LA PIANA DEI CASTAGNI

Traditional Emilian farmhouse made for the good life

CHECK INTO THIS COMFORTABLE 19th century farmhouse high above a valley with views of the Tuscan-Emilia hills to forget about it all. Guests come to La Piana dei Castagni to dump their stressful baggage and switch on to the simple life.

The mellow stone house reached along a winding track sprinkled with leafy chestnut trees (hence  the name 'Castagni')) may look a modest starting point, but the serenity herabouts and the warmth of owner Valeria Vitali lend it lashings of down-on-the-farm appeal.

La Piana dei Castagni is somewhere to idle, read or paint the hillside vistas from the terrace and sunny courtyard, with its climbing roses. Alternatively, you can potter around local markets, go truffle-hunting or set off on breezy country treks. And a stay here certainly won't break the bank.

You're sure to meet your fellow guests in the evening, when dinners are cooked to order. Look forward to traditional Emilian house specialities like tigelle montanare, tortelloni alle ortiche and torta de riso. 

Dinners cooked to order

La Piana dei Castagni is within reach of three national parks, not to mention working farms where Parmesan cheeses, balsamic vinegar and fine Appenine wines are produced. There’s a lively fire during cooler months in the farmhouse’s sunnily painted dining room, while simply decorated bedrooms in restful pastels, with rustic prints and bedcovers, are made for curled-up nights.

Head off to Florence and Bologna if you're in need of a city fix, or take in the dozens of medieval villages and farms in the locale.


La Piana dei Castagni was reviewed by Room for Romance

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Dining in
Italians are rightly proud of their home cooking and you’ll see why here. Simple, hearty and traditional Emilia-Romagna dishes such as the classic tagliatelle al ragù bolognese will leave you glowing.

Dining out
There are several great restaurants in the area. Osteria Gea in nearby Villa d’Aiano is only 3km away. Osteria del Sole in Zocca is a little further (12km), but well worth the trip.

See & Do
There's plenty to keep nature lovers busy here: you're surrounded by some of the loveliest countryside in Italy. Make a beeline for the Montesole historic park (built in memory of the Nazi massacre in 1944) for a walk, ride or cycle. Motor racing fans can make a pilgrimage to Modena, the home town of both Ferrari and Pavarotti. If you're short of inspiration your hosts will happily organise wine tasting and other excursions for you.

Shop
Stock up with some great local foods to take home in Caseifici. You’ll find wonderful Parmigiano cheese and other edibles. Label lovers should head for Bologna or Modena.

After dark
This is relaxation country. Sit outside under the stars or make your excuses and head for bed.

Dates
Late April – June
Bologna's yearly music festival features everything from Baroque to be-bop.

GETTING THERE

Location
Via Lusignano, 40040 Rocca di Roffeno

Parking
There is free guest parking

Trains
Vergato station – 14km

Taxis
EUR 25-30 from the station

Airport
Bologna – 45km

ESSENTIAL INFO

Rates guide
EUR 70 - 100

Open/closed
Closed 15 November – 15 March

Check-in
4pm

Check-out
10:30am

Minimum night stay?
Three nights if you’re on half-board

Breakfast
Buffet breakfast is served until 10:30am. Tuck into cured meats, freshly baked bread and pastries, honey, jam and of course castagni (chestnuts).

Room service
No

Children
Welcome

Pets
No

Air conditioning
No

Languages
Italian and a little English

Wedding license?
No

Your contact
Valeria Vitali – owner