Ponte del Vegnuti

Local people say that about ten years ago in these parts a tall, powerfully built man with dark eyes used to wander about and was always followed by a wild looking cat…

The ruined hamlet dating back to 1200, the grass and the plants that wrapped themselves around the ruins, the dense surrounding wood, the sound of the stream just a few metres away all added up to give a sense of magic, almost as if suddenly one went back in time to glean the impalpable perception of the presence of the ancient wayfarers who, passing through here along the via Francigena, were heading for Santiago de Compostela…

The tall and powerfully built man, who moved among the ruins as if he were an ancient knight placed in a timeless space, immediately fell in love with this magic place.

Ten years have passed since then and he is still here, with a cat that follows him… always the same one! You can see them wandering around the cobblestone streets, passing by the swimming pool and stopping to admire the hamlet, now totally restructured, but with the features of a time, which give you the sensation of having gone back some centuries in time. So you move closer and spontaneously you have the urge to stroke that cat and realise that a smile has appeared on the face of that dark-eyed man …

As so, as if by magic, when we found ourselves in this wonderful place by chance, we too fell in love. Straight away.

Immerged in nature, just a short way from the history, the flavours and the energy that this place releases, we let ourselves be absorbed by its magic, crossing that bridge that opens up to the wonders of the Lunigiana and beyond which you immediately feel at home.

Ten years ago Ponte del Vegnuti was merely a carcass immerged in a piece of heaven… Today Ponte del Vegnuti has been reborn and is ready to welcome you to its comfortable and elegant structures.

With due respect for this charming site and the original layout, excellent architects and local craftsmen brought Ponte del Vegnuti to life again, preserving the peculiarities specific to a historical building. The very ancient walls 60 cm thick have been preserved, thereby allowing heat to be kept inside during the winter months and cool to be kept in during the summer.
As cosy as only your own house tends to be, so engaging as to leave no space for boredom and sadness, relaxing for anyone trying to detach from the daily frenzy, Ponte del Vegnuti is ready to nurture you amid the greenery: you are awaited by enchanting night time strolls lit by the fireflies of the fields, as a preview to an extraordinary starry sky and even the melodious rushing of the Bardine torrent, capable of soothing away any daily tension with the sound of its music...

Ponte del Vegnuti will abscond you gently with its pleasures: in the immediate vicinity you will be able to taste local niche products of high quality, such as the bread of the Lunigiana golden in the wood burning oven and embellished with a few drops of extra virgin Frantoio, Leccina or Moraiolo olive oil, Colonnata lard (bacon fat), the Bigliolo bean, caciotta and other typical cheeses, cep mushrooms and then lasagne bastarde, testaroli and panigacci (local pasta specialities). All of these linked with the pleasure of the tasty and excellent wines of the historical Lunigiana.

Ponte del Vegnuti will offer all round relaxation to be lived submerged in the enchanting atmosphere of a place that, recalling the mysterious Middle Ages, intertwines it with the adventurous journey to Santiago de Compostela, in a dimension out of any time...

And again. Thanks to dynamic and very nearby centres like Pisa, Lucca, the Gulf of Poets, Lerici, as well as Porto Venere, the Cinque Terre and the Riviera of Versilia, culture and entertainment are guaranteed. And for the body and mind? Movement and sport are not lacking: trekking, swimming, mountain biking, horse riding, tennis, climbing and much more will help you to find yourself.

So, what are you waiting for? Cross that bridge beyond which you will be welcome… beyond which you will immediately feel at home.

We’re expecting you!

Location: Fivizzano,    Province: Massa Carrara

One Hundred Castles amid the Hamlets
There must be a reason why the people from all over the world who have come to the Lunigiana, sooner or later in their lives come back! It’s as if this land had something magic and intoxicating inside it, something so strong and engaging as to inevitably attract the traveller who crosses it.

            
Limpid, cool and fresh water
The fact that Francesco Petrarca was not referring to the waters of the Lunigiana, while he composed one of his most famous songs, is known by everyone. Perhaps it was just fortuitous, because it is also true that the source of the Valchiusa, which the poet refers to, presents features shared by the many flourishing sources that can be found in the Lunigiana.

             
Some stone or mysterious statues
Allure and mystery blend continuously in the Lunigiana, where the atmosphere is permeated by an aura of recollections of a world full of secrets and interrogatives.

             
The Via Francigena… and other roads
Lunigiana! There are many names that can be used to define this area: land of nature, water, flavours, art… but above all… land of roads!
 

