Locanda al Colle Camaiore

From the restoration of an ancient farmhouse, a contemporary guest-house was born. Minutes from the sweet sea breeze of the Tuscan coast, Locanda al Colle is set on a hill overlooking Camaiore in the province of Versilia.

Ancient trees and olive groves mark the path to the guesthouse, where aromatic and ornamental plants ease guests into a state of tranquility. The property’s hilltop position offers an enchanting view, gently leading all eyes back down towards the sea.

An extensive panoramic terrace, nestled between olive trees, lavender, flowering rosemary, and sage, is the ideal place to enjoy this splendid view. It captures the mind, spirit, and body in any season.

Elegant wrought iron vintage furnishings are housed beneath the wisteria pergolas, where guests enjoy a homemade breakfast, a good book, or the simple art of conversation. A heated salt-water swimming pool (15m x 4m) is the ideal spot for total relaxation, from the first rays of the spring sunshine all the way through to the last warm, autumnal days.

THE GUESTHOUSE
Crossing the threshold into the Locanda, you are welcomed by a warm intimate setting full of charm and elegance. A country house atmosphere is enhanced by the careful selection of furnishings that skillfully wed past and present.

Locally crafted sculptures and a vast art collection is set in a frame of charm and grace, creating a natural juxtaposition of time, texture, and technique. There is a natural meeting of comfort and style, of land and sea, and of luxury and ease.

The owner’s eclectic nature adds to the spirit of the Locanda. His love for vintage and contemporary furniture makes this a truly unique guesthouse, in which harmony, warmth, and genuine friendliness are composed into the soundtrack of an enjoyable stay.

THE FLAVOURS
For you to fully breathe the scents and admire the colours of the Locanda and its location in Versilia, from the first dawn light to the warm tones of sunset, you are invited to experience evenings with our chef.

Three nights per week, simple, flavorful, and convivial dinners are prepared, in which the chef unveils the treasured secrets of his modern, thoughtful creations, and guests are able to savor the sensations of our distinctive region.

THE AREA
Upon booking, guests receive a complimentary gazebo at the nearby beach club il Cavallone, only a ten-minute drive from the property. Set in the beloved Tuscan seaside province of Versilia, the Locanda’s incomparable location allows for a variety of day trips.

The Tuscan coastline is renowned for fantastic restaurants, great art, and unspoiled beaches. Pietrasanta, Forte dei Marmi, and Viareggio are a few of the most popular towns.

Lord Byron once lived in coastal Lerici, and beautiful, verdant hiking and other nature pursuits can be found farther up the coast around the Cinque Terre. Just beyond Cinque Terre is one of the gold coasts of Italy: Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, and the tiny gem of San Fruttuoso.

If you are seeking mountainous outdoor adventures, your desires are met at your doorstep. The Apuanian Alps surround the Locanda, rising from the Versilian plain to a height of 2000 meters.

The marble quarries of Carrara are not to be overlooked. In fact, we are approaching a momentous anniversary: 2018 marks 500 years from the date of Michelangelo’s signed contracts for the stone of La Piet and other historical sculptures.

Seravezza, above which is the ‘Michelangelo Quarry’ is now a UNESCO World Heritage Sight. Traveling back towards Tuscany, the Locanda is only a half hour from the beautiful walled town of Lucca, Puccini’s birthplace and the town where he write most of his arias.

In July and August, Torre del Lago celebrates Puccini with an open-air opera festival. Pisa is also a half hour from Locanda, and Florence can be reached in one hour. It should be noted that the medieval pilgrim route of Via Francigena literally passes our doorstep.

Connect with history on this ancient path that leads from France to Rome. Alas, there is more to our area than the towns most written about in guidebooks, and we would be delighted to share with you our favorite smaller towns according to your tastes and preferences.

TRAMONTO SUITE
Light, sun and nature, in this room of varied soft green tones, with huge windows looking out over the garden. In between olive trees and agave an ample terrace elegantly furnished.

The pleasure of intimate relaxation. Big and small bubbles follow each other along the walls of the spacious bathroom with a large rain shower and a designer cast iron enamel bathtub.

COLLE SUITE
The scent of currants and juniper drift inside from the private terrace of this sumptuous suite. Unwind with a book beneath the shade of a pergola, and if it gets chilly, move into the sitting room, where the warmth of the fireplace and the comfortable, vintage furnishings are an invitation to relaxation.

