Costola
Description
Quality renovation, with private pool - Sleeping 22 (can accomodate an extra 10) + (10 bathrooms)
Peacefully located this beautifully converted monastery is set in the most wonderful position, ideal for large groups and celebrations including weddings.
It is difficult to describe just how wondrous this location is; situated in the heart of a very sleepy and peaceful tiny village, yet with absolute privacy, total peace, unbeatable views and 15 hectares of private land including olive groves, chestnut woods and open fields.
The enormous and spacious villa, spread over 3 floors, and originally constructed in the 1400's does justice to the location, and has been newly refurbished with loving care to provide a high quality holiday with an extra special ambience. There is accommodation here for 14 plus 10, with7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 5 kitchen/living rooms.
There is also a further detached house on the grounds, with a further 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and a further two living/kitchen/diners .
Both properties are included in the price.
Ideal for a group of couples or small families celebrating a special occasion, this villa privacy for groups within groups, but plenty of space to eat together both inside and out, and an industrial size kitchen for when you all wish to cook together rather than in your apartments. In fact this is a cooks' paradise with a wonderfully equipped indoor and outdoor kitchen area ideal for catering for large groups, as well as smaller kitchens in each apartment.
These well equipped villas are finished with high chestnut beamed ceilings, cotto floors, fireplaces, wonderful windows and amazing views throughout. The original stone staircases remain, there are beautifully shaped ceilings in the hall area, and the villa has been painted in warm traditional tuscan colours. The peaceful and historic theme is carried through to the outside areas too, where there is a beautiful walled courtyard, creating a wonderful feel of yesteryear. The couryard is framed by traditional stone walls, and enormous original arch, and on the floor are the original reclaimed flagstones. The courtyard also boasts an outdoor wood oven and grill, perfect for all types of al fresco cooking, and we can arrange for a specialist chef to cook in these outdoor ovens for you too.
The pool of 13m x 6m overlooks the ancient village, with the valley and moutains beyond & it really is the most amazing view and with the sense of peace pervading the area, we guarantee it will be difficult to tear oneself away from the pool area!
Perfect for a special holiday for a large group, at a very advantageous price.
The accommdation has been split to provide flexible accommodation for large groups and each unit boasts its own private living/kitchen/diner, with good quality sofa bed, hob, combination microwave, oven, grill, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, sat tv and dvd player. Some have their own ovens too. Each has a fireplace or woodburner.
Perfect for couples wishing to holiday together but requiring
privacy and also small families holidaying together since with so
many living rooms and kitchens, it is possible to use the many sofa
beds as day beds and keep them open without restricting space for
those with older children, give them the excitement of their
ownapartment within the large villa!
The accommodation is arranged as follows:
Monastery
Ground floor:
Enter in via large arched wooden doorway.
- On the right, into kitchen/living diner, leading through to corridor with 2 double bedrooms and shower room.
- On the left, into kitchen/living diner, leading through to double bedroom and shower room
First
floor:
From the hallway up stone staircases to the first floor where
- on the left is a further kitchen/living diner, leading to double bedroom with en-suite shower room
- On the right to another kitchen/living/dining room which leads to beautiful private terrace with great views, double bedroom and en suite shower room.
- This accommodation is connected to a further studio style double bedroom which also has its own independent access if required, via a large terrace overlooking the gardens.
Second
floor:
- This apartment set up above the others has a wonderful romantic terrace leading from both living area and bedroom. The apartment consists of double bedroom, shower room and an open plan living/kitchen/diner.
The converted barn is situated close to the pool
area and consists of:
- Ground floor 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with living/kitchen/diner and terrace
- First floor 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with living/kitchen-diner and terrace .
Communal area:
Lower ground floor
- Dining area for up to 50 people
- Communal living area with comfy seating and projector screen
- Industrial size kitchen with 6 ring hob, hotplate, small friers, large oven, chest freezer, tall drinks fridge, industrial dishwasher, coffee machine and all fully epuipped with cooking pots and pans, cutlery, crockery and glassware to save groups using those in apartments when all together.
Outside:
- There are three private terraces leading from three of the suites of the monastery, one of which is also the ping pong area. There are also two terraces leading from the converted barn.
- Communal large traditional style courtyard with original flagstones, surrounded by arches and traditional stone walls .
- Lit at night, and perfect for large groups dining al fresco.
- Wood burning pizza/bread oven, grills, large electrice oven and enormous bbq, hob and sink. Ipod dock and speakers
- Grassed garden area with large umbrellas providing shade and an arched area ideal for weddings/ceremonies.
- 115 hectares of private land including olive groves, chestnut woods and open fields.
- Chestnut woods with 3 donkeys - fenced off of course,
- Pool 13m x 6m with amazing views over countryside,
- Laundry room and internet point.
