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Romantic Tuscan Riverside Cottage Close to Shops/Restaurants

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Bedroom
The Garden
The House From the River
View From Window
Exterior

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom2 bathroomsSleeps 2

Popular amenities

  • Gym
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Mountain view

Explore the area

Map
Fivizzano, Tuscany
  • Fivizzano War Memorial
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Lake Fario
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Caves of Equi Terme
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • La Spezia (QLP-Sarzana-Luni)
    ‪59 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Romantic Tuscan Riverside Cottage Close to Shops/Restaurants

Il Mulinello is a lovely, romantic hideaway for two in an idyllic setting, perched over a river that lulls you to sleep at night and soothes you during the day. The house is reserved for adult, non-smoking guests. There is an enchanting garden with a paved courtyard and hidden patios among bamboo, palm trees, and hydrangeas that afford privacy and a tropical atmosphere. There are wide steps leading directly into the crystal clear waters of the river, ideal for a cooling dip on hot sunny days. From the house and garden, there are breath-taking views of the lush, verdant mountains of the Parco delle Apuane national park. Il Mulinello is one kilometer from both Equi Terme and Monzone, each of which offer a variety of shops and restaurants.

Keywords: House

Languages

English, Italian

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Gym
Outdoor space
Mountain view
Parking available

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Interior

The House in the Valley

  • Kitchen
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air conditioning
  • Parking available
The House in the Valley

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

We should mention

All guests, including children, must be present at check-in and show their government-issued photo ID card or passport
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed USD 5000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Fivizzano

Fivizzano is home to this holiday home. Museo della Stampa and Museum of Upper Garfagnana are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Happy Land bowling and La Marmifera. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's going on at A.S.D. Balance, or consider a night out at Villa Pescigola. Discover the area's water adventures with nearby fishing, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails.
Map
Fivizzano, Tuscany

What's nearby

  • Fivizzano War Memorial - 6 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Villa Pescigola - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Lake Fario - 10 min drive - 7.9 km
  • Castello dell'Aquila - 18 min drive - 12.0 km
  • Caves of Equi Terme - 20 min drive - 16.7 km

Getting around

  • Fivizzano Rometta Soliera Station - 12 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Caffè Elvetico - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Bar Funicolare - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Bar Platani - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Ristorante Galletti - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Ristorante Il Muretto - ‬20 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Romantic Tuscan Riverside Cottage Close to Shops/Restaurants pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Romantic Tuscan Riverside Cottage Close to Shops/Restaurants?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Romantic Tuscan Riverside Cottage Close to Shops/Restaurants?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Romantic Tuscan Riverside Cottage Close to Shops/Restaurants located?

Situated in Fivizzano, this holiday home is within a 10-minute walk of Museo della Stampa and Fivizzano War Memorial. Villa Pescigola is 0.8 mi (1.3 km) away.

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 20 out of 24 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 24 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 24 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 24 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 24 reviews

Reviews

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

John P., Newmarket

hidden gem, stunning location

location, location, location.....plus everything you need for a totally relaxing break in Tuscany/Liguria. The drive to La Spezia/autostrada becomes a little tiring after the first few day trips to Cinque Terre / Portofino etc. but returning to the peace and tranquility of the river makes it all worth while. Fivizzano village is also worth a visit but not mentioned in any of the guide books, a short car journey and close to home.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

A Piece of Paradise

My wife and I spent 4 nights in this lovely villa. As you can see from other comments this place is off the beaten path and takes you back in time in a very good way. You feel the real Italia. Specifically Tuscany. We loved the river. It was so soothing to sleep to or swim in (which I did every day). There are a few great restaurants around in different villages that you MUST try. The bakery is around corner within few minutes of walking distance (heading towards Equi Terme). We had fresh bread every morning . Down a few kilometers in the town of Gragnola there is a great grocery store with awesome fresh fruit, a butcher, and deli with tons of cheese to choose from. We picked up few items and cooked twice in the villa. We can't say enough about the place, the area and the whole experience. Thanks to Art, the directions to the villa was perfect, no GPS for us. I must admit that it would have been very challenging if we did not have our own car. We are looking forward to coming back and this time spending a little more time there. In the villa there are two very helpful books. One from the owners with their suggestions as well as letters from previous guest. I highly recommend reading them upon your arrival, they will help a lot with getting to know the area.

