Once in a lifetime experiences

Funghi Porcini Hunting

We can organise expeditions for you to find Funghi Porcini near the villa, this adventure is best experienced by our guests during September or October, the perfect conditions are dependent on slight rain and still wind, here is the feedback from one set of guests who enjoyed Funghi Porcini hunting “2kg of Porcini and three hours of fun. Planning on Funghi again on Monday. Walking in chestnut groves. Having a great time and the weather is good.” Funghi Porcini are indigenous to our area and much of the cuisine makes the most of their presence. You can eat them fresh in pasta or dry them out to use later in the year. In order to find them it is best if you are accompanied by our guide, as it is easy to get disoriented in the woods and, as a wonderful “old hand” described that to be successful at finding the precious Funghi it is best to “have eyes in your feet”. For further details see link to our recreation suggestions 

VISIT AN NATIONAL AWARD WINNING VINEYARD

Podere Concori which is across the valley from us  has won several national awards for its organic and biodynamic wine.
The vineyard has been in the family three generations, at one time a working farm, the current “vignaiolo” Gabriele Da Prato, studied the art of winemaking in Burgundy. All work is done by hand using natural herbs and plants instead of chemicals, following age old traditions of wine making. The result is a delightful wine that slips down a treat. Discover the secrets of wine making, try the wines and enjoy a light lunch. 

Join in the “Vendemmia”

If you enjoy gardening, are staying at La Collina del Sole and would like to try something new, try helping out at our vendemmia, our expert team will show you how to pick grapes, which ones to pick and which to discard ( heart breaking but essential as a couple of bad bunches will turn the whole crop ). The vendemmia usually takes place in September, although it is dependent on the amount of sun La Collina del Sole has enjoyed over the summer, and the amount of rain that has quenched the land. A vendemmia day typically starts very early in the morning and the best grapes are picked and put aside to make the 1st pressing for the organic wine of “La Collina del Sole” the remainder of the grapes that are usable are picked and also pressed and made into a slightly less refined wine. The day is long and exhausting but very satisfying we suggest you end it with a “feast” from our wonderful caterer Maria,

Live the Lucca Festival experience

Lucca attracts phenomenal talent each year In July, like Stevie Wonder, the Backstreet Boys, Eagles and even Elton John! The setting is very relaxed in Piazza Napoleone within the Lucca walls. We can help in getting tickets and transport if you do not want to drive to Lucca.  Guests of ours enjoyed a concert of their favourite band here is what they had to say. “The concert was great. The atmosphere was very laid back and friendly. I'm not sure whether it was at full capacity or not but there was plenty of space. We stood near the back where there was plenty of space and no fear of losing the children or them getting squashed but we could still see really well. The acoustics were good too. We parked in a car park outside the walls on the southern side and getting in and out was really easy - certainly beats getting out of Wembley stadium! For up to date information check www.summer-festival.com

massage at the villa

We can source a wonderful young woman who will come to La Collina del Sole to give you and your family a massage treat to  get into the relaxing mood The list of available massages is:

• Anti-stress on face, hands feet & body with essential oils

• Aromatherapy 

• Circulation aiding massage

Each massage lasts approximately 50 minutes, she will bring a massage table which can be left at la Collina del Sole if multiple sessions are envisaged. The masseuse uses mainly almond oil alongside essential oils, she is a fluent German speaker.
 

Watch the Swallows “Happy Hour”

Foodie Delights

Olive Oil and Wine Tasting

As a guest of La Collina del Sole we can book your wine or Tuscan olive oil tasting session, we need two days’ notice, and a minimum of 2 people is required. The tastings are offered in the Vecchio Mulino this historic “ Osteria di Garfagnana ” was built into the lower walls of the town and has been in this location for several centuries. This Osteria is a destination for Italian wine lovers. It sells local and Super Tuscan wines alongside local products,  For the wine tasting session you can choose local wines, Tuscan wines, wines from Northern Italy or Southern Italian wines. It is Closed on Mondays

COOKING LESSONS

Held in the comfort of the very well-equipped kitchen at La Collina del Sole you can learn to cook just like an Italian "Mama" does. Our fabulous chefs which have been described by our guests as “gems”, “so nice and helpful” and “wonderful”, find out for yourself and surprise your friends at home. A starter lesson would typically include learning how to make 2 different types of pasta like ravioli and tagliatelle from scratch and a delicious ragù sauce. At the end of your session you will get to eat the delicious meal you created.