The bedroom is dressed in soothing shades of grey and beige, and the four-poster canopy bed and armchairs are dressed in airy fabrics. Two separate bathrooms allow for the ultimate in privacy; one has a bath and one has a shower. It is possible to place a third bed in this suite.

ALBA JUNIOR SUITE
Alba’s sophisticated elegance is inspired by the warm tones of a turtle dove. The shades of gold are brought out by the contrasting white linen that envelopes the four poster bed, lending fresh romanticism to this junior suite.

The spacious bathroom is characterized by a stone wall that, as if part of a stage set, acts as a backdrop for a two-person, free-standing bath tub. For a burst of energy, stand beneath the Hans-Grohe rain-shower. A private terrace looks out over the garden, inviting you to enjoy the tranquility of the property in the seclusion of your room.

FOOD
The good morning at the Locanda smells of good things and begins with a rich breakfast, both sweet and savory, rigorously served at the table, in compliance with the current Hôtellerie guidelines and with the pleasure of making your awakening special.

For lunch you can request a light meal and in the evening a two-course dinner and dessert, created for you by our chef Gian Luca, available every day on request and exclusively for resident guests (bar Sundays when cheese and charcuterie are available).

ART
Locanda al Colle is a magical place where the air is as imbued with art as it is with the scent of the gardens. The Locanda is able to surprise and move you in every corner of each room with interesting works of art in a variety of expressive forms.

The owner’s private collection has grown over the years, and guests are able to share in the pleasure of the artwork. Sculptures, created by contemporary artists who find that the property is the ideal setting for their works, are scattered around the guesthouse.

Since the 1800s, the nearby town of Pietrasanta has been a meeting point for sculpture artists. The tradition of working in bronze and marble continues, and artists in nearby workshops choose the Locanda as an exhibition space due to its harmony and elegance.

Guests can admire and even purchase the works exhibited. Various series of exhibits are showcased throughout the year, rendering the Locanda al Colle a truly unique experience.

POOL
Open air, salt-water pool heated to 30 degrees Celcius. (Open from April 1 to end of October).

WHIRLPOOL
Amongst olive trees and blossom, let yourselves go and enjoy the sensation of bubbles in the Locanda’s huge whirlpool.

PRIVATE BEACH CLUB
Private Beach Club access with private gazebo and towels from May to September at Bagno Cavallone.

ECO
During the renovation we let ourselves be guided by the green soul of the Locanda, aware that every step, however small, can be decisive. Energy saving, as well as a duty for the planet, is a lifestyle for us, an aim to be pursued every day.

The same ecological spirit has led us to eliminate plastic bottles of mineral water, choosing a filtration process by osmosis able to guarantee water without residues and at the right salinity. We strive for our hospitality to be sustainable. The planet asks for it, we want it.

ELECTRIC CAR CHARGER
We provide one 16 Amp 3,7 kw output with own cable for free.

TRANSFER FROM/TO AIRPORT
There are a number of nearby airports. Florence and Pisa are the closest, and Milan is about 2 hours and a half away. We offer private airport transfer to bring you directly to the Locanda, avoiding the stress of driving or traffic.

DOG SITTING
A dog trainer will care for your dog, play games, and take him or her on walks in the open air. They will pick up your pooch at the Locanda and return him or her to you when you are ready. While they are resting, the dogs are kept free within a fully fenced-in property.

MASSAGES
The beauty of the surroundings, the peace, elegance, and warm hospitality easily arouse the desire to be cosseted. What could be more wonderful than a massage beneath the tree-tops? With the experienced hands of expert masseurs, all tension is removed and well-being and harmony is rediscovered.

VISIT THE MARBLE QUARRIES
Discover the stark, candid beauty of Carrara marble with an expert who has worked with the coveted material for years. A Swiss sculptress who lives and works near Pietrasanta will take you to discover the most stunning marble quarries in the area.

During a visit to a sculptors workshop, you will have a true “hands-on experience” with the stone that was so beloved by Michelangelo. You will even have the opportunity to work with it yourself. The tour of the quarries can be in English, French, German or Italian.