10/10 Excellent

CARLOS R., San Diego, California

Nice and comfortable cottage

Somewhat difficult to find the house, but it is worth the drive. Make sure you follow the directions exactly as provided and get familiar with the surroundings before venturing out. Otherwise, enjoy you stay. We look forward to returning. Carlos & Veronica Romero
Stayed 4 nights in May 2019

8/10 Good

Brian H.

A fantastic stay

We had a great time at Il Mulinello. It is very peaceful and yet there is lots to do in the area, especially if you enjoy hiking without throngs of people. The only reason I did not give 5 stars is the bed is quite uncomfortable and the place could use a really good cleaning to get rid of the cob webs and ants.
Stayed 11 nights in Apr 2019

6/10 Okay

Dik H.

Mooie ruime woning maar heel erg afgelegen en erg vochtig.

Mooie ruime woning maar heel erg afgelegen en erg vochtig.
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2018

8/10 Good

Markus H.

Idyllisches Häuschen am eigenen Bach

Sehr gut gelegen, leider war das Inventar nicht mehr zeitgemäß. Die Matratzen des Bettes bildeten in der Mitte immer eine Kuhle. Das Sofa ist altbacken und in der Küche war wenig Arbeitsfläche. Die Aussenmöbel ließen zu wünschen übrig. Die Lage ist einzigartig, die Einkaufsmöglichkeiten sind super und die Menschen einfach super nett, wir haben uns sehr wohl gefühlt Leider bekamen wir nicht die genaue Adresse sondern nur das Areal und mussten lange suchen. Wichtig ist, nach Roberto in Aiola zu fragen, der dieses Haus verwaltet.
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Wieland K.

Verstecktes Idyll

Hätten wir uns an die präzise Anfahrtsbeschreibung des Hauseigentümers gehalten, wären wir zwei Stunden eher angekommen, so jedoch haben wir zunächst die malerische Umgebung erkundet und sind mit den Nachbarn ins Gespräch gekommen. Das Haus ist wunderschön und der italienische Freund der Besitzer in höchstem Maß um das Wohl der Gäste besorgt.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Katrin und Ralf F., Deutschland

Kleines Paradies 😍

Tolles Haus mitten in einer wunderschönen Natur. Genau das richtige, um auszuspannen. Fußläufig ( ca. 1km) kann man sich jeden Morgen mit frischen Brötchen und Brot eindecken. Lebensmittel gibt es in den umliegenden Dörfen....alle sind sehr nett und hilfsbereit. Wir haben wunderbare 2 Wochen hier verbracht. Das Haus ist mit allem Ausgestattet was man braucht. Die Besitzer haben viele Tipps zusammengestellt die sehr hilfreich sind und stellen Karten zur Verfügung. Wir kommen gerne wieder!
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Paul V.

We had a delightfull time in the north of Tuscany.

For us, a couple of two, a perfect home to be away from work, cities, internet, etc. Pure nature in the hills and cool down in the forrest. The little villages and shops within 30 min, gave us our peace of mind back. This is vacation! We even think to come back...
Stayed 20 nights in May 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Malgorzata W.

Perfect place for those who love nature

A house big enough for a family surrounded by the green hills of Tuscany. We spend there 4 nights. A beautiful (stone walls) spacious bedroom, a big living room, and perfectly equipped kitchen made the stay comfortable. The heating worked well enough to help us forget about not typical Italian cold weather. Unfortunately we couldn't use the terrace - the rain and cold kept us inside during the meals. The surrounding garden full of flowers and trees, a river, and singing birds let you forget about your everyday life. Some may miss the TV set but for us the only problem was the lack of torch when we arrived at night and could not see the path to the house. The stay in The Mill was a great experience. Thank you, Art!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Romance on the River