- Table tennis
Nb - pricing correct for up to 25 guests for larger groups there is a charge of E50 per person per week. Please send an enquiry before booking .
A little about the area
Costola is situated on the 'sunny side' of the Garfagnana
valley within the comune of Fosciandora, which is an area which has
retained its olde worlde charm due to the fact there is only one
road leading both into and out of the zone… The comune itself has
600 inhabitants spread between 6 villages and various
hamlets.
The property is privately situated in the smallest of these
ancient peaceful villages, and the one that arguably has the best
views of all!
Despite the very quiet and dramatic location, the Villa is only a
2 min drive to a local bar/shop, post office and pharmacy and a 5
minute drive from a Pizzeria, and 5 mins from a restaurant too.
Other distances:
- 10 mins - the local market town of Castelnuovo - shops, bars, restaurants, train station, virbrant Thursday morning market .
- 15/20 min drive is Barga the beautiful mediaeval town, with its wonderful architecture, Duomo, very good restaurants, markets under the stars and regular free music.
- 50 mins - The fully walled mediaeval city of Lucca - try cycling around the walls, meandering in shady narrow streets and people watching in the Grand Piazzas while enjoying a drink or a gelato! Or, there are often outdoor concerts with big named performers, and if you prefer nightly opera recitals.
- 1 hr 15 mins - Pisa with its leaning tower and the airport
- 40 mins - the famous Wind Caves and also the Canyoning park, where one can jump down waterfalls into beautiful rivers.
- 1 hr 20 mins - The Versilian coast is a good day trip reached either via Lucca or more spectacularly by crossing through the Apuan Alps.
- 25 mins - the local Fortress at Verrucole, with stunning views and some interactive activities for the children. Close to the fortress is the Buffardello tree climbing and zip wire park (ideal for both adults and children of all ages with a variety of runs) where one can take a picnic or BBQ and spend the entire day in the welcome shade of the forest.
- Don't forget the lake of Vagli (with its hidden village submerged by the water) for an afternoon drive, or the lake of Pontecosi, where one can stop for a drink. Some some guests love to swim in the river too ...
- The real beauty of this area is the dramatic mountain scenery, and the hundreds of hilltop villages to explore, endless picnicking opportunities, and the pure peace of a non touristy holiday ......
Airports:
Pisa 75 min.; Florence 1hr 50 min.;Genoa 2 hr. 30 min.; Milan 3 hr. 15 min; Bologna 2 hr. 30 min.
USE AS A WEDDING VENUE - THE NUMBER OF WEDDINGS PERMITTED PER YEAR ARE RESTRICTED, SO PLEASE CHECK WITH US BEFORE MAKING A RESERVATION. Thank you ,
Amenities
| Property Type |
Villa |
|
| Swimming Pool |
Private |
Fenced Pool |
| Bedrooms |
11 |
|
| Bathrooms |
10 |
|
| Sleeps |
32 |
|
| Kitchen Facilities |
Chest Freezer Cooker and Hob Dishwasher Fridge Iron and Ironing Board Oven Washing machine |
Coffee Machine Cooking Utensils and Cutlery Freezer Fridge Freezer Microwave Toaster and Kettle |
| Entertainment |
DVD Player Ping Pong Stereo System |
iPod Dock Satellite TV Internet |
| Amenities |
Balcony BBQ Car Parking Central Heating Cookery lessons on request Garden Individual Family Units Terrace |
Bathroom Towels Bed Linen is provided Celebrations Chef option Fire Place Hair Dryer Pizza/bread oven Woodburner |
| Distances |
Walk to bar Walk to shop |
Walk to restaurant |
| Suitability |
Children Welcome |
|
| Nearest Airport |
Pisa |
|
| Activities |
Cycling Hiking/Walking Places of Interest |
Golf Horse riding |
| Landing Pages |
Garfagnana |
|
| Dogs |
2 |
touristicLicenceLabel
Rates
| Start Date | Weekly Rate (€) | Minimum Stay | Arrival Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05 Apr 2025 | 4,667 | 4+ Nights | Flexible |
| 26 Apr 2025 | 4,875 | 4+ Nights | Flexible |
| 31 May 2025 | 5,200 | 4+ Nights | Flexible |
| 28 Jun 2025 | 6,500 | 7+ Nights | Saturday |
| 30 Aug 2025 | 5,200 | 4+ Nights | Flexible |
| 04 Oct 2025 | 4,380 | 4+ Nights | Flexible |
| 04 Apr 2026 | 4,900 | 4+ Nights | Flexible |
| 25 Apr 2026 | 5,119 | 4+ Nights | Flexible |
| 30 May 2026 | 5,460 | 4+ Nights | Flexible |
| 27 Jun 2026 | 6,825 | 7+ Nights | Saturday |
| 29 Aug 2026 | 5,460 | 4+ Nights | Flexible |
| 03 Oct 2026 | 4,599 | 4+ Nights | Flexible |
Rental & Booking Information
- Pool Private
Availability
Map
Local Amenities Nearby
Reviews
We celebrated our wedding in Italy and were searching for the perfect venue that was not only beautiful but also offered enough accommodation for about 30 guests over several days. That's how we discovered La Costola in Ceserana - and it was the best decision we could have made! The pictures on the booking website were stunning, but the reality was even better. Even though we couldn't visit the venue beforehand, we felt confident in our choice, especially thanks to the incredible support of the onsite wedding planner, Marie, who was recommended to us when we booked the property.
