Entire home

Villa, private pool in village, restaurants, pizza oven, free organic produce

Photo gallery for Villa, private pool in village, restaurants, pizza oven, free organic produce

Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Outdoor pool
Outdoor pool
Outdoor dining
Exterior

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 5120 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Barbecue grill
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Fireplace

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Villa, private pool in village, restaurants, pizza oven, free organic produce

Experience the beauty and charm of Tuscany with Friends of Tuscany Ltd., where we handle every detail of your villa booking to ensure a truly memorable holiday. With over 30 years of personal knowledge, we offer tailored services like grocery deliveries, homemade meals upon arrival, wine tours, children's activities, and recommendations for wild swimming spots, festivals, events, and the best local restaurants.

Located just a 3-minute walk from the medieval village Castiglione di Garfagnana, Casa Massimo offers spacious rooms, a private garden, and a 9-meter pool exclusively for guests. This is the perfect spot for a summer retreat in one of Tuscany’s most picturesque villages. Enjoy stunning views of the historic Castello from the garden, which features mature trees for shade and a traditional wood-fired oven for pizza.

The villa includes two large bedrooms (one sleeps three), a generously sized living room, a well-equipped kitchen, and a bathroom with shower. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed with a hamper of fresh organic produce from the owner, Massimo, who also shares his homemade wine, olive oil, and cheese throughout your stay.

Guests visiting in late September or October have the unique chance to participate in the grape harvest and witness traditional winemaking.

Nestled in the heart of Garfagnana, often called 'Hidden Tuscany,' Castiglione is known for its breathtaking scenery and reputation as a center of musical excellence. Castelnuovo, the nearby market town, offers a variety of restaurants, cafes, and shops, as well as a lively weekly market.

The area is perfect for outdoor activities like mountain biking, horse riding, and gorge walking, all of which can be arranged through our local partners.

With Friends of Tuscany, you're not just booking a villa, you're getting insider knowledge and personalized recommendations to make the most of your Tuscan getaway.

Property manager

Friends of Tuscany Ltd

Languages

English, Italian

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers

Ski

  • Close to skiing

Pool/Spa

  • Massage
  • Outdoor pool
  • Private pool

Internet

  • Available in the villa: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car not required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Kitchenette
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bidet
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • DVD player
  • TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • In-room accessibility
  • Designated smoking areas

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Meal delivery service

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In a village
  • In the mountains
  • Near a hospital
  • Near an outlet shopping centre

Things to do

  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Spelunking nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 1,292 square feet

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Children welcome

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

All guests, including children, must be present at check-in and show their government-issued photo ID card or passport
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed GBP 5000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation
A car is not required for transport to and from this property

Property is also known as

Casa Massimo Medieval Village Restaurants Free Wine Villa
Casa Massimo Medieval Village Restaurants Free Wine Villa
Casa Massimo Medieval Village Restaurants Free Wine

About the area

Map
Castiglione di Garfagnana, Tuscany

What's nearby

  • Apuan Alps - 9 min drive - 8.5 km
  • Parco Avventura Selva del Buffardello - 14 min drive - 13.7 km
  • Sanctuary of San Pellegrino in Alpe - 18 min drive - 15.4 km
  • Val di Luce - 44 min drive - 42.8 km
  • Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park - 65 min drive - 43.9 km

Getting around

  • Castelnuovo di Garfagnana Station - 12 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Il Pozzo - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Ristorante Pizzeria Il Triti - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Albergo Ristorante Il Grotto - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪La Rocca - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Teatro Alfieri - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Villa, private pool in village, restaurants, pizza oven, free organic produce have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Villa, private pool in village, restaurants, pizza oven, free organic produce pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Villa, private pool in village, restaurants, pizza oven, free organic produce?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Villa, private pool in village, restaurants, pizza oven, free organic produce?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Villa, private pool in village, restaurants, pizza oven, free organic produce located?