We spent 2 weeks at Il Mulinello in October 2013, and can recommend the accommodation to any vacationer. For not much more than the price of a cramped hotel room, you can spread out in a whole house in a living/dining room, a separate bedroom, a fully furnished kitchen & bonus room with washing machine. This allows you to participate in the daily life of the local residents, by shopping for fresh bread at the nearby bakery (walking distance), for produce a the farmers' market, etc. The house is situated on the bank of a lovely river and is very private. The location is convenient for day trips to many popular tourist sites, e.g., Lucca, Pisa, Lerici, Cinque Terre, and many more. After enjoying the benefits of the house, it would be difficult to go back to a hotel.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Tuscan Adventure

My wife & I spent 10 glorious days at Il Mulinello.The villa is in a very private locale,on the Lucido river & abuts to the National Park. The views from the property, alone, are spectacular. Windows are screened & shuttered keeping the cottage incredibly cool & bug free during our stay; when temps were in the 80's each day. A hiker or cyclists dream area.Wonderful food & gracious people in the surrounding villages.This northern paradise seems to escape the hustle & bustle of the more "Touristo" regions to the south,especially during peak European Holiday travel in August. Many mountain towns (medieval,walled,fortified) are accessible by foot,car,or train. Vino Casa was our drink of choice,wherever we dined. Do bring your appetite...the dinners are spectacular..each being a good 90 minute adventure..and you'll never be rushed! We dined out quite often,but prepared many meals at the cottage.The kitchen was fully equipped. We hope to return some day. P.S. Bring your English/Italian dictionarys & leave the Travelers Checks at home!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Marvellous!

My partner and I just returned from Italy, where we spent two glorious weeks. We used the cottage as our base and toured throughout Tuscany. The cottage is located on the edge of a national park, about 1/2 mile from each of two charming mountain villages. We loved it here - some nights we stayed in and cooked, but on most we sampled the local restaurants for dinner. There's a bakery just up the road where you can get fresh bread every morning, and a mountain-top restaurant a ten minute drive away with a view to die for, and glorious food. If you want a romantic getaway, with great local food, hiking and tranquility, this is the place.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Our first time in Italy....

Not only was it thrilling to travel to Europe for the first time, but to 'step back in time' in Tuscany was an incredible experience. As a surprise birthday present for my husband, I started on my search with Tuscany.. a place I had envisioned visiting at some point in my life. I happened upon VRBO and Il Mulinello, literally having no direction whatsoever where this would take me. When I read the description of the villa (Il Mulinello), I stopped my search, knowing that I found the perfect place for me and my husband. I must admit.... I did a very good job! Il Mulinello was clean, charming, and very functional. We found everything we needed in order to cook, shower, or just relax. There were great CD's to listen to, exercise equipment to work out on, incredible views of the mountain, the white capped river that rambled alongside the villa, and the aesthetically appealing landscape surrounding us that included beautiful flowers, tropical plants, etc., all lending to the natural beauty of this amazing villa nestled in the most seductive region of Tuscany. Thank goodness for the navigation system we picked up at Pisa airport when we rented a car for the 9 days we stayed. It was easy to use and helped us in our travels throughout Tuscany and the surrounding areas.... we drove 1200+ miles!! From the villa, it's simple to get to so many interesting places.... Lucca, Parma, Massa, Pisa, Florence as well as our favorite trips to the local villages along the way. This area of Italy is so mind blowing.... the landscape is not to be missed!! If we are to ever travel to Italy again, Tuscany and Il Mulinello will be on the top of our list! I can't say enough about the pleasure of staying in a beautiful villa as well as in a breathtaking area of Italy!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Quiet retreat

If you are looking for the real "Italian" experience, Monzone is a perfect locale. Far from the madding crowd this home is away from tourists, within an easy distance of the bakery for breakfast and town for a wonderful antipasti at Da Remo Ristorante. Walking down the steps to Il Mullinello you will find a countryside oasis where the only sound at night is the roar of the river.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

