La Casa Toscana

Scenic gravel and road bike rides, the sea just 6 km away, world-famous Bolgheri vineyards - and two charming apartments waiting for you in Tuscany.
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English version + version française en dessous.
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2 big apartments to rent in Castagneto Carducci. Do you want to visit Tuscany, and also the Mediterranean? Then forget about Florence & Siena and discover an unknown part of Tuscany. The Etruscan Coast, south of Pisa and Livorno, is a fantastic place, with authentic villages, sandy beaches (we have our secret uncrowded spots...), very famous wines, amazing cycling roads and all the best of Italy... if you like that kind of thing ;-)

La Casa Toscana is in Castagneto Carducci. On the upper level of the farmhouse, discover «Monte» & «Mare», two 1000 square foot (90 square meters) apartments for rent, surrounded by over 2 acres of garden (9000 square meters), with olive and fruit trees, and only 6 km from the beach. At the bottom level, you can take Italian cooking classes with Chicca and Cooking in Tuscany (https://www.facebook.com/cookingwithchicca). And if you love cycling just like us, you'll see infinite possibilities of rides. The house is located along the Strada del Vino which winds it's way through vineyards, olive orchards and poppy fields passing some of the most famous Super Tuscan wineries in Italy, like Sassicaia or Ornellaia. But there are many other things we'll have the pleasure to help you to discover. See you soon at La Casa Toscana!
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2 grands appartements à louer à Castagneto Carducci. Envie de Toscane, mais aussi de mer ? Alors, oubliez Florence et Sienne et découvrez une partie méconnue de la Toscane. La côte Étrusque, au sud de Pise et Livourne est un endroit superbe avec des villages authentiques, des plages non bondées, des vins très réputés, des routes à vélo fantastiques et tout le charme de l’Italie... enfin, pour ceux qui aiment ce genre de choses ;-)

La Casa Toscana, c'est à Castagneto Carducci. Au 1er étage, découvrez «Monte» et «Mare», 2 appartements à louer de 90 m2 chacun, entourés d’un jardin de 9000 m2, avec oliviers et arbres fruitiers, à 6 km de la mer. Au rez-de-chaussée, vous pouvez prendre des cours de cuisine italienne avec Chicca et son association Cooking in Tuscany (https://www.facebook.com/cookingwithchicca). Et si vous aimez le vélo comme nous, vous avez des possibilités infinies ! La maison est sur la Route des Vins de Bolgheri, qui trace son chemin entre vignes, oliviers et arbres fruitiers, longeant quelques domaines parmi les plus célèbres des Super Toscans, comme Sassicaia ou Ornellaia. Mais il y a aussi plein d'autres adresses qu'on aura plaisir à vous faire découvrir. Alors, à bientôt à La Casa Toscana !

19/09/2026

Hello friends, how is it going? 🐾

1 month and 1 day after my 1st birthday, everything is going great here!

With Chicca's cooking classes and the apartment rentals, there are always lots of people at the house. 🏡👨‍🍳

I always love welcoming guests so much! I'm just so happy they're here, and my favorite thing to do is shower them with kisses and give them big sloppy licks. 👅❤️

The other day, our friend Giuliano came back to visit. A bit tired from jet lag after flying in from Florida, he went straight to rest in the garden. ✈️😴

It was stronger than me, I just couldn't resist giving him a big kiss!

Okay, fine, he was fast asleep. And okay, maybe I climbed right onto his lounge chair. But it was purely an act of love to tell him how happy I was to see him again! 🛋️🐶

Even though I woke him up a bit, he didn't mind at all. Chicca, on the other hand, quickly came to retrieve me so he could get back to resting. Too bad, I would have gladly stayed on that lounge chair with him! 🤷‍♂️

Besides that, I'm still discovering new foods to refine my palate as a gourmet dog. 👨‍🍳✨

Even though I still love my kibble, red cabbage has become my absolute guilty pleasure. 🥬😋

Whenever I hear the sound of Chicca's knife chopping vegetables in the kitchen, I run over to see what’s going on, waiting to see what she has in store for me. And my patience is often rewarded!

Though when I'm in the mood for a quick snack, I'll eat pretty much anything lying around. Recently, it was a roll of string and a plastic box filled with liquid laundry detergent pods. 🧶🧼

I have to admit... I definitely prefer kibble!

Alright, I'll let you go!

