Agriturismo 'Costa d'Orsola, Pontremoli, Tuscany, Italia

Agriturismo Costa D'Orsola is a charming countryside retreat nestled in the picturesque town of Pontremoli, located in the heart of the stunning Tuscany region in Italy. Surrounded by rolling hills, verdant vineyards, and enchanting olive groves, this idyllic agriturismo offers a truly authentic Italian experience.

The agriturismo is owned and operated by the warm and welcoming Costa family, who have been dedicated to preserving the beauty and heritage of the region for generations. Their passion for sustainable agriculture and traditional Tuscan living is evident in every aspect of Agriturismo Costa D'Orsola.

Accommodations at Agriturismo Costa D'Orsola are a harmonious blend of rustic charm and modern comfort. The spacious rooms and apartments are tastefully decorated, showcasing the traditional Tuscan style with exposed beams, terracotta floors, and antique furnishings. Each accommodation offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, creating a serene and tranquil ambiance.

Guests are invited to indulge in the farm-to-table experience at Agriturismo Costa D'Orsola. The family cultivates their own organic produce, including vineyards, olive groves, and vegetable gardens. Guests can savor the delicious flavors of authentic Tuscan cuisine at the on-site restaurant, where fresh ingredients are transformed into mouthwatering dishes, paired perfectly with local wines.

Beyond the gastronomic delights, Agriturismo Costa D'Orsola provides a range of activities and amenities for guests to enjoy. Explore the enchanting countryside on guided walks or bike rides, or simply unwind by the sparkling swimming pool, surrounded by the beauty of nature. The agriturismo also offers cooking classes, where guests can learn the secrets of traditional Tuscan recipes.

Pontremoli, a charming medieval town, is within easy reach of Agriturismo Costa D'Orsola. Guests can immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of the area, visiting historic landmarks, exploring ancient churches, and strolling along the cobblestone streets. The agriturismo serves as an ideal base for day trips to renowned Tuscan destinations such as Florence, Pisa, and Siena.

Whether you seek a peaceful countryside retreat, a culinary adventure, or an exploration of Tuscan culture, Agriturismo Costa D'Orsola offers an unforgettable experience that captures the essence of Tuscany's beauty and heritage.

Your flight should arrive into Florence ANYTIME on Friday 26 September and depart from Florence ANYTIME on Sunday 05 October. You will make your own arrangements for transport from the airport to the group hotel in Florence. A taxi will take about 10 minutes and will cost around €10-15. Alternatively, you can take a tram T2 from the airport (FLO) 'PERETOLA' for 4 stops (5-7 mins) to 'NOVOLI', which will leave you right outside the hotel.

HOTEL IN FLORENCE:

Name: Starhotels Tuscany - Novoli

Website: https://www.starhotels.com/en/our-hotels/tuscany-florence/

Address: Via di Novoli, 59
50127 Firenze
Italia

Phone: +39 055 431441

http://www.tuscany.fi@starhotels.it

Our hotel is located in Novoli, a neighborhood located just on the outskirts of Florence. It is home to several important institutions, such as the University of Florence and the Tribunal of Florence.

While Novoli may not be as picturesque as some of the historic neighborhoods in the city center, it is much less touristy and offers a variety of amenities, restaurants, and parks. It is also well-connected to the city centre via public transportation, making it easy to explore Florence and its many attractions. The same tram T2 can be taken every 6 minutes from 'NOVOLI' outside the hotel for 6 stops (10 mins) to the main train station 'ALAMANNI - STAZIONE SANTA MARIA NOVELLA'. 

We  will depart the following morning, after breakfast (included) at 10:00am from the lobby, in 9 seater rental vehicles, on a 2 hour scenic coastal drive, to our 'agriturismo', grabbing some lunch along the way.

We will leave 'Costa d'Orsola', after breakfast, at 10.00am on Saturday 04 September and head back to Florence, where we  will spend another night in our hotel and be ready to depart for home the following  day (Sunday 05 September).

PASSPORTS:
At this point, we would like to remind you to check that your passports are valid for travel and have at least 3 months left on them from time of departure for Europe. 