The Perfect Tuscany Vacation

July 2012 was my second visit to Il Mulinello. My previous visit during February and March was wonderful, but the July visit was divine. I am a writer and went by myself. Whether you want to use Il Mulinello as a base to visit the wonders of Northern Tuscany, or a hideaway to relax and read or whatever you do for relaxation, Il Mulinello is perfect. It is within a short drive from the Cinque Terre Coast to the west and Lucca to the south, both delightful, beautiful places. But Il Mulinello itself is gorgeous––a gurgling stream next to the house, a beautiful garden to sit and read in or contemplate whatever you like. Walking trails are nearby, or you can even climb a mountain. The house is comfortable––a nice kitchen, a lovely living room with beautiful views out all the windows, and a large bedroom upstairs. The downstairs has a second bathroom, washer and another bed. Within a mile are a couple of outstanding Italian restaurants (be sure to have the assorted ante pasta), and within a short driving distance are several other amazing restaurants. The owners, Art and Lynn, provide a notebook describing the restaurants with directions. You won't find a more beautiful, serene location or a more lovely home to stay in.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

a quiet retreat

My husband and I spent a month in Italy, and Il Mullinello was reserved for our final week. We arrived exhuasted and overstimulated. Fortunately for us, we had found a very quiet retreat (except for the enchanting river, of course.) The home has a lovely collection of books and CDs and we enjoyed both. It was lovely to have the windows open and to sit in the garden which is really like something out of a fairy tale with a stone fence and the clear stream running in nice little falls and rapids, bamboo, tropical plants, flowers, little gates, statues, nooks and crannies, all there to be explored at your leisure. There are many choices in outdoor seating and tons of privacy. We felt like kids exploring the stream looking for rocks--imagine being fifty and hunting for cool rocks! We enjoyed walking to Monzone and Equi Terme and we really did meet friendly, warm people in both towns. Roberto, the caretaker, was a joy to work with even though we finally resorted to hand motions after my Italian ran out. He brought us not one, but two bottles of his homemade wine. We loved being able to walk to the breadstore along a country road lined with wildflowers; we always began eating our fresh bread on the way back. We went to the coast twice that week. We loved Portovenere so much that we went back two days later. We really preferred it to Cinque Terre which we had seen earlier in the month. (The hikes are great at 5 Terre, though!) We were sad to leave Il Mullinello and Italy. But we'll be back--hopefully to both!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Linda H., St.Catharines,Ontario,Canada

An unforgettable vacation

To say we spent a relaxing week at Il Mulinello is an understatement indeed.Your home away from home had every convenience we could have possibly needed.Every day, every view,every meal in this NorthernTuscany region was more memorable than we could have ever hoped for.We travelled to the lovely town of Pontremoli (one of the lovely towns in the many informative booklets left by Lynn and Art) . Of course we travelled the gorgeous towns of Cinque Terre form Portofino ,along the coast stopping for lunch in Portovenere,a lovely fishing village with scrumptious fresh seafood.Lucca,Carrara,Sarzano and the trip through the rugged mountains to Reggio Nell Emilia just to visit market day for our balsamic,oil and cheese to bring home were all trips we shall never forget.The local restaurants Da Remo,Da Felice,Paradiso mmmm they were all delicious, the evening under the full moon at Al Veccio Tino we thought we had entered heaven,but oh no the next night we discovered Agriturismo Pretola in nearby Gragnola which was an evening of heavenly tastes. Our week came to an end far too quickly and we wished our goodbyes to Roberto and his happy Ciao's whilst he visited us to ensure we were well. thank you Lynn and Art,we are so happy we came across your listing. We will have happy memories when we are sitting in our rocking chairs reminiscing!!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Early November in Il mulinello

My wife and I had the pleasure of staying in this beautiful village as part our 25th anniversary trip. A more ideal location for this amazing cottage could not be imagined. The setting, the home itself are idyllic and more than we could have hoped for. And to think this was a last minute fill-in, as our previous booking was in the recently flooded Cinque de Terre region, and had to be canceled. We are lucky indeed. Many pictures, many memories. The food at De Remo, outstanding! I own a restaurant in the Niagara Region of ontario, a regional cuisine bistro, and this was some of the freshest and best I ever had. I was almost embarassed when I saw how small the tab was. The pizza at (I think) Paradiso was oustanding as well. Stone fired oven action in the open kitchen makes this place special. Thanks to Art and Lynn for helping us out with this (fortunate indeed) booking. We hope to return.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Donald T.

