, there was an “osteria” or inn, in the area now used as a kitchen, with tables and chairs for the customers under the covered porticato.

The front of the house overlooks the meadow, orchard and historic stone bridge over the Torrente Gordana. The entrance is through the garden, with cypress trees, lavender, roses and palm trees.

La Casa Colonica has a stylish living room with a balcony window overlooking the meadow. The room is high with a chestnut timber beamed ceiling, and a contemporary feel, and comes with a home cinema and selection of DVDs. A steel staircase leads up to the kitchen, dining room, and a double bedroom and down to the other bedrooms and bathrooms. Double doors open out onto a large terrace, which has comfortable outdoor sofas and chairs.

La Scuola
La Scuola was the original village school for the farmworkers’ children, and as late as the 1950s catered for up to a dozen children. It is now an independent studio apartment and may be rented with the Casa Colonica, or on its own.

La Scuola is ideal for 2 or 3 people. It has one very large studio room with double bed and additional divan, the style is simple, comfortable and contemporary, white walls with a terracotta floor. A balcony window overlooks a hay barn, a courtyard, lane and open field. The living room is provided with a home cinema and selection of DVDs.

There is a separate kitchen and dining space with gas hob, microwave oven, sink and fridge, and a shower room with large shower. Doors open from the kitchen and dining room into the garden and there is a small terrace right beside the kitchen for breakfasts in the sun.

Facilities

All accommodation is self-catering and offers:
*Swimming pool
*External terrace
*Garden
*Fully furnished
*Pots, pans, crockery, cutlery, etc.
*Linens included
*No telephone
*No smoking
*Car recommended – car parking available

Casa Colonica:
*Home cinema with selection of DVDs
*Kitchen with dishwasher, hob, over and fridge-freezer.
*Two bathrooms: 1 shower and 1 bath
*Wi-Fi
*CD player/ stereo system

Scuola:
*Kitchen with hob, oven, fridge and microwave
*Shower room
*CD player/ stereo system

Places to Visit

Local Towns & Villages
Pontremoli
The nearest town is Pontremoli, which is 4km away. It is a lively market town with an enchanting historic quarter, and a market twice a week. The old town inhabits an elongated stone island surrounded on both sides by the River Magra. Many beautiful historic bridges cross the river on both side of the town. There are cafés, restaurants and shops, the Duomo and Campanile, the Castello del Piagnaro and two very beautiful piazzas. It is a very special place to spend an evening enjoying ice cream and people watching.

Parma
Parma is a rich city - rich culturally and rich visually, and absolutely rich. It is a university town, very hot in summer, very cold in winter, full of fabulous buildings, a beautiful park, excellent shops and of course the home of Parma ham and Parmesan cheese. A day in Parma is unforgettable - the Teatro Farnese is unique, and the restaurants are just so good.

Sarzana
There is a wonderful Thursday market in Sarzana, a city of great quality and character. The entire town becomes a market, and it is a very easy way to walk the city from the Porta Parma to the Porta Romana going from stall to stall, taking in the chic shops, the food stalls and the beautiful network of narrow streets. The church of Sant’Andrea, the Citadella and the irregular shaped Piazza Matteotti are highlights.

Bagnone
The prettiest village for a coffee or lunch is Bagnone, set above the river Tavarone, with two piazzas overlooking the torrent and the rocks below. With the castle of Bagnone set on the hill behind the village and the Castiglion del Terziere close by, this village exemplifies the castles of Lunigiana.

Places to Visit
The Cinque Terre
These five little fishing villages nestling against the verdant coastline of Liguria are accessible by both boat and rail. A boat trip starting from La Spezia, changing boats at Portovenere and arriving for lunch at Vernazza or Monterosso is the most spectacular way to see the villages. The seafood is fresh and delicious and the pesto sauce the most beautiful shade of pale green.

Portovenere
You must visit Portovenere by boat. The view of the harbour with the tall coloured houses and the church and castle behind is unique and memorable. The church of San Pietro on the promontory is handsome and looks down onto the rocks below. Great restaurants, ice cream and good swimming off the rocks.

Carrara Marble Quarries
The marble quarries up in the hills behind Carrara are an insight into the historic production and quarrying of marble from the mountains since Roman times. Taste the famous lardo di Colonnata, and buy beautifully crafted marble souvenirs.

Lerici
This is probably the most picturesque seaside resort, with all the required ingredients, pretty town, good beach, beautiful bay, castle on the promontory and excellent seafood, and a boat service across the Golfo dei Poeti to Portovenere (it was the home of the poets Shelley and Byron).

Hiking & Walking
Gli Stretti di Giaredo
A spectacular walk from the Mulino to the Stretti, a beautiful river walk upstream to the spectacular gorge with its waterfalls and cascades. Sometimes walking through waist-high water, sometimes swimming - it is nature at its finest.

La Via dell’Amore
Walk the coastline of the Cinque Terre, from Riomaggiore to Manarola, taking in the fantastic cliffs, and stopping for a cold drink half way along at the little cliff top café. This is an easy walk, with a fantastic sea view.

Vernazza to Monterosso
A steep cliff climb, for between two and three hours, well worth the effort, for the views, the smell of fresh herbs, gorse and wild flowers. The view coming down into Monterosso of the beach with coloured umbrellas, the harbour and the railway is very memorable.

Via Francigena
Pick up the trail of the Via Francigena, the Pilgrim route from Canterbury to Rome, as it passes through the Magra valley from Pontremoli to Aulla. This is a 27 kilometre walk, taking 6 - 7 hours, following the brown signposts.

Rates

La Casa Colonica (sleeps up to 7): from €700 in low season to €1,575 in high season (per week)
La Scuola (sleeps up to 3): from €350 in low season to €700 in high season (per week)

Based on a 7 day rental, Saturday 3pm to Saturday 11am.
The swimming pool will be open from May 7th to the end of September.

A charge of €100 for the Casa Colonica will be charged, in Italy for cleaning, linen and towels.
A charge of €50 for the Scuola will be charged, in Italy for cleaning, linen and towels.
Hot water and electricity are included in the rates.
Sorry, no credit cards.

The Mill maybe available in certain periods for larger groups (sleeps 10) - prices on application.