WINE TASTING
It is our pleasure to take you on a tour to discovery small medieval villages and fantastic vineyards. In the company of an expert guide, you will discover the reds with character and great personality, whites that are exquisitely fresh and perfumed, and the intense, fortified wines that are born out of the long rows of vines that line the gently rolling Tuscan hills.

A half day tour will allow you to appreciate the beauty of the landscape and the great wines of Montecarlo, a small medieval village in the province of Lucca situated along the famous wine trail of the hills of Lucca and Montecarlo.

A complete day tour will reveal the splendid villages of Bolgheri and Castagneto Carducci, giving you plenty of time to visit graceful estates where the famous Merlot, Sangiovese, and Cabernet-Sauvignon are born. Both tours include ample time for lunch in a typical local restaurant.

VIAJIYU & VIASINSA SHOES
Enjoy the luxury of designing handmade, made to order flats solo or with friends. VIAJIYU is a luxury shoe boutique located in the heart of Florence. The VIAJIYU team will come to Locanda al Colle for a fun, unique Italian experience.

VIAJIYU flats are handmade in Italy, using the finest materials, Italian shoemakers + tanneries. These artisans have been making luxury shoes for generations.
During a design appointment, the VIAJIYU team will fit you for size + shape.

Choose from 25+ forma including loafers, booties, + sandals. Then, with expert advice, choose from hundreds of colors + materials. Gentlemen can join in the experience, too. The team just launched a luxury men’s brand: VIASINSA.
Shipping is free worldwide!

BIKE AND VESPA HIRE
Personally select a bike or vespa, and it will be delivered to your doorstep at the Locanda. Enjoy the beauty of the landscape in the open air.We also have bikes on site for immediate hire.

BICYCLE TOURS
Explore the surrounding hills and mountains under the guidance of a former professional cyclist and Canadian National Champion. Half day or full day guided rides are tailored to your level of experience starting and finishing at Locanda al Colle. Road bike rentals available at Locanda.

BOAT TRIPS
Take advantage of our seaside location on a boat ride; be kissed by the sun and cradled by sea.

• Depart from the port of Marina di Carrara for a romantic sail to the picture-perfect village of Portovenere and the Gulf of the Poets.
• Depart from the port of Viareggio aboard a catamaran and enjoy a wonderful day searching for dolphins along the coast of Versilia.
• Depart from the port of La Spezia on board a private yacht, where you will ride to the splendid Portovenere and the poetic Cinque Terre.

TREKKING IN THE APUAN ALPS
Discover the spectacular Apuan mountains with a professional trekking guide. Leave the sandy beaches of Versilia behind, and within a few minutes you will find yourself in the magnificent Apuan mountain range, spun with a rich web of trekking trails suitable for all levels.

In total safety and accompaniment of a professional guide, you will reach places untouched by mankind and mountain peaks that offer panoramic views stretching out over the coast and beyond, towards the rolling hills of the Garfagnana valley.

SCULPTING YOUR BODY
“Unique and emotional experience, in a beautiful and evocative environment of historical Pietrasanta!”

The artist will welcome you at her studio in the city center, telling you the background of this old marble laboratory, where the most important monument were realized, now workplace of other two established artists.

She will explain you the technique of Human Plaster Casting and after this short lesson you will start to create your self portrait in plaster as a real 3D experience.
This workshop will show you how “touch Art” is one way to understand yourself and others trough the concept that beauty lives in every person.

In this session you can choose to cast either your face, your hand or foot. The experience is about 3 hours and before taking home your masterpiece you can visit also the sculpture garden.

YOGA LESSONS
The peace and harmony found at the Locanda is the optimal environment for practicing yoga. Under the guidance of a highly qualified instructor your body, mind, and spirit will find cosmic equilibrium with the surroundings, giving you a true sense of peace and internal well-being.

DISCOVER THE AREA
Set in the beloved Tuscan seaside province of Versilia, the Locanda’s incomparable location allows for a variety of day trips. The Tuscan coastline is renowned for fantastic restaurants, great art, and unspoiled beaches. Pietrasanta, Forte dei Marmi, and Viareggio are a few of the most popular towns.

Lord Byron once lived in coastal Lerici, and beautiful, verdant hiking and other nature pursuits can be found farther up the coast around the Cinque Terre. Just beyond Cinque Terre is one of the gold coasts of Italy: Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, and the tiny gem of San Fruttuoso.

