la Gallina Spiritosa
Rustic holiday apartments
in a charming traditional farmhouse
Enjoy a relaxing stay in the scenic countryside of
South Piedmont.
Experience Italy at its best and discover Piedmont's rich culinary tradition, its natural and historic beauty and its amazing wines.
La Gallina Spiritosa offers you
the joy, simplicity and charm
of traditional Italian country life.
Come and stay
in one of our private cosy holiday apartments
inside a traditional Piedmontese farmhouse
and enjoy the breathtaking views
of the majestic hills
of the renowned Langhe Wine Region.
THE HOLIDAY APARTMENTS
We have created
two cosy panoramic
HOLIDAY APARTMENTS
"Beppe” - 1st floor
is a spacious one-bedroom apartment (sleeping 4) located in the oldest part of the house, dating back to the late 1700s. It boasts many original features such as vaulted ceilings and authentic terracotta and wooden floors. Beppe has direct access to our shared hayloft.
“Cesare” - 2nd floor
is a spacious one-bedroom apartment (sleeping 4)
offering the most spectacular panoramic views of the entire house. The second floor was added in the early 1930s and therefore has a mixture of more contemporary elements (e.g. iron French windows) with some lovely old features such as terracotta floors and authentic wooden built-in closets.
Both apartments:
• are the same size (total surface of 77 sqm each)
• have lots of character (with a mixture of traditional, recovered and modern furnishings)
• are completely independent, each with its own private entrance
• have a private south-facing balcony
• can be rented separately or together.
Each apartment consists of:
• a cosy living room with sofa bed
• a fully equipped kitchen with dining area
• an extra large bathroom with walk-in shower
• one spacious bedroom with a comfy rustic French bed (towels and bedding are provided).
OUR SERVICES
Local & Insider Tips
We would be more than happy to give you useful tips on some nice relaxing walks nearby, the best local markets to buy local produce, which historic villages and cities to explore first, which local delicacies to make sure to try (or perhaps to avoid!). We can also advise you on the best coffee places, gelaterie, wine bars and amazing local restaurants (according to your budget and taste) and so much more...
Do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have!
Eating and relaxing in our Panoramic Hayloft
Our magnificent traditional hayloft with its impressive exposed wood beams, offers spectacular views overlooking the majestic hills of the Langhe as well as the Maritime Alps. Deckchairs as well as dining tables and chairs are at your disposal for leasurely naps, reading a good book, relaxing aperitifs and endless outdoor lunches and dinners. There is also a small bar area where you can help yourself to some homemade refreshments, teas and coffees.
It is a shared space where you can hang out, relax and mingle.
Enjoy our Garden
& Vegetable Garden
Our large garden can be used for relaxing while enjoying the breathtaking views . You will also be able to taste our fresh vegetables straight from the vegetable garden as well as some juicy fruit from our cherry, fig, apple and pear trees, depending on the season.
Free Parking
& Free Wifi
There is plenty of roadside parking available and some limited covered parking (upon request).
We have free Wifi throughout the house although we hope to tempt you to disconnect, reload your batteries and fully experience and appreciate the benefits and beauty of Italian country life.
A stocked fridge
upon arrival
We always provide the absolute basics such as coffee, olive oil, sugar, salt etc. but you may like us to organise a nice selection of delicious local cheeses, cured meats, breads, a bottle of local Dolcetto wine, etc to already be ready and waiting for you on arrival. Just tell us what you would like and what we should be mindful of (food allergies and special diets).
Breakfast / Lunch /
Dining Service
We can organize for delicious local food to be delivered on those days when you do not feel like preparing anything yourself. Fill us in on your likes and dislikes (including potential food allergies and/or dietary requirements) and we will present you with some delicious options to choose from.
GALLERY
THINGS TO DO & VISIT
Walking or cycling in the area
There are some lovely walks in the middle of the vineyards of the Langhe (some only take to 2 hours and others take an entire day) as well as short and long mountain trails in the nearby Maritime Alps.
Cycling has become quite popular but it is also somewhat risky here in Italy since there are no designated cycle paths and Italian drivers can be quite inconsiderate. So please bare this in mind. Nonetheless, many find it incredibly satisfying and love the spectacular views along the way.
Discover the grandeur and charm of Turin & surroundings
Turin is the former capital of Italy and home of Fiat, which explains both its considerable remaining grandeur and elegance as well as some of its decay. You will have trouble choosing between the lively borough of San Salvario, the up-and-coming Aurora, the bohemian Vanchiglia and the touristy yet beautiful Centro. The leafy and peaceful Parco del Valentino provides a nice picnic spot overlooking the river Po, and so does Il Giardino Reale behind Palazzo Madama (one of the many royal palaces and residences of the House of Savoy dotted in and around Turin).
A relaxing day at the beach
It is only a one hour drive (via the A6 Torino - Savona motorway) from the farmhouse to the historic port of Savona on the Mediterranean coast. Savour a tasty ice cream, order some fresh seafood in one of the many local seaside restaurants and enjoy a relaxing swim followed by a lazy nap on one of the many private and public beaches.
Some of our personal favourite coastal towns are Savona, Imperia and obviously Genova (a two hour drive). Some smaller seaside villages and beaches we can also recommend are Varigotti, Cervo and Baia delle Sirene at Torre del Mare.
Local wineries / wine tastings
The Langhe is mostly known for its world renowned Barolo red wine. Many wine aficionados come here to visit one or several prestigious wineries such as Ceretto, Gaja, Marchesi di Barolo,... yet there are also some amazing small wineries to discover. Barolo is made of Nebbiolo grapes, but you should definitely also try some Barbera or Dolcetto. For those who prefer white, there is Arneis and Favorita as well as Alta Langa, a local sparkling wine.
We can make reservations for a guided visit and/or wine tasting at one of the many local wineries.
Slow Food, food shopping and local markets
The Slow Food movement originated in Italy as a response to the growth of fast food and fast life. Its main objective is to prevent the disappearance of local food cultures and traditions and to counter the many negative developments in the food system worldwide.
Join in with the locals and go food shopping at one of the many weekly local markets. Mondovì hosts two large food markets per week (Tue & Sat), Carrù has one each Thursday.
For high quality food and/or souvenir shopping there are the seductive but pricy Eataly food stores.
Local cultural & historical sites
The Langhe is filled with history and stunning cultural sites. