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Nestling in the chestnut forests of the Garfagnana hills, a 14th century monastery surveys an idyllic and verdant landscape. With a horse serenely grazing in the grounds, parts of which are still enclosed by the original walls, it would be easy to forget which century it is.

Now converted into luxurious accommodation, sleeping 12, with six bathrooms and a swimming pool, this very special accommodation lies 5km from Castenuovo Garfagnana, 45km from Lucca and 70km from Pisa. Tradition and a respect for the monastery's fabric were the guiding principles behind the conversion of a section of the L-shaped, two-storey building into five comfortable one-bedroom apartments and one double-room (all located on the first floor).

The original loggia and courtyard can still be seen and traditional Tuscan elements such as hand-painted wardrobes and bedsteads have been introduced into the individually decorated rooms with their sloping wooden beamed or vaulted ceilings and terracotta floors. Ai Frati is truly a lovely spot to forget the pressures of modern living. There are countless peaceful spots within the five hectares of grounds with just the odd playful cat or two to share them with. The delightful swimming pool lies at the foot of the extensive lawns, whilst walkers will appreciate the many woodland trails leading off into the countryside surrounding the monastery.


The north of Tuscany is bordered by the magnificently dramatic mountains of the Apuan Alps and the Apennines. The Garfagnana region north of Lucca, with its craggy peaks, valleys and forested hillsides, possesses the richest flora and fauna in Italy. In springtime the meadows are a brilliant carpet of wildflowers. Red deer roam among the woods as, in the remotest regions, do wolves. The bird life is prolific, including golden eagles, and much of this area is now a nature reserve. A few miles from here, you can follow in the footsteps of Shelley and Byron: the spas at Bagni di Lucca and the spectacularly atmospheric Grotta del Vento are within easy driving distance as is Romanesque and medieval Lucca. The Garfagnana itself is touring country par excellence, with the winding hill and mountain roads throwing up dramatic vistas at almost every twisting turn.

This accommodation is around 90 minutes drive from Pisa airport, two and a half hours from Florence and Bologna. Each of the five apartments has a kitchen-living room , double bedroom with en-suite shower room, bed linen, table linen, three towels per person. Cleaning and linen change are weekly; on request you can have a cot and high-chair. All the apartments have a communal washing machine, iron and ironing board. The swimming pool is 16 x 6 metres and 1.4 metres deep. There is a communal garden and barbecue, with car parking inside the gate. You have a shop and restaurant within a ten-minute drive. Apartment N° 4 has a sofa bed in the living room.

Via Curtatone e Montanara 14, 50053 Empoli, Florence, Italy