If you are seeking mountainous outdoor adventures, your desires are met at your doorstep. The Apuanian Alps surround the Locanda, rising from the Versilian plain to a height of 2000 meters. The marble quarries of Carrara are not to be overlooked.

In fact, we are approaching a momentous anniversary: 2018 marks 500 years from the date of Michelangelo’s signed contracts for the stone of La Pieta and other historical sculptures. Seravezza, and the ‘Michelangelo Quarry’, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Sight.

Traveling back towards Tuscany, the Locanda is only a half hour from the beautiful walled town of Lucca, Puccini’s birthplace and the town where he write most of his arias. In July and August, Torre del Lago celebrates Puccini with an open-air opera festival.

Pisa is also a half hour from Locanda, and Florence can be reached in one hour. It should be noted that the medieval pilgrim route of Via Francigena literally passes our doorstep. Connect with history on this ancient path that leads from France to Rome.

Alas, there is more to our area than the towns most written about in guidebooks, and we would be delighted to share with you our favorite smaller towns according to your tastes and preferences.

CARRARA
Nestled in the foothills of the Apuan Alps, Carrara recounts a history composed of marble, art and natural vantage points.

From its beautiful cathedral exposures of the Academy of Fine Arts to the enchanting Alberica and the many marble fountains, Carrara provides a remarkable vista of the striking white peaks of the Apuan Alps, as well as an enduring memory of a beautiful artistic, and culturally significant locale.

CINQUE TERRE
Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare are the five villages that make up the colorful Cinque Terre, all facing the intense azure sea. Walk along biking paths, hop on and off the train, or drive along the cliff side roads and discover small and charming seaside villages.

FIRENZE
Florence is Florence. Florence is art, history, and culture. It is the place where the Renaissance is still palpable. Brunelleschi’s Dome, Palazzo Vecchio, the Ponte Vecchio, and the Uffizi Gallery surprise the traveler time and time again.

All of the big names in fashion are here, as well as endless Tuscan trattorias that send the perfume of soup and grilled meets into the cobble stoned lanes. Florence is a dream within reach.

FORTE DEI MARMI
Forte dei Marmi is Versilia’s seaside resort at its best. Stroll along the promenade with wooden cabins in pastel colors, taste the sea at one of the characteristic restaurants, and enjoy the pleasures of shopping and musical evenings.

LUCCA
Within the ancient Renaissance walls is an elegant town of narrow streets, small squares, beautiful churches, antique shops, and taverns that smell of Tuscan cuisine.

Almost hidden among the narrow streets, Amphitheatre Square opens suddenly to reveal the beautiful elliptical shape and a succession of shops and lovely restaurants.

PIETRASANTA
The marble of the Apuan Alps has been extracted for centuries and is still used in the many workshops found in this artistic town.

Pietrasanta may be described as sober and elegant, never excessive, but yet an appreciator of classical art and music. The town is also known as the stage for numerous summer events and a hotbed of creativity with its small trendy shops.

PISA
On the map you will find Piazza del Duomo, also known as the Square of Miracles. On the green grass of the great Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Leaning Tower of Pisa offer a unique architectural scenario, a rare and beautiful framework that speaks to our region and our history. Here you will find both a symbol of a city and that of a country.

PORTOFINO
The embrace of the sea hugs fishermen’s houses and the hill of Tigullio, creating a small horseshoe shaped gulf that smells of summer.

SAN FRUTTUOSO
Between Portofino and Camogli, a thousand year old monastery is lapped by the sea. Approaching the Abbey of San Fruttuoso by sea is to take a trip back in time and to discover a place that seems untouched by the modern world.

SANTA MARGHERITA LIGURE
With its crystal clear waters and beautiful marina, Santa Margherita has always been an elegant summer holiday destination.

TORRE DEL LAGO PUCCINI
Lazily lying on the shores of Lake Massaciuccoli, Torre del Lago is famous for the Puccini festival that takes place every year in the outdoor amphitheater. Inclusive of opera, dance, musicals, and concerts, summer in Torre del Lago is a succession of music and emotions.

VIAREGGIO
With its long promenade lined with shops, the famous carnival, the elegant and historic bath house, and the many meeting places for young people, Viareggio is the cheerful character of the Versilia, it exudes a desire to make merry in all seasons.

Rooms: 12

Price: from 195 EUR per night

Source: www.locandaalcolle.com