TRAVEL INSURANCE:

We would also like to remind you to purchase a travel insurance, which will cover you in case of any cancellation, loss or theft of belongings and medical emergency. This can either be done through your credit card company, airline or travel agent. You can also purchase a travel insurance online or here during checkout. Please make sure that your travel insurance policy also covers you specifically for medical treatment and trip cancelation due to Covid-19.

Please note that travel insurance is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED and that, although Chirriposa will be available to assist you, we will not be responsible for any cancellation fees, lost or stolen items or medical expenses incurred during your trip. You will also be required to sign a ‘Liability Waiver’ and accept our 'Cancellation and Refund Policy'  upon registration.   

WEATHER: 

September/October is the end of summer and beginning of fall in Italy and you should be prepared for some hot sunny weather, but also potentially some cold or rainy days. In the mountains the temperatures will be much cooler than down at the beach and in Florence. During these months, the average temperature in Pontremoli starts off at 64°F during the daytime and lows of 57°F after dark.
 

WHAT TO WEAR: 

Pack light summer clothes and also don’t forget your swimsuits for the pool and the beach. Also remember to pack a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. However, you should also be prepared for cooler days and nights. For those of you who want to go hiking, cycling or horseback riding, we suggest you bring suitable footwear. A pair of running shoes would be highly recommended.  

WATER: 

In Florence, we cannot vouch for the quality of the tap water and, therefore, we recommend buying bottled water for drinking. However, at the 'agriturismo', the water comes directly from a natural spring and is excellent drinking quality. It makes sense to bring your own water bottle and fill it for your daily use. 

ELECTRICITY: 

Electricity in Italy, as in the rest of Europe, comes out of the wall socket at 220 volts alternating at a 50 cycles per second. In the US, electricity comes out of the wall socket at 110 volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second. Not only the voltages and frequencies, but also the sockets themselves are different. You can get along with just a plug converter for many of today's small electrical devices designed to run on dual voltages. Devices like this include most laptops and recently produced battery chargers and many small electrical gadgets, especially those designed for world travel.

PHONE & INTERNET: 

There is free Wi-Fi in our hotel in Florence. There is limited cell phone signal at the agriturismo, but we will have free Wi-Fi access in the communal areas. However, please try to disconnect as much as possible. 

YOGA MATS + PROPS: 

Yoga mats and other equipment are available or provided at the Agriturismo. However, you should bring your own travel mat and anything else that you might need for your practice.

BUGS:  The mountains are not typically too bad for mosquitoes. and most bites occur during sunset/sunrise or in shady places in the forest. It is best that you bring a good insect repellent with you. You might also like to wear long pants in the evenings.    

SHEETS AND TOWELS:  All your rooms will have fresh sheets and towels provided. Your rooms will be cleaned daily and new towels and linens provided on request. You should bring a towel for the pool or for the beach. Otherwise a sarong will also work well and be much lighter to pack.

MONEY: The currency in Italy is the Euro (€). €1.00 equals around $1.10  $1.00 equals €0.9 

You can pay us directly for any optional tours, activities, bodywork and beverages together at the end of the week in cash ($ or €). You will be able to take money out of the ATM using your debit and credit cards. We may also receive payment via Paypal, but you will be charged a 5% Paypal fee and 13% VAT.

FOOD: Breakfast, dinner and 6 lunches are included in your retreat price. Lunch, during our full day excursion, will be eaten out and paid for individually, which will allow us to experience local restaurants. For dinner, our chef will serve typical dishes of the area, mostly prepared with products from the farm, like olive oil, salumis, vegetables and fruit... and of course wine! Please inform us of any dietary requirements or restrictions ahead of time and we will try our best to accommodate you. Also if you have any allergies, please let us know in advance. We will also have lunch one afternoon at the local winery and dinner out one night at a local seafood restaurant on the coast, which is included in the price.

ALCOHOL:  We will serve an 'Aperitivo' before and Local organic wine and liquors with dinner. Outside of mealtimes, you will be charged for you drinks when ordered at the bar.

SECURITY: There is not much need for strict security measures at the 'agriturismo', however, there are keys for all the rooms and we can also lock away your passports etc. for you in the main safe in the office. NB. Please be extra careful of your valuables and belongings in Florence, especially on the public transport, as there are a lot of pickpockets around.