We have just returned yesterday from a wonderfully relaxing 10 day stay in Il Borghetto, and cannot praise it enough.
The ride up the track made us realise just how hidden it was, but was well worth it.
We arrived in a thunder storm, but Jim was ready with umbrellas and a wonderful welcome for us. The storm passed quickly and warm weather resumed for the rest of our stay.
The cosy, clean apartment had everything we needed for a comfortable stay, and was just what 2 work weary couples needed to re-charge our batteries!
The house has been beautifully renovated, and is a credit to Jim, who obviously put his heart into turning a very run down, but lovely old house back into somewhere that is very much loved and tasteful.
The pool was a very welcome addition with great views up towards the tiny village, which is an easy 20 minute walk up from the house. It was lovely to wander round on the Sunday as there were some craft stalls heading up towards the church, and we had a good meal in the very pretty garden at the back of the cafe/bar ( drinks only at the front in the covered area)
It's a great base to explore from, Lucca is a great to spend a day, as is the old town in Pistoia, Montecarlo is tiny quaint village worth visiting for a good meal and beautiful views, and if you want to see the hillside villages of the Cinque Terre, for a better experience than the train we suggest you go by boat from Port Venere.
Jim is a lovely man and the 'font of all knowledge' regarding places to go and couldn't have been more helpful, with information for us when we said where we were thinking of going and also with booking a table at a family run restaurant nearby, so a big "thank you" for making our stay even better.
If its a tranquil hideaway you're after, then this is it!
Thank you Jim,
from your very chilled out guests
Sue, Kev, Julie and Bernard