How to reach the bed and breakfast
Ponte del Vegnuti is located in the hamlet of Ceserano, in the municipality of Fivizzano, in the province of Massa Carrara, in the historical region of the Lunigiana sited between Liguria, Emilia Romagna and Tuscany.
From here you can reach in about thirty minutes both the famous beaches of Versilia and the romantic village of Portovenere and the enchanting Cinque Terre; the art towns of Pisa and Lucca are just an hour away and the stupendous Florence at two hours of convenient motorway.
Il Ponte su Google Maps           
Il Ponte on Google Maps           

To reach Ponte del Vegnuti by car, we advise you to take the E33 (A15) Parma-La Spezia motorway (Autocamionale della Cisa) until the Aulla exit. From the toll gate of Aulla follow the signs for Fivizzano along the SS (State Road) 63. Immediately after passing the village of Pallerone, follow the signs for Ceserano. Having crossed the village of Ceserano, after about one kilometre, on the right, just a few metres before the bridge over the River Bardine, you will see the Ponte del Vegnuti, marked by a mill stone.
Even travelling by plane you can easily arrive at Ponte del Vegnuti flying into the Galileo Ferraris airport in Pisa, which is about 50 mins away by car following the direction La Spezia and exiting at the toll gate of Aulla, or to the Cristoforo Colombo airport in Genoa, which is an hour and a half away, exiting as always at the toll gate of Aulla and also to Parma airport which is about an hour away always using the Aulla exit.

Included in the price: The price of the apartment includes the use of hot and cold water, electricity, gas, weekly change of linen, cleaning of the apartment at the end of the stay as well as use of the swimming pool, bicycles and the other structures of the village.

On request: 

• Tavern
• Sauna
• Massage
• Solarium
• Fitness
• Swimming Pool
• Tennis Court
• Nature Walks
• Mountain bike
• Playground

To be paid on the spot: The prices do not include heating, to be calculated in the measure of 10/20 euros per day (depending on the size of the apartment), sauna, massages etc., which shall be paid for before departure.

How to book: 1. Bookings
Bookings can be made on line or by fax.
At the time of booking the amount of 30% of the total sum shall be left as confirmatory deposit.

2. Method of payment
Payment shall be made in the following way:

-For periods of one week or more:
30% of the total amount at the time of the booking
50% of the total amount 30 days before the date of arrival
20% the remaining 20% to be paid on arrival at Ponte del Vegnuti

80% of the total amount for bookings less than 4 weeks before the arrival date

Payment by means of:
-    cheque
-    bank transfer
-    cash

3. Arrival and departure

Arrivals are envisaged between 5 and 8 pm, departures between 8 and 10 am.

4. Precautionary deposit and early departure

The client in whose name the booking is made shall leave a precautionary deposit of 150 euros at the time of his/her arrival, as a guarantee against any possible damage to the property or equipment. This deposit will be returned in its entirety at the moment of departure, unless there are any damages to equipment found by the management and consequently deducted from the deposit itself.
Clients who for any reason whatsoever are obliged to leave before the term of the period of rent do not any right whatsoever to reimbursement of the remaining rent.

5. Cancellation

If, for any reason,  a client is forced to cancel his/her booking, he or she will have the right to reimbursement of the amount paid net of a penalty that varies as a function of the following circumstances:

40% of the total price of the stay from 4 to 3 weeks  before the arrival date
50% of the total price of the stay from 3 to 2 weeks  before the arrival date
60% of the total price of the stay from 2 to 1 weeks  before the arrival date
80% of the total price of the stay less than 1 week before the arrival date

In case of annulment 30% of the confirmatory deposit shall be retained valid for the next stay at Ponte del Vignuti, to be carried out within the calendar year.

General		Outside		Kitchen		Miscellaneous
	accessible for persons with disabilities		swimming pool		cookery		credit card
	heating		solarium		fridge		Internet
	telephone		barbecue		kitchen linen
	tv		garden		breakfast
	bed linen		parking		half board
	bath linen				full board

Frantoio: Ground floor: sitting/dining room, sofa bed, kitchen adjoining sitting room, completely furnished (dishwasher, coffee maker etc.),, double bedroom, bathroom with shower, store cupboard. Large private patio, equipped with elegant dining table, large sun umbrella. Independent entrance. Delightful view of wood/river.

Stazione di Posta: Ground floor: sitting/dining room with sofa bed, communicating with fully furnished kitchen (dishwasher, coffee maker, etc.), double bedroom, bathroom with shower, storage cupboard. Private patio, equipped with an elegant dining table and a large sun umbrella. Independent entrance. Charming view of the wood/river.

Castello: First floor: large sitting/dining room with an emperor size sofa bed and fireplace, spacious fully furnished, kitchen with dining table, (washing machine, dishwasher, microwave oven, coffee maker, electric egg cooker etc.), 1 double bedroom with en suite bathroom with bath and 1 double bedroom with en suite bathroom with shower, storage cupboard and balcony. Independent entrance. Charming view of the wood/river.

Vescovo di Luni: Ground floor: sitting/dining room with sofa bed and adjoining, fully furnished kitchen (dishwasher, coffee maker, etc.), double bedroom, bathroom with shower, spacious, adjacent storage cupboard. Independent entrance.