July 2011

The other reviews capture it all. This is a great place for a quiet get away. The setting is beautiful and there are many easy day trips to villages, beaches, small and large cities, etc. The food in the area and the wine are just excellent. Roberto is a treasure and makes one feel most welcome. If you are looking for an informal setting in Northern Tuscany, this is a great place.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lisa S., San Rafael

Paradiso Toscana

We spent an enchanting, restorative week at Il Mulinello. May is a great time to visit Italy--perfect weather. Our trip was an exploration on every level--visual (amazing landscapes abound), mental (downshifting to the relaxing sounds of the river), physical (invigorating hikes into the Apuane Alps start from your doorstep), gastronomic (best meal in our lifetime at Al Vecchio Tino), culinary (cooking for ourselves with the freshest ingredients--the local cheese shop is a must!), enological (from homemade wine to super Tuscan). Il Mulinello is great starting point for many trips throughout the region--Lucca, Lerici, Cinque Terra, Parma, and beyond. Or, you can just spend a week enjoying this Tuscan retreat, exploring Monzone and trekking through the surrounding villages. We can't wait to return!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

relax in Old Italy

Il mulinello takes you back to true Italy, the house has all the modern conveniences, The stream puts you to sleep at night after a home cooked meal of Fresh pasta,produce and magnificent bread and plenty of local Wine and cheese. Most people speak only Italian but are very warm and accepting if you try, if not, no problem at all. Spend a day exploring the local area,the next day hike the Cinque Terra , Lucca for Olive oil, Carrera for marble, day three up in the morning walk 1 kilometer to bakery for fresh bread hot from the oven sit by the stream read a book unwind and relax. TRUE VACATION UNWIND RELAX SEE THE SIGHTS IF YOU WANT, BEST WE HAVE EVER HAD AND LOOK FORWARD TO OUR NEXT TRIP. Local restaurants wonderful, a treat to behold. I could go on for ever this true old Italy at it's best. Cannot go wrong with a week in Northern Tuscany at Il Mulinello
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Serenity in Tuscany

Il Mulinello is a slice of heaven on earth. The home is perched on the side of a singing stream, surrounded by garderns, greenery and situated between two friendly villages. Our week here was the highlight of our trip in Tuscany. The house itself is very comfortable and charming. We appreciated the books with Italy info left for us to read, a kitchen with everything we needed to cook some delicious dinners, the patio furniture to enjoy river and the gracious help of the caretaker Roberto. Il Mullinello is also a great base for day trips to Lucca, Cinque Terre, Carrara... to name a few. The owners are exceptionally communicative and helpful and generous in sharing their knowlege of the surrounding area. I can only hope to have the good fortune to visit again.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

The Experience of a Lifetime

That is how I feel about my month in this beautiful Italian villa. It is perfect for a couple or a couple with two children. It has two bedrooms and two baths. The master bedroom is large and very comfortable. The living/dining area is also large with a beautiful rustic wood dining table and two couches, not to mention windows that look out on the wild garden, rustic patio and stream. The feature that I like the best is what they say about the three most important things in real estate--location, location, location. Il Mulinello is located next to a beautiful stream (when I was there in February and March, it was more like a river) that broadcasts its soothing sound inside the house all year. Surrounding the house is an enchanting wild garden of trees, plants and flowers and a secluded patio. Across the stream is a lovely walking trail of about a mile and a half accessed by a short walk. And up above are lush Tuscan hills backed by the towering mountains of Parco delle Apuane National Park. The villa is located about halfway between two small northern Tuscany towns--Monzone and Equi Terme. The nearest cities are La Spezia and Parma. The lovely city of Lucca (purportedly home of the world's best olive oil) is a an hour and forty minute train ride away, or an even shorter drive. The beautiful northern coast of Italy is about an hour's drive. While central and southern Tuscany are overrun with tourists, most of northern Tuscany (above Florence) have been left unspoiled, and the most unspoiled of all is the area around the villa. Yet the attractions of Tuscany are there: great food, friendly people and gorgeous scenery. One should stay long enough to explore the area and enjoy the beauty and serenity of the villa. Spend some time in Lucca to the south and the beautiful coastal fishing village of Lerici.

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