Everything was absolutly georgeous! Rosalba and her Hausband Are wonderful hosts and the housesand, gardens and terrasses are magnificient. We can definitiv recommend this Placement we will Gary to come back.

Our week at this location was simply amazing!!! Remote, in the mountains with magical sights. One could truly feel in the clouds. The hosts were kind and super friendly, and the place and the food were incredible. Both of the hosts were just amazing and always willing to help. No matter what request or wish, there were always more than willing to help and give recommendations. It felt like a little piece of home :) I can only recommend your stay there!

This spot was everything we hoped it would be. We had a group of 16 and had plenty of space together and apart. We had talked about renting a villa in Tuscany and it was as beautiful and unique as we had ever hoped for. Our hosts Rosalba and Amedeo were so charming and gracious. They didn’t speak English but we communicated very well. They cooked 2 meals for us and we all agreed that pizza nite was our best meal! They were able to quickly come help us when we locked ourselves in the main building, and were accessible when we needed something. The pool was very well used as it was very hot the end of our trip. We would suggest getting fans for those really hot nights! Other than that the accommodations were wonderful! We all were able to sit together for our meals on the patio area. We also cooked a few meals and the kitchens were well stocked with plenty of cook wear, utensils and serving dishes. The small towns all around were wonderful and we were close enough to trains to easily get into them. We still all talk about what an amazing trip that was!

We are a group of 6 families who spent a week at this absolutely fantastic property. We rented the whole property. It’s a beautiful place with a stunning view. There’s room for both privacy and for dining together. It’s most definitely recommendable.

This was a wonderful place with comfortable space for all the Family. All rooms were very nicely furnished, and there was outdoor room for a big table, where we all 22 could be seated together for the meals and other activities. The large swimming pool was popular for everyone, and there were stunning views over the mountains and valleys in all directions. The property was clean and well kept, and at least once a week the owner came by to check, that everything was fine. From a large vegetable garden we could pick tomatoes, squash, Salad and other veggies as well as figs and other fruit from the trees. The location is within driving distance from the old cities Pisa and Firenze, and there are many nice locations to visit, and where you can buy local wines and other specialties. Also there are well supplied supermarkets within a short distance. I certainly would recommend this place for any group, who wants to spend a vacation in a quiet, beuatiful place with all facilities within reach.

great and spacy property with very different syle and size appartments. Some have great view others are rather small with no view. Pool and pizza oven ar great to enjoy relaxing and joint cooking. Many options to spend time outdoor (hicking, bycicling, city tours). Very friendly host family who gave us an introduction to the history of the building, a tour to the church tower and allowed us to harvest fresh tomatoes in the garden.

I spent a long weekend in Fosciandora for a "surprise" event around my wife's birthday. We were a group of more than 20 people aged from 9 to 50. We booked all the apartments in the Convento for a total privacy. Location is beautiful while apartments are nice and clean. Amadeo and Rosalba were just great and we felt like to be at home. Last but not least the accomodation is absolutely cheap

We stayed in a two bedroomed apartment with spectacular views over the countryside from both balconies. The apartment was clean and very well equipped. The outside space was fantastic. A lovely terrace for eating outside. The pool was beautiful. It was clean and well maintained with very comfortable sun beds. There is also a ping pong table. The owners were lovely, so welcoming, leaving us fresh figs, tomatoes from their garden. They had limited English and we had very limited Italian but we managed to communicate. This apartment is located in a little hilltop village. It is incredibly peaceful. It is perhaps a little nerve wracking the first time driving up to the village but we were soon confidently negotiating the bends! There is a very basic shop and a small train station at the bottom of the hill but Castelnuovo di garfagnana is only about 15min drive away. There is a bigger train station there and all the shops and restaurants you would need. There is an enormous supermarket 15 minutes drive away in Gallicano should you need it. The surrounding area is beautiful we went to Lucca on the train, visited the street market in Castelnuovo on the Thursday morning. We went tree climbing in parc aventura in San Romano and visited the underground caves. We didn't have time to hire mountain bikes or go canyoning, but all are available close by. We had a wonderful holiday here and can't wait to come back!!