Marchesi Malaspina: First floor: sitting/dining room with sofa bed and fireplace, spacious, fully furnished kitchen with dining table (washing machine, dishwasher, oven, microwave oven, coffee maker, electric egg cooker etc.), double bedroom, bathroom with shower. Second floor: two double bedrooms, bathroom with bath, 2 storage cupboards. Large private solarium, equipped with sun umbrella and sun beds.

Mulino: Ground floor: sitting/dining room with an emperor size bed sofa and adjoining fully furnished kitchen (dishwasher, coffee maker, etc.). Spiral staircase. First floor: double bedroom, bathroom with shower. Independent entrance.

Pellegrini: Ground floor: large sitting room with double sofa bed, spacious, fully furnished kitchen with dining table (dishwasher, oven, microwave oven, coffee maker, etc.), 2 double bedrooms, bathroom with shower. Charming view of the wood/river.

Cavalieri: Ground floor: large sitting room with double sofa bed, spacious, fully furnished kitchen with dining table (dishwasher, oven, microwave oven, coffee maker, etc.), double bedroom, bathroom with shower. Charming view of the wood/river.

Templari: First floor: large sitting room with fireplace and double sofa bed, spacious, fully furnished kitchen with dining table (dishwasher, oven, microwave oven, coffee maker, etc.), 1 double bedroom, bathroom with shower, storage cupboard. Spiral staircase. Storage cupboard. Second floor: 2 spacious, mansarded double bedrooms, bath without shower, storage cupboard. Charming view of the wood/river.

Via Francigena: First floor: large sitting room with fireplace and double sofa bed, fully furnished kitchen with dining table (dishwasher, oven, microwave oven, coffee maker, etc.), 2 double bedrooms, bathroom with shower, 3 storage cupboards. Charming view of the wood/river.

Bardine: Ground floor: large sitting room with fireplace and double sofa bed, spacious, fully furnished kitchen with dining table (dishwasher, oven, microwave oven, coffee maker, etc.), 1 double bedroom with en suite bathroom with shower, 1 double bedroom with en suite bathroom with bath, storage cupboard. Independent entrance. View of swimming pool/garden.

Aulella: Independent entrance with splendid portal and original paving from the 17th century with space under the stairs. Stairs leading to the first floor. First floor: large sitting room with fireplace and double sofa bed, spacious, fully furnished kitchen with dining table (washing machine, dishwasher, oven, microwave oven, coffee maker, etc.), 1 double bedroom with en suite bathroom with shower, 1 double bedroom with en suite bathroom with bath, storage cupboard. View of swimming pool/lawn.

Fate e Folletti: Apartment/suite created in the old village church. Ground floor: sitting/dining room with sofa bed, small separate kitchen completely furnished (dishwasher, oven, microwave, coffee maker), service bathroom. 1 storage cupboard. Spiral staircase. First floor: 1 double bedroom with four-poster bed, 1 double bedroom with four poster bed (three-quarter size), 1 mansarded double bedroom, bathroom with shower. Private equipped patio. Charming view of wood/river/swimming pool.

Rates.

Accommodation	Low Season		Medium Season		High Season
	per week	per day	per week	per day	per week	per day
Frantoio	600 euro	---	800 euro	---	980 euro	---
Stazione di Posta	600 euro	---	800 euro	---	980 euro	---
Castello	950 euro	---	1300 euro	---	1500 euro	---
Vescovo di Luni	600 euro	---	800 euro	---	980 euro	---
Marchesi Malaspina	1000 euro	---	1400 euro	---	1800 euro	---
Mulino	600 euro	---	800 euro	---	980 euro	---
Pellegrini	850 euro	---	1200 euro	---	1350 euro	---
Cavalieri	600 euro	---	800 euro	---	980 euro	---
Templari	1000 euro	---	1400 euro	---	1800 euro	---
Via Francigena	850 euro	---	1200 euro	---	1350 euro	---
Bardine	950 euro	---	1300 euro	---	1500 euro	---
Aulella	950 euro	---	1300 euro	---	1500 euro	---
Fate e Folletti	1000 euro	---	1400 euro	---	1800 euro	---

Seasons.

Low Season	01/10/2010-17/12/2010 10/01/2011-16/04/2011 27/04/2011-27/05/2011
Medium Season	18/12/2010-09/01/2011 17/04/2011-26/04/2011 28/05/2011-30/06/2011 05/09/2011-30/09/2011
High Season	01/07/2011-04/09/2011

The prices are per week (7 nights from Saturday to Saturday), and are valid from 1st October 2009 to 30 September 2010.

For each stay, except for weekends, no. 1 free massage will be offered.

Children under 2 years of age: free

For the extra bed,  that is the sofa-bed for 1-2 persons, or anyway for the use of the extra bed the weekend tariff will be applied.

Outside

Inside