We only planned our trip to allow a one night stay in Modena, but, after staying here and seeing…read morethe town, we wished we had stayed much longer. The room was large and included a kitchenette. They brought a lovely breakfast tray to our room, but we never figured out how to work the coffee maker. There were two huge windows and the room's temperature was very comfortable. The city itself is lovely and virtually tourist free compared to Rome and Florence. The food is fantastic, and there aren't the typical tourist traps. I'd highly recommend coming, even if you aren't able to get into Osteria Francescana. The only downside was that the staff doesn't speak much English and we didn't speak much Italian. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

His is by far our favorite stay in Italy!…read more The apartment is clean, and looked like a museum! Such wonderful furnishing, got everything you need! Local ion is great, in the center of this wonderful city, and close to Osteria Francescana, if that's where you are heading (which we recommend)! Breakfast is served in your room, and it is fresh and tasty, great pastries and savory stuff. This was a highlight for sure! What was not so good, is a minor detail that should be added in the information about the b&b. Check-in time is very strict, since they only have a few rooms they are rarely in the office. Hence, when we arrived at 12 no one was there to open the door, we called them but their English wasn't that good, and our Italian is nonexistent, so we walked around with our luggage in 30 degrees heat. We are used to be able to leave luggage when the room is not ready, but that'd ones not work here. So take the check in time literally and you will be fine! Staff is very helpful, after we tried to reach them, an English speaking person called us and let us in. So it all worked out fine. This would never make me not stay here again, we truly loved it's! But we think people should know this, so it does not happen to any one else.

An incredible B&B in a wonderful village…read more The location is perfect and the owners Susi and Ron are gracious and kind. You will enjoy the time and dedication put into making this a comfortable home for your holiday.

Rita Lucherini's hands on cooking class was a delight. With one day's notice, she picked us up at…read moreour hotel in Barga. In her large kitchen we made bruschetta, farro soup, 4 kinds of pasta from scratch (tagliatelle, maccheroni, ravioli, and spaghetti), 4 sauces (pomodoro, ragu, Salciccia , and butter with fresh sage), and tiramisu. Lots of chopping and simmering and getting our hands "dirty"! While cooking we had white wine, then red with dinner. She's a great teacher. Nothing fancy, just how to make good food in a simple way. Price was 85 euro each....we thought that was quite reasonable for 5 hours of cooking and eating, with recipes to take home! She's Italian, born in Scotland, so excellent English. Rita also has a few apartments and a B&B called La Mezzaluna, so she offers 4 and 7 day cooking experiences with some side trips to nearby places in Tuscany. Much less expensive than the upscale, pricey things I've seen advertised. I think her website is www.residencelamezzaluna.it She's also on Facebook.

From the owner: Have fun and join our cookery and wine tasting holiday in this beautiful part of Northern Tuscany…read more Combine cooking and wine tasting and learn all the basic Italian cooking techniques and traditions la bella "Garfagnana and Serchio Valley has to offer. We will visit our local market, wander the streets of Barga, known as one of the prettiest villages in Italy and we shall visit Lucca and Pisa .The most part of the time there are concerts, folk festivals, outdoor food festivals (where you can savour typical products), theatre, Barga Jazz and the Opera Barga. Available is my 4 night and 7 night holiday which includes accomodation all meals airport and local transfers,cooking and wine tasting sessions plus live entertainment with Alex. You may want to join my daily lesson which lasts 4 hours and we will then savour together our meal prepared with a glass of finest Tuscan wine. Come to La Mezzaluna and Cook and Dine with Rita Tuscan Style..

Now the offer expanded with a great and luxurious apartment where you can stay with large family or…read morea large group of friends. If you are around in Summer relax by the great swimming pool hidden in the back of the beautiful garden. Breakfast respects and enhance the already gorgeous food experience you can get exclusively in Reggio Emilia where food is not only to feed yourself but is a true pleasure and yes, a local religion. Proof is the exceptional balsamic vinegar produced in the same gorgeous villa.