Situated in the mountains, this villa is 2.8 mi (4.5 km) from Pontecosi Lake and within 6 miles (10 km) of Ariostesca Castle and Duomo. Archaeological Museum and Apuan Alps are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Villa & private pool in village, restaurants, pizza oven, free organic produce Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 31 out of 36 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 36 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 36 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 36 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 36 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

James H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Home from home with the best host
A spacious property with loads of outdoor space (and pool). We were very comfortable here and could easily have stayed longer. The host, Massimo, is very friendly and most generous. We thought the village was charming and Castelnuovo is well worth a visit.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nadine and Jeff B., North Shore

Liked: Cleanliness
True Tuscany
Our family of three adult children and their parents gathered together at Massimo’s to celebrate each other and our Italian adventure. What a treat to venture into a true Tuscan community. We ate their food, drank their wine and enjoyed their true friendliness and hospitality. Massimo welcomed us on the first night with a table full of fun, laughter and food. His kindness continued throughout the week of our stay. You could not ask for a more genuine and generous host. He also respected our private times even though he lived above us. We certainly hope to return to this Tuscan treasure!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Simon A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful property, very friendly owner
Beautiful property in a lovely town in the Tuscan hills. Excellent value and a lovely stay. The host, Massimo is generous, friendly and considerate
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Greg W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fabulous holiday
This was our 2nd time staying here. The villa is fantastic, the location is beautiful so close to the village and with amazing view. Outdoor features, like the pool, barbeque, garden, off-road parking, etc are all brilliant. And the host, Massimo is wonderful, so friendly, welcoming and convivial.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Navita R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Idyllic 2 week stay
Spacious, clean and well appointed villa with the great big benefits of a pool, shaded floral garden and great views from the driveway. We loved our two weeks here and would definitely consider returning. Castiglione village (a few mins walk away) is small but perfect and has a couple of restaurants and the bar for apperitivo / gelato. More amenities and dining options are available in neighbouring towns just 10 mins drive away. Il Pozzo lives up to the advertising and recommendations for a lovely dinner. We had read reviews of Massimo’s hospitality but we’re still very pleasantly surprised at his kindness and generosity: red wine, Prosecco, fresh produce and ice creams for the kids throughout the stay. He gives you full privacy but is always close if you need help or to offer you a drink on your way in or out! Despite not speaking English we had some good chats with him, thanks to our broken Italian and good old Google. We had some wonderful day trips to the beautiful Vagli sotti, Pisa, beach at Forte dei Marmi and canyoning - all recommendations in the information provided by Friends of Tuscany after booking. Definitely recommend the cooking class at home with Francesca. In short, go ahead and book. You won’t be disappointed!!
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Danyal S., London

Liked: Cleanliness
A great place to stay in the north of Tuscany
This is a fantastic location in the Northern part of Tuscany, with valleys to climb to mountain passes and tiny village in magnificent scenery. The local village has a post office, greengrocers, and small food shop as well as a bar, and a restaurant. I think the property description undersells the location - I was unfamiliar with Tuscany, and having spent a week in Florence, we were looking for a place in the Tuscan countryside. Perhaps most visitors already know what they are getting, but it was a lovely part of the world to be in, on the lower slops of the mountains above the valley below, with national parks close to hand. The house, is the self contained ground floor of a larger house, with sole use of the swimming pool and garden. The pool is a proper solid dug in pool and good for decent short lengths of swimming. We were in the pool to cool off most days, after coming in from exploration. The house itself has everything you could need. After coming from a modern flat renovation in Florence the previous week, it was nice to come to a place that had clearly been a home. It was the house that Massimo, the owner, grew up in and lives annexed to. Massimo is a kind host - available to sort out the minor issues - push to set the washing machine, and then pull the dial to operate! If your Italian is better than mine, you’ll find a great conversation partner and equally, we were undisturbed and he will leave you to get on with things. A wonderful local host, I think. In conclusion, a great place to stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sandi B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Idyllic week in Tuscany
I chose this property first and foremost because of the host. The reviews of his welcoming and generous personality were stellar! Then the property was so perfect too: quiet, comfortable, a lovely pool, garden, steps to the walled village and piazza where we could get produce, or eat out. It felt completely magical. We were so happy there
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

VincavK

Liked: Cleanliness
Authentic, clean, heartwarming hospitality
What a lovely place this is. The welcome was heartwarmingly hospitable. A surprisingly full fridge, reception by owner Massimo with his own wine in abundance, ice creams for the children. Our Italian got better with every glass of prosecco ;-) The rest of the week the owner played a modest role with a smile or a bowl of delicious fresh figs. The pool is lovely, clean and set in a lovely garden. The house is authentically furnished, which makes you feel right at home. And above all, everything is spotless. We slept well and enjoyed it. Highly recomended.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Yvonne H., London, UK