Marie was a tremendous help right from the start, particularly with coordinating local vendors. She provided us with a list of reliable service providers, which saved us the hassle of searching from abroad, especially given the language barrier. Once we made our decisions, Marie took over the organization and coordination for the big day, even reaching out to our band and photographer to ensure everything was aligned. This allowed us to relax and focus on enjoying the moment, a huge relief amidst the usual wedding stress. The owners of La Costola prepared an exquisite traditional Italian menu for our wedding day, crafted with love and attention to detail. It was a culinary highlight, and their warm hospitality made the day even more special. Marie supported us not only in the planning phase but also on the wedding day itself. Her assistance was invaluable, enabling us to organize our wedding from Germany without needing to visit Italy beforehand. Thanks to her, everything went smoothly, and the result was beyond anything we could have dreamed of.
Our four-night stay at La Costola was magical. We celebrated our wedding on one of the days and spent the rest of the time savoring la dolce vita: relaxing by the pool, enjoying the beautifully designed rooms, and soaking in the breathtaking surroundings. Most importantly, we cherished the quality time with our family and friends - a rarity in everyday life. When it was time to leave, we were genuinely sad. We could have easily stayed longer at this gorgeous place, but we are so grateful to carry these beautiful memories with us forever.
We wholeheartedly recommend celebrating your wedding at La Costola. The venue, Marie's expertise as a wedding planner, and the owners' exceptional cooking make for a truly unforgettable experience. Our wedding in Italy was the most magical event we've ever had - for us and for our guests.
Thank you, Marie and La Costola, for making our dream wedding in
Tuscany a reality!
Arrival date: 20 September, 2024
We booked the house for six days to celebrate my daughter's
wedding. Beforehand, Marie from the agency was invaluable, giving
us helpful tips on catering, pizza dinners, floral decorations and
patiently answering our many questions - all by email. The very
friendly Italian owners welcomed us and showed us around the
beautiful spacious main house, the former barn converted into a
'pool house' and the huge grounds, swimming pool, garden,
courtyard, large professional kitchen: everything was at our
disposal. And even the weather, the great imponderable when
celebrating outdoors, played along. It couldn't have been better.
Thank you very much!
Arrival date: 4 September, 2024
We were 23 members of the same family from 12 to 66 years old.
The house was perfect so that we could all be happy to be together
and each have our own space. The outside is incredible with its
gardens and swimming pool. The owners come round regularly and help
if there are any problems. The information we received in their
'guidebook' was top notch, whether it was rafting, restaurants or
markets nearby. Great place to make great memories!
Arrival date: 6 July, 2024
It was wonderful. We celebrated our wedding here and it was
perfect all round. The hosts are super nice and accommodating and
the food was fantastic. Pure recommendation :)
Arrival date: 20 September, 2024.
We celebrated our wedding here over 5 days with 27 family and
friends and we had the most amazing experience. The place is
spectacular! It is more beautiful than the pictures can show.
Plenty of space for a large group that we never felt on top of each
other. Area has many places to explore but you may also not want to
leave the beautiful villa! The owners were incredible and
celebrated with us throughout the weekend as well. The food cooked
by the owners and their team was also amazing. Planning process was
very smooth and easy. Definitely book this!!
Arrival date: 31 August, 2024.
This property has amazing views and an amazing experience. Close to a lot of small towns to visit. Less than and hour away from Lucca. This property is a true gem and the owners are fantastic. Do not miss out on their pizza night.
Arrival date: 14/09/24
We were looking for a place in Italy that worked for a large
extended family, and this worked out great for us. The lodging has
wonderful shared spaces, lovely grounds, and expansive views of the
surrounding countryside and mountains. The hosts were responsive,
and helpful, and very friendly. We booked two meals through the
catering option, and these were highlights of the trip, with
everyone talking about how great the food was and how fun to have
it served in such a great place. I was the one who organized this,
and it was the first time we'd ever taken this kind of
international trip together. Although the web site looked great, I
was still a little nervous that it would work for people in such a
large, diverse group of family, but I can say without hesitation
that it exceeded our expectations. We'll be talking for years about
the wonderful memories we made here.