If I could, I'd give you all a big lick. Since you're too far away reading this, just know the thought is there!

See you soon, friends, amici, amis! 🐾🐶💛

24/08/2026

This morning, just before 8 a.m., we got a huge surprise as we left the house on our bikes. First, we saw these wild boars running alongside the vineyard to the left of the path.

Then, they turned right, crossed the path, and went into the other vineyard.

We stopped and quickly pulled out the iPhone to take a photo. But it was in video mode, which turned out to be so much better!

To count them, we had to rewatch the clip in slow motion. There were 20 of them, from the biggest to the tiny ones.

What a magical moment!

18/08/2026

Hello friends, amici, amis! 🐾

Big news today: I’m not counting months anymore, I'm starting to count years!

That’s right: I am one year old today! 🎉

For my birthday, I’m hoping for a double portion of kibble. No need to put a candle on it, though.

First, because I’m not sure I could blow it out. And second, I’d probably end up eating it (come to think of it, I’ve never tasted a candle before!). 🕯️😋

For my birthday, we’re going to do my absolute favorite thing: taking a walk up to Castagneto Carducci with Birra!

As soon as the shutters open, Birra gets excited like crazy. And I have to admit, I get excited too. Not just about the walk, but also because I kind of consider her my personal sheep. 🐑🐕

The moment she moves an eye (or a paw), I pounce on her to try and pin her down!

But as soon as the leashes go on, everything settles down and we become very well-behaved.

Well, maybe not quite me yet. I still have the bad habit of wanting to jump towards other big dogs whenever we cross paths. Sometimes they really have to hold onto my leash tight! 😅

We always stay on the leash when walking up to Castagneto. Mainly because Birra has hunting dog genes and can dash off in a flash if she spots an animal. 🐾

We also keep it on because we know there are wolves roaming the hills these days, especially at night. Just the other morning on our way up, we saw the sad proof: a poor cat left with only its head and organs.

I’d hate for anything like that to happen to my buddy Aldo, but cats are such wanderers and hunters that you never know. 🐈

When we get to Castagneto Carducci, we always head to the exact same bar: the one where Mariella works! ☕

Why?

Because she always welcomes us with a tasty little snack and a bowl of nice, fresh water. Pure bliss! 🦴💦

If Mariella didn't exist, someone would have to invent her!

After our break and the cappuccino (I pass on that one…), we head back down the hill the same way… right before I dive headfirst into my water bowl waiting at home.

Then a new day can begin, filled with my kibble, belly rubs, and guarding everyone at home, my duty as the ultimate protector… and, of course, my naps! 😴

And my first birthday nap is going to be the absolute best… until the next one!

See you soon, friends, amici, amis! 🐾🐶💛

18/07/2026

Hello friends, amici, amis! 🐾

I hope everything is going well!

Today is a special day because I am eleven months old, and I have a little secret to share with you: Aldo absolutely loves me! 🤫✨

Yes, that same cat who attacked me the second I set my tiny puppy paws in the house.

The cat who isn't afraid to go after any dog that comes to visit us.

The cat who loves to jump into every car and sleep on the roof, even if they're moving.

Yes, that very cat! 🐈

Well, that very cat adores me! 🥰

He loves to curl up right next to me and absolutely loves it when I lick his head. And since I love licking everyone, everybody is happy! 👅

Still, I sometimes wonder if he actually knows he's a cat. Maybe because he attacks even Rhodesian Ridgebacks, he thinks he's a lion!

Either way, having him as my friend makes me roar with joy! 🦁🐾

Alright, I'll leave you with a big lick!

See you soon, friends, amici, amis! 🐾🐶💛

17/07/2026

The tomatoes in my garden are finally ripening, and when I don't have enough, I walk across the road to our local farmer’s stand to bring home a basket of sweet, sun-ripened ones.

I use tomatoes almost every day in my cooking. When something is fresh and full of flavor, I believe simple is always best. This is what I love about Italian cooking.

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16/07/2026

Every year in Bolgheri, there is one morning we never want to miss.

July 16th is the only day when the gates to the beautiful road leading up to Castiglioncello di Bolgheri open for the Festa della Madonna del Carmine.

We wake up early and meet our biking friends at 6:30 in the morning. Together, we quietly start riding along the Wine Road, heading toward the old gate. We go so early because, in summer, the heat arrives quickly, but also because there is something magical about having this road almost entirely to ourselves.