This is a great property if you need a place for a lot of people. It had beautiful views, nice pool and helpful management. We did experience some shortcomings that impacted our enjoyment. We had a lot of people and filled the property. There were several appliances that completely did not work (at least 1 refrigerator and 1 stove). We were told they would be repaired but they were not. Also, while this property has the space to do it, they could really improve customer experience if they were better equipped for people to spend time together in the common areas. Because there is no common kitchen, to eat together we had to pull everyone's dishes together and pull out chairs, etc.... from individual apartments to make the outdoor dining areas work to eat together. Since we were visiting from all over the place, we wanted to spend time together, not be holed up in individual apartments! The website makes it sound like you can do this at the property, but it is a challenge! The newer "barn" apartments are fabulous. The older "monastery" apartments are beautifully historic, but could use some upgrading and a deep clean, and several have very poor lighting. The on-site property managers were very helpful and prepared a meal that can only be described as fabulous!! The vineyard tour we were referred to was awesome. The cooking class referral was disappointing. Overall not bad - but with a little effort the facilities here could be fabulous!

Our family group of 17 (adults and children - 4 up to 24) had a marvellous time in this beautiful converted monastery. The old building itself was a pleasure to be in, full of character and lovely interiors, and the more modern poolside house had its own more contemporary charm. Fantastic views on all sides of the stunning mountains, excellent pool of a decent size and lovely terraced gardens. Our hosts Lorraine and Amadeo were very helpful; the only problem we had was when the washing machine stopped working on our last day and that was fixed pretty swiftly. The surrounding countryside was stunning, lots of lovely towns to visit, particularly Barga close by and Lucca a bit further away. The little bar and shop in Migliano, a kilometer from the house, was a friendly and useful resource, and the huge supermarket at Gallicano had everything we needed. A particular favourite place to eat was the wonderful restaurant at the bottom of the hill run by scottish/italian chef Claudio - Ristorante Bar Il Ponte di Ceserana. The steep and sharply curved drive from the main road up to the house was a little nerve wracking at times and I would certainly stress the importance of having a decent engine - one of us struggled on the upward journey with a Fiat 500 containing 4 people and a lot of luggage! We would be delighted to revisit another time. Thank you Lorraine and Amadeo for a wonderful holiday!

We had a fantastic time in La Villa as the village near Fosciandora is called. We stayed in the beautifully restored converted barn that sits apart from the monastery. It is even better than in the pictures! The views were stunning. Very early in the morning little churches and villages would rise from the mist. By 8 the whole valley was dipped in sunshine and the sunsets were wonderful as well. We had a large terrace where we ate a lot of our meals. We thought the people in Garfagnana were very friendly and relaxed. We went on a couple of hikes (see the mountains behind the steeple?) but also visited lovely Lucca, overcrowded Firenze and Volterra (for the Twilight fans). It seems as if all the villages in the Garfagnana area are worth visiting and we went there to explore, for meals, coffee and icecream. We also tried a few of the village celebrations and one on top of the mountain above Fosciandora. When we came home again we relaxed by the pool. We planned on staying for about a week but in the end we didn't want to leave. Luckily we could stay longer. The owners were very nice and helpful and our beautiful apartment was clean. The whole area seemed like a hidden gem to us. Would definitely consider going back.

When we were offered this property as a late booking last summer we thought it could not be as amazing as the photos, but it was. We stayed in the smaller farmhouse building in a well appointed 2 bed, 2 bath apartment. The view from both balconies was stunning and we ate all our meals outside. Having the pool on site was great. We didn't get out and about as much as we had hoped because the location was wonderfully relaxing. There were enough restaurants and shopping facilities in the area and the owners were very accommodating, popping in regularly to check everything was ok. We would fully recommend this property to larger groups wanting to holiday together.