LEARN HOW TO MAKE A PIZZA FROM SCRATCH

We can organise a Pizza making experience, held at La Collina del Sole using the new “state of the art “Pizza Oven, this experience will take at least 3 hours to fully appreciate., you start by making the "pomarola" sauce, and preparing the dough, you roll it and cook your very own creation ! A large variety of toppings will be brought for you to use and you will not only get to have a Pizza feast plus pudding but also to learn how to make Focaccia if you like. If you do not speak Italian we recommend a translator. Every guest who has learnt how to make pizza has thoroughly enjoyed it. For a detailed list of choices available please follow this link.

In house dining

Although our area is saturated with amazing restaurants there is nothing quite like having a banquet without having to move a finger. Maria our chef will cook all the food using local ingredients with free range poultry & eggs from her farmyard, and home grown vegetables & fruit. The most luxurious option is “the Feast”, It is prepared and served for you and includes a full selection of Tuscan antipasti, followed by your selection of two pasta options from a tried and tested selection of eleven choices, followed by a fabulous main course with side dishes and topped off with a sumptuous pudding, all served with our own delicious La Collina del Sole organic wine. For a full list of options including food that is delivered to the kitchen at La Collina del Sole follow the suggested Menus link.

Walking and exploring

Walking Itineraries

We have access to a fully accredited guide who can take you on walking tours in our immediate vicinity as well as further afield in our marvellously rugged mountain ranges and valleys. La Collina del Sole is surrounded by extremely beautiful walks. Each walk has varying levels of difficulty, we have rugged mountains, the Orechiella National Park, The Tuscan Emilian Apenine National Park, the regional park of the Apuan Alps and a variety of Carrara marble quarries both disused and in use, with many picturesque walks which have “Refugios” to eat at or to stay in. you will always find small reminders of Italian culture whether in derelict villages, shrines off the beaten track or remote churches. In addition to offering tailor made itineraries, we have compiled a short list of five routes, within our recreation suggestions. For detailed suggested Itineraries from La Collina del Sole follow this link

Learning the Culture

Discover the rugged beauty of La Bella Italia

There is so much more to Tuscany than Florence and Pisa, let our fabulous guide introduce you to the wonders of Garfagnana, Lucca, and Versilia. Italy has so much to offer, you can enjoy a super cultural visit and enjoy a lazy afternoon drinking in “La Dolce Vita” our guide is able to show you the jewels of each region or town. In Garfagnana for example there is Barga a stunning town oozing with history both recent and past, the Grotta del vento a marvellous network of Caves that run deep into the Apuan Alps, San Pellegrino, The national Orecchiella park, the beautifully restored Fortress “Fortezza delle Verrucole”, Campo Catino e San Viano, the hermitage “Eremo di Calomini”, the lake “Lago di Gramolazzo” and the word famous devils bridge.

In Lucca must see sites are the Giunigi tower, the Basilica of San Frediano, the Cathedral of San Martino or Duomo, the Roman Amphitheatre with medieval houses built into it, one of the few oval amphitheatres in the world. The church of San Michele in Foro with is incredible ornate front and almost denuded body and for shopping there is Via Filungo with shops that range from top label fashion shops to shops that specialize in buttons with fabulous foodie shops to excellent gelaterias.

Versilia too has some beautiful hidden jewels in Forte de Marmi ( Fortress of Marble ), Pietrasanta, the natural park of Oasi Lipu Massaciuccoli and the Parco della Versiliana.