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay at Massimo's house
High up in the hills right next to the mediaeval fortified village of Castiglione, this place is a delight. Owner Massimo's generosity knows no bounds - he supplied us with more superb produce than we could eat, including an endless supply of fresh funghi porcini, bottles of his excellent red wine, home made salami and vegetables. The pool and garden were perfect, it was calm and peaceful and we had plenty of space. This is the house where Massimo was born and he & his charming wife still live upstairs - on hand to help whenever necesssary. And it feels like a home, a lived-in, welcoming space with lovely old furniture and a workable kitchen. Lucca - a favourite haunt - is less than a hour's drive away with many other stunning towns and magnificent villas, parks and gardens nearby. It's sad that a couple of apartment blocks have been built on two sides of the garden effectively blocking the view over the village but a short stroll into the front garden reveals the castle and the old walls. Highly recommended for a stay in a relatively unknown but beautiful part of Tuscany.
Stayed 12 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Geoffrey L., Walton-On-Thames

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely peaceful place to stay
We had a lovely time staying here. The house was clean and had everything we needed. The house and garden were much larger than we thought from the photos, brilliant! Our three children really enjoyed playing in the pool and in the gardens which are pretty and well kept. Castiglione is very quaint and lovely to wander around, we enjoyed walking out after dinner to have a gelato and enjoy the mountain views. This is a beautiful part of Tuscany, we had successful trips to Barga and Lucca, easy to drive to and easy to park. Massimo was an amazing, friendly host we really enjoyed the welcome from him on our arrival, delightful Prosecco and Red wine and gelato for the children! Thank you so much.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Gerry W.

Lovely
Wonderful welcome and friendly help during our stay. We appreciated the persecco and fresh produce kindly provided by Massimo. Great accommodation and we really enjoyed the pool. Castiglione is a gem and we can definitely recommend the greengrocers!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Vivian S., Wadebridge

A fantastic villa with all you need for a Tuscan break
Casa Massimo is a real taste of northern Tuscany. Situated in Garfagnana, you are 45 mins from Lucca and 2 hrs from Florence. Within 20 mins you can reach some superb unspoilt areas with superb local restaurants and cafes sampling some of the wonderful food from the local area. Prices are reasonable and quality and standards are high. Massimo is a wonderful host that offers amazing hospitality and is on hand to assist with where the best places are to visit, eat and drink. The family will give you the time that you need to support your holiday without being too invasive. We cannot wait to return for our third visit.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2018

8/10 Good

Steven G.

We loved our stay
Massimo was a wonderful host, it's a beautiful villa, will definitely return one day
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2017

10/10 Excellent

Mike E.

Massimo the host and the villa excellent
The walled village is beautiful, Massimo the host is lovely, very generous and keen to ensure you have sampled his wine and prosecco at every opportunity. The villa as pool are excellent and in easy walking of the bars etc. The are is very different to that most expect of Tuscany as it is very mountainous and alpine. There are numerous hill top villages to visit and one can venture into Pisa, Lucca and even Florence easily - the latter is better by train from Lucca. Then return to Garfagnana where everything is about half the price than the more touristy areas. Again, Massimo couldn't have been more helpful and friendly and even allowed us to use the log fired Pizza oven - something that once used you will never buy one !! Don't bother going to the beach at Massa.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

J Nanista N.

Very welcoming and friendly
Many thanks to Massimo for a great holiday, everyone was so welcoming and friendly. From the property the views are outstanding across the village and the mountain tops. We enjoyed the privacy of the garden for a few hours chill time but we also enjoyed our walks out from all directions from the house! We took a few taxi rides out to larger towns which was perfect to see a little more of the surrounding area and try different restaurants. Lovely holiday hope to go back soon.

10/10 Excellent

Robert H.

Attractive comfortable family home, welcoming tactful host and great area to explore.
Ideal base for two couples to share. Comfortable and relaxing house. Good pool and surroundings. An exceptionally generous welcoming host in Massimo. This is a good base to explore a hidden gem of Italy. The instructions advised there being no need to go much further afield than 10 kms around. This is helpful for a relaxing holiday as the village is a nice place to wander around with cafe overlooking the surrounding countryside, there are are beautiful spectacular walks around in the mountains, particularly in the nearby national park, and good cafes and restaurants in the local area. To get to the big towns is quite a hike on winding roads which are not much fun unless you have a little sports car. There is a good reason the locals all drive little Fiats.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2016