We loved it! A group of over 20 family and friends met to celebrate a range of birthdays. The area is beautiful, the accommodation was just as described and the owners were very friendly. The pool was popular and the meal cooked for us was a great celebration. Cars are fairly essential, but used for going out in small groups during the day. We gathered each night to eat together in the courtyard under the stars. It was the perfect place for a relaxing week. Having separate apartments gave privacy when it was needed. Definitely recommended.

I have to go back in time because we stayed in this property in 2007. However, it was glorious and it sounds as though it has maintained itself well from the other reviews! This place really is something out of a dream. The owners are hospitable, the privacy is astounding, and the views can't be put into words!

We could not have had a better holiday in this villa - the building is stunning, the pool a great size and well looked after, and the views incredible. We were a family party of 22 but never felt crowded as the building is split into apartments, each with its own bedroom, sitting room, kitchen/diner and bathroom (NB the kitchens have hobs and microwaves but no ovens, although we managed to cook plenty of food nonetheless). The place was beautifully maintained and the owners really friendly, although they didn't speak much English. We organised for them to cook for us in the traditional wood-burning oven in the grounds and it was well worth the cost, which included quite a lot of wine! They even have a CD system which allows music to play throughout the pool and courtyard areas. There is plenty to see nearby, either by car or by train from the local station, as well as lovely walks in the surrounding hills We visited Lucca, Pisa and the market in Castelnuovo, as well as taking a few walks through the surrounding hills and villages. There was much more we could have gone to see but the location itself was so idyllic we ended up not leaving very often. Things to be aware of: 1. the building is at the top of a very steep hill up a winding road - the directions from the website are very accurate and easy to follow, but make sure the car is in good nick or it won't make it to the top! 2. because of its location on this hill there is a fair amount of climbing during the stay - from the car to the building; up the stairs to the apartments; up the stairs or slope to the pool and other parts of the grounds, and down again - well worth it for the views, but not suitable for anyone with limited mobility and probably not for pushchairs or wheelchairs either. We would highly recommend this location to (reasonably fit) large groups looking for a relaxing time by the pool, cultural or shopping days out and great food and wine. We all agreed it was our best family holiday yet!

We spent a week at this amazing villa in June 2011. We searched a long time for somewhere suitable for a group of 20 (9 adults and 11 kids) as a 40th birthday celebration and this place was perfect! As others have said the photos on here do not in any way do the property justice. The views are simply breathtaking. We were a group of five families with kids ranging from 1 - 12 yrs old and we found the individual apartments excellent as we each had our own space to escape to if needed, that said we tended to cater on mass most of the time as there is a fantastic BBQ and a pizza oven to cook in. You simply must take the opportunity to have Amadeo and Rosalba cook for you when you stay. For 30 euro a head you will be treated to a feast with wine and grappa. The whole place lights up at night and there is an outdoor stereo system for guests to use. The hosts are a wonderful couple but they speak very litte english so be prepared. They also have a restaurant under the villa for guests to use if they wish. The local area is great and would recommend Lucca, Pisa and Florence as day trips and there is a wonderful national parc near by which the children loved. The pool was beautifully clean and is up away from the main house which was reassuring with small children. The top apartments do have the most wonderful balconies but you are not suitable for very small children. The older ones loved sitting up there before bed time, chatting and drawing while we were enjoying some grown up time on the terrace below. I can't recommend this place highly enough - it is amazing. The only improvement opportunties would be to have a floor plan of the property to make it easier to work out the layout before you arrive and a guest book that people could share their views and experiences of the area. Thank you - we hope to be back one day :-)

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, it was wonderful! We are so lucky to have experienced such a beautiful and peaceful part of Italy! The villa was lovely, even better than we had imagined! It worked really well for our large group. We made good use of the bbq and outdoor living areas. The meals we had prepared for us by Rosalba and Amadeo were delicious and made for lovely evenings! We would recommend this property highly. The location was perfect for a relaxing stay but also close enough to well known and out of they way places for sightseeing. And the owners/staff are very welcoming, helpful, lovely people. If only we could have stayed longer!