Arrival date: 8 June, 2024
Wonderful time in very relaxed setting. Great that everyone had
their own space. Loved the informality of the place. Celebrated
sisters 70th in style. Owners very friendly and available but not
intrusive. Good time had by all.
Date of arrival - 25 May 2024
We had our wedding here and it was everything we dreamed of and
more! The location was even more amazing than the photos. By far
the most beautiful place we've ever been. The villa itself was
large enough to comfortably fit all of our guests (24 adults and
two infants). The rooms themselves were huge. There was no shortage
of space here! The wedding day went smoothly thanks to the help of
the villa owners and our wedding planner, Marie. They were there
the whole day and made sure everything was sorted with the
florists, cocktail hour, dinner, etc. They were incredible! We
can't say enough good things about the villa, location and hosts.
All of our guests left saying it was the most amazing
experience/weekend of their lives and we agree!
Arrival 9th May 2024
We were a group of 11 persons. The house was perfect for a large
group. Everyone had his own bedroom with private bathroom but we
had all meals together. If you like to cook, the house is really
well equipped with kitchen facilities. The host was very helpful
and attentive. We will be back.
Date of arrival - 17 April 2024
My spouse and I held our wedding here and it was beyond perfect.
We are from the states and had a group of 20 join us for the
weekend of our wedding. The villa was more perfect than we all
imagined! The owners were very friendly and Marie the coordinator
was amazing. Our wedding dinner was made by the owner and it was so
delicious. I couldn't recommend this property more- we can't wait
to go back one day.
Arrival 21/09/23
Fantastic house! Spectacular views. Even better than the photos.
We were a group of 29. Ranging from 2 to 80 years old. We enjoyed
the pool and dinners outside. Everyone had a wonderful time.
Arrival 19/08/23
Everything was absolutly georgeous! Rosalba and her Husband Are
wonderful hosts and the houses and, gardens and terraces are
magnificient. We can definitely recommend this place and we will
come back.
Arrival 28 May 2023
We celebrated our wedding here with our family and friends. It
was just great! The accommodation is beautifully laid out and the
apartments are well distributed. The hosts are very welcoming and
very nice. They cooked us the food at the wedding and the food was
fantastic! We like to think back to that time, it was wonderful all
around!
Arrival 17 May 2023
We just hosted a week long get away and wedding at the Costola property and we are beyond thrilled. The property is enormous and beautiful. We recieved nothing but thrilled comments from our guests. We hosted a wedding and Sunday brunch with pizza at the venue and both were perfect, from food to service to expierence. Many of us rented cars which I can't stress enough makes the area more accessible as its on the top of a windy mountain road. Theres a large grocery store near by so we made many of our meals on site. We even had a family emergency that our wonderful hosts helped us thru, solving a stressful and scary situation and for that we can not be more grateful. The whole time in Costola was a dream, start to finish. And and incredibly big thank you to Marie, Rosabela, and Armedeo for everything they've done for us.
Incredibly beautiful place, amazing view, we lacked
nothing. Celebrated my 60th birthday staying at Costola for 5 days
with 18 friends, best most fun party. The first day we ordered
pizza, good, generous and reasonably priced. We made the other
meals ourselves. Want to go there again!!!
Arrival: 08/09/2022
We, a family of 26 (from 9 years to 84), felt extremely
comfortable in the wonderful house that offers all the comforts.
The view is indescribably beautiful, the gardens are well-kept and
the pool with its many loungers is a communication center. We felt
welcomed by the hosts who did their best to meet our needs. It was
an unforgettable holiday for everyone.
Arrival: 20/08/2022
I have never stayed in such stunning accommodation.
Everything couldn't have been better.
Arrival: 05/06/2022
We were 20 adults, my children and grandchildren
respectively, who had a wonderful time together in Costola. We
helped with the cooking in the large restaurant kitchen, at the
grill or the pizza oven and ate together at the long table in front
of the house. We swam in the pool, played table tennis, hiked in
the mountains and enjoyed ourselves. A fantastic holiday.
Arrival: 24/05/2022
5 stars
for large groups a very good distribution; the evenings with pizza, four-course menu and classical Italian music were very nice and will be remembered for a long time. Very nice hosts! But also the equipment and layout of the houses was cozy and practical and always a great view. Pool and table tennis were great too!
Arrival 17 October 2021
5 stars
Superb property ideally located to enjoy nature and also the beautiful surrounding towns. The property offers independent apartments and also delicious culinary services! We had a great week, thank you Lorraine for her unfailing support and to the Italians on site who welcomed us with joy.
Arrival 7 August 2021