10/10 Excellent

John D., London

The most fantastic holiday
Castiglioni di Garfagnana is a beautiful Tuscon village set in the most amazing country side with stunning views in all directions. Cassa Massimo is a great base to explore the area or lounge by the pool relaxing. The accommodation is fantastic for couples of small families. Without doubt the owner Massimo is one of the nicest, genuine, hospitable people I have ever met. He made us fell so welcome from the moment we arrived. He showed huge generosity with his own produced wine and we enjoyed a couple of evenings with him in his canteena drinking and eating his own produced cured meets and cheeses. The local town is a 2 minute walk and has 2 bars, a green grocer, mini market and restaurant. We tried them all and were all fantastic. You ca walk down to the mini market in the morning to collect fresh bread and take a coffee and relax in the sunshine. Absolutely perfect. I cannot recommend Cassa Massimo highly enough. This was the best holiday we have had and have already booked to return next year. Thank you Massimo, it was an great pleasure to meet you and we look forward to returning next year.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2016

10/10 Excellent

Uwe K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Super
It was really a great vacation. We felt super comfortable. The house has a typical Italian flair, the pool was always clean and in top condition. The exceptionally helpful landlord Massimo made the stay a successful holiday with his hospitable manner. We can also recommend the Bar Alimentario, where you can have an excellent breakfast with a typical Italian dish coming and going. The staff at Alimentario is very friendly and welcoming. Uwe & Paula Uli & Uwe
Stayed 12 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Friedrich G.

Liked: Cleanliness
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Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rutger B., Enschede

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect stay
Prachtige villa op een prachtige locatie. Gelegen op loop afstand van een sfeervol klein dorpje. Hier zijn alle basis voorzieningen verkrijgbaar. Op 10 minuten rijden is er een supermarkt en de grotere plaats met heel veel goede restaurants. Het huis is stijlvol en de tuin prachtig. Waarbij vooral het zwembad veel indruk maakt. De eigenaar en property manager zijn zeer vriendelijk en reageren beide erg snel op vragen en verzoeken. Dit huis is echt een aanrader.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Johan Stulien R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Unforgettabel week at Casa Massimo
We had a fantastic week at Casa Massimo. Helpful and wonderful host/manager. Great place/location of the property. Really nice garden and outdoor pool. We had a rental car the whole week, which is recommended to get around visiting places. All in all, a great experience. 10/10!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Murielle D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Un petit paradis
Merci à Massimo pour son accueil, cela restera une soirée mémorable ! La maison et surtout les extérieurs sont très agréables. La piscine est grande et régulièrement entretenue par Massimo, c'est un vrai plus. Le village est à quelques minutes à pied avec tout le nécessaire : petite épicerie, dépôt de pain, bar, restaurant. La région est très belle et le village fait un bon point de départ pour la découvrir.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Peter B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Sehr zu empfehlen
Sehr herzliche und zuvorkommende Vermieter, sehr schöne ruhige Gegend, unmittelbar nahe des Dorfes, wo man alles Notwendige für den täglichen Bedarf bekommt.
Stayed 21 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Susanne L., Ebringen

Liked: Cleanliness
Der Besitzer ist überaus zuvorkommend!
Wir wurden von Anfang an verwöhnt! Alles sehr sauber, der Kühlschrank gefüllt, Massimo ist sehr gastfreundlich und zuvorkommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jessica B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastisk vistelse
Vi hade en underbar semestervecka hos Casa Massimo. Som många andra skriver så är Massimo en fantastisk värd, oerhört välkomnande, genuin och generös vilket tillförde så mycket extra till upplevelsen. Boendet är väldigt rent, fräscht och mysigt och när vi kom välkomnades vi med en mängd olika matvaror i kylen plus vin kaffe och andra godsaker. Vi blev inbjudna till "Massimos cantina" flertalet gånger under vår vecka och fick smaka på Massimos egengjorda prosecco, vin och oliver m.m. Barnen fick glass och dricka. Så otroligt generöst! Vi fick också en hel del tips på utflykter i området vilket var värdefullt. Byn som boendet ligger i är väldigt vacker och charmig och det finns massor att upptäcka i närområdet. En dag gjorde vi en utflykt till Lago di Gramolazzo och kan varmt rekommendera att besöka denna vackra sjö som var underbar att bada i. På eftermiddagarna var det väldigt härligt att ha poolen att bada i och trädgården att koppla av i. Vi är oerhört nöjda med vår semester och kommer definitivt att komma tillbaka till Casa Massimo snart!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022