I Invited friends and family two stay at this fantastic place for my 40 birthday. The monasterie are really beautiful and the atmosphere in and around the monastery is like being put back in time. The view of the valley takes your breath away. We were 25 guest, staying in the 6 appartments, with plenty of room, and very clean and beautiful. I booked the monasterie through the Home and Away and tusscan retreats, and Lorriane and Sara were very helpful throughout the process. on my birthday ??the owners made food for us in the old "restuarent" in the basement which is really charming and the food and their hospitality where perfect. Thank you very much. The pool and area around the monastery are fantastically beautiful and is perfectly situated for hiking or driving tours in the old towns in the mountains. All in all a great place, deffiently certainly the best place ever. It is not the last time we visit Costola and the Garfagnana John from Denmark

We all had a fantastic week in this amazing monastery. We rented the whole property for a group of 21 friends (11 adults/10 children). Each family had their own apartment, so we had privacy if we wanted, but in reality we spent most of the time together in the courtyard or in the lovely pool. On three occasions our wonderful hosts cooked for us and this was lovely - great food and wine, although be warned, the owner Amadeo brings out some lethal Grappa for those that dare! The children (aged from 3-11) loved this property, although you will have to keep an eye on the very young ones as there are some steep steps and they can easily get lost in this vast house. We just locked the apartment doors as we left them and we also took the keys out of the balcony doors. But once you've 'child-proofed' then things are fine and we had no issues. The area is also beautiful and we had some lovely days out - taking a drive up some of the mountain roads is an experience in itself !! All amenities are within a few miles, from a major large supermarket to quaint little deli's. The owners are a delightful family, and were wonderful with all the children, but have your phrase book in hand as they speak very little English! I have to say, the photos don't really do it full justice - when you're in the pool, with the amazing view you really do feel like you're on the top of the world! ... And when you're dancing to the Italian classical music that Amadeo will put on the outside stereo in the evening, after an amazing meal, and the children are tucked up safely in bed, your 'stressed' life back in the 'real world' feels a million miles away! As a group we have been away together 6 times and I can say that this is the best property so far. Although the others were really nice, this is probably the only one that I would really want to go back to.

This is a really fantastic villa. We got married in a nearby town and stayed here with family and friends for the week. It is split into very good appartments so people could have their own space if required. It has been beautiful renovated and equiped well. The balconies and terraces are superb with the main terrace having a wood b urning oven in it. The pool is the icing on the cake and has sun on it all day. The owners are lovely and very friendly. They cooked us all a meal in the wood burnig oven of traditional Tuscan food. It was fantastic and a must if you are lucky enough to stay here. We cannot praise this property enough and hope one day to go back.

The villa is a great place to relax far from the 'maddening crowd' It provides a very unique combination of privacy (there are 5 apartments) and inviting, cozy common areas. We vacationed there with 2 other couples and we all loved the views, the pool and hanging out together. There is a large supermarket not far from the villa and a number of good restaurants nearby. The owners are very friendly - I wish we spoke more Italian. The villa is a real gem - it is actually better than it looks on the pictures. A great place to detox and reconnect with friends, family and self!

We had an amazing week here. We rented the whole property for a birthday "do" and it worked perfectly. There were 6 families and we had an apartment each - this meant that we had privacy if we wanted to get away from everyone and we all breakfasted in our own apartments. At lunchtime we ate outside in the courtyard (this is even better than it looks on the pictures) and in the evening one of the apartments was big enough for all 18 of us to eat together. The owners cooked for us twice and the food was fantastic. You must also check out Claudios at the bottom of the hill - the food here was amazing and it kept on coming! Il Pozzo is also worth a visit and the shop beneath sells lovely local wine. The house exceeded our expectations, everywhere looked like it has just been renovated and had no signs of looking tired at all. The children loved the pool, which is also spotless. The owners don't speak any English - so take your phrase book!

This is a beautifully restored, clean and well maintained villa. Because it can be divided into smaller units it would be suitable for several families holidaying together. The owners were very friendly and the cooking was superb. There are walks around the small village and beautiful views. Lucca is also accessible by train.