Braccicorti: a restored farmhouse in authentic northern Tuscany

Between the rugged Apuan Alps and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines lies the Garfagnana: a lush green valley in northern Tuscany, filled with chestnut forests, medieval villages, and emerald-green lakes. Here, on a quiet hill overlooking the valley, you’ll find Agriturismo Braccicorti, a small-scale, sustainable farm where you can still truly experience the rhythm of rural life.

Since 1996, the Giovannetti family has been welcoming guests here to their restored farmhouse. Not with grand gestures, but with small ones: a warm welcome, homegrown produce, and a dog that stops by to say hello. Their motto: happiness is found in the little things, and that’s exactly what you feel in this place.

A welcoming farm with friendly animals

The agriturismo was created from an old stable and barn dating from the early 20th century, which were restored in stone with respect for the traditional architecture. Located across from the family home, this large building forms the heart of Braccicorti: here you’ll find the guest rooms and apartments, the dining area, the kitchen, and a cozy lounge with a fireplace where you can warm up on winter evenings.

In the summer, you can enjoy delicious meals outdoors, under a wisteria-covered pergola, with a view of the northern Apuan Alps. Around the farm, dogs and cats wander leisurely, chickens scratch around in the grass, and above all, peace and quiet reign. This is the kind of place where you naturally slow down—whether you’re reading a book by the pool or simply watching the ever-changing light over the mountains.

From Grain to Glass: Tasting from the Farm

Braccicorti is a working farm where local traditions and agricultural biodiversity take center stage. On centuries-old terraces, the family grows, among other things:

• spelt
• corn varieties such as “Ottofile” and “Nano di Verni”
• “Casciane” apples
• potatoes and seasonal vegetables
• red wine made from the “ciliegiolo” grape (related to Sangiovese)

The family is an active member of the “Garfagnana Food and Agrobiodiversity Community,” which is dedicated to preserving local varieties, supporting short supply chains, and promoting sustainable production methods. As a guest, you’ll literally get a taste of the valley.

Sleeping between a chestnut grove and a mountain panorama

The main farmhouse offers 4 comfortable rooms and 2 apartments, each with a private bathroom. The double rooms are ideal for couples; an extra bed (for a child up to 12 years old) can be added upon request. Breakfast for 2 people is included. Dinner is available for groups of 8 or more (in the golf clubhouse).

The apartments feature a double bedroom and a single bedroom, a kitchen, and a bathroom. They’re ideal if you’re staying for a while or want to cook for yourself. The pool is just a few meters away—a great place to cool off on hot summer days.

If you’re looking for even more peace and nature, there are the “casine”: small cottages scattered across the grounds, among the meadows, fields, and on the edge of the chestnut forest. They were originally old metati (chestnut drying houses), tool sheds, and animal shelters, which have been converted using traditional materials into simple yet charming vacation cottages for 2 to 5 people. They feature:

• 1 or more bedrooms
• private bathroom
• kitchen or kitchenette

From the cottage, you can enjoy an impressive starry sky, silence, the howl of a fox in the distance, a roe deer or fallow deer that sometimes passes by, and the singing of birds. Located centrally among the cottages is a second swimming pool with a playground on a natural terrace, offering sweeping views of the valley and the Apuan Alps.

Garfagnana: Rugged and Charming Tuscany

The Garfagnana is often described as a “condensed universe”: wherever you walk, a new view opens up before you—a rock, a hermitage, a forest, a castle, or a small village along the Serchio River. The landscape is wild yet softened by the people who have lived here and worked the land for centuries.

Braccicorti is located right in the heart of this landscape; it’s ideal if you’re experience Tuscany away from the crowded cities: nestled among green mountains, chestnut forests, and authentic villages like Castiglione di Garfagnana and Villa Collemandina. Lucca is about 50 kilometers away.

Hiking Right from Your Front Door

Garfagnana is a hiker’s paradise, with a dense network of trails through forests, over the peaks of the Apennines and the Apuan Alps, and past medieval fortresses and crystal-clear green lakes.

From Agriturismo Braccicorti, you can literally walk out the door with your backpack and leave your car behind. Several hiking trails (ranging from about 3 to 10 km) start and end at the farm and take you to places such as:

• the village of Villetta
• Lake Pontecosi
• the panoramic hill of Capriola
• the villages of Castiglione di Garfagnana and Villa Collemandina

If you want to venture deeper into the mountains, contact Pierluigi, a member of the Giovanetti family as well as a nature hiking guide and guide for the Apennine Park. He is a member of Garfagnana Guide and AIGAE and is an expert in local history, GIS, and digital cartography. He organizes hiking tours for all skill levels, from day trips to multi-day treks, during which you’ll not only get to know the landscape but also learn the stories of the valley: from the Apuan Ligurians to the Romans, the Lombards, and the era of the Este family (in English).

Cycling and Golf in the Countryside

You can also explore Garfagnana at your own pace by bike. Starting from Braccicorti, there are routes for:

• individual travelers
• families
• groups

You’ll cycle along quiet roads, unpaved trails, and more challenging trails in the nature parks. In partnership with a local bike center and qualified guides, the agriturismo will help you choose the right route and organize an unforgettable cycling experience.

Another unique feature is the 6-hole par-3 golf course on the estate, recognized by the Italian Golf Federation. The course is nestled among the vineyards and fields and features a covered driving range, a putting green, and a clubhouse. Guests can relax and play a few holes here or, alternatively, get introduced to the sport under the guidance of a UISP instructor from the Garfagnana Golf Club.

The course is maintained according to environmentally friendly standards—with careful water use, minimal use of fertilizers, and solar energy—and has therefore received the “Committed to Green” award.

Sustainable stays with a small carbon footprint

Agriturismo Braccicorti is not just any farm, but a model of ecologically responsible tourism. The agriturismo adheres to the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism and takes numerous concrete measures to minimize its environmental impact and strengthen the local economy.

Guests are invited to do their part: use water, electricity, and heat wisely; sort their trash; choose local and seasonal foods; and explore the area on foot or by bike as much as possible.

Agriturismo Braccicorti is exactly the kind of place Nature Travel Lab loves: an authentic agriturismo in Tuscany, where experiencing nature, local culture, outdoor activities, and sustainability go hand in hand. A green base in Garfagnana for those who want to discover Tuscany at a slower, more mindful pace.