This year, as usual, we were the first ones to arrive.

The climb is not easy: about 7 kilometers uphill through vineyards, untouched forests, and the ruins of old stone houses. But every time, it feels like stepping into another world.

These hills are part of the ancient lands of the Della Gherardesca family, who settled here more than 1,000 years ago and owned this territory for centuries. Even today, they still own much of the land and the hills we ride through.

At the top, we reach the old castle, where many years ago a hermit lived. Standing there feels like going back in time. There are only stones, trees, silence, and the endless view stretching all the way to the Mediterranean Sea.

The scent of the Mediterranean plants is everywhere: wild herbs, flowers, and the humid summer air. It is so intense.

And then, among all this untouched nature, there is one small vineyard on the southeastern side of the hill.

This is where the story of Super Tuscan wines began, where the first French grape varieties were planted in Tuscany, and where Sassicaia was born.

After spending some time soaking in the atmosphere and taking a few pictures, we slowly rode back home, where we shared some coffee and a little breakfast together.

These are the moments I love about living here in Bolgheri. The places, the people, and the traditions that bring us together year after year.

13/07/2026

Hello friends, amici, amis! 🐾

How is it going?

I hope it’s not too hot where you are. Here, even with the nice sea breeze and the cool air coming down from the hills in the evening, I’m still quite warm, especially with all this fur I’m carrying around! 🥵🦁

But I’m not the only one dealing with the heat. Even Birra - who has shorter hair than me - and Aldo aren't big fans of it.

During the day, Aldo sleeps absolutely anywhere: right against the house or in the shade on top of the parked cars (that’s his specialty).

In the evening, he goes out hunting. When the sun comes up, we always hear him meowing as he arrives, as if to say, "I'm back, you can serve my kibble now!" That cat really thinks he owns the place! 🐈‍⬛👑

Since my two furry buddies aren’t being very active, I decided to take matters into my own paws! 🐾

Since we don't have a swimming pool at home, I decided to dig one myself. I’m doing it very strategically, right next to the parking gate, under an olive tree. That way, I can keep an eye on everyone coming in and monitor the growing olives at the same time. 🫒👀

As you can see, my construction work is coming along nicely! And to keep me motivated, I even have the cicadas singing along to the rhythm of my digging. I don’t know when my Olympic pool will be ready, but at least it’s a nice change from ripping out and chewing on the veggie garden irrigation hoses. 💦🌱

I just can't resist doing that, even though it seems some people still don't appreciate it. Maybe they should try tasting them, it might change their minds! 🤷‍♂️🤪

See you soon, friends, amici, amis! 🐾🐶💛

22/06/2026

🐝Every morning is magic in the garden.

🇫🇷Chaque matin est magique dans le jardin.

18/06/2026

Hello friends, amici, amis! 🐾

Is everything going well with you? It’s been a while since I gave you any updates because I’ve been very, very busy. 🐾

But since I am ten months old today, I thought I’d pop in to say a quick hello! 🎈

I’m still growing bigger and bigger. And I owe that to a very diverse diet! On top of my kibble, I eat shoes, rugs, cushions, and still... the irrigation hoses in Chicca's vegetable garden. 👟🛋️

Even though they tell me not to, it's stronger than me! I just can't resist the urge to rip them out and add a few extra holes to the watering holes that are already there! Now, they've protected all of them with planks, tiles, and sticks. It's not so easy to savor them anymore. 🙄

I think this has seriously ruined my career as a gardener, because Chicca doesn't want me anywhere near the veggie patch now. On the bright side, I still love eating garden vegetables like cabbage (I adore it!). Right now, it's apricot season. All I have to do is wait for them to fall from the trees and devour them. So delicious! 🍑😋

Apart from that, I like to keep fit and show everyone just how strong I’m getting! As you can see in this video from a few weeks ago, Chicca is already losing the tug-of-war against me!" 🏆🐶

If you want to come and challenge my strength, I'm waiting for you. But fair warning: don't expect to win, because I will put my whole heart and strength into winning the battle! 🏆

See you soon, friends, amici, amis! 🐾🐶💛

22/05/2026

🏡Can you spot the house? (easy!)

🇫🇷 Pouvez vous trouver la maison ? (facile!)

Indirizzo

Località Vallone, 194
Castagneto
57022

Sito Web

https://cookingintuscany.cc/casa-toscana/

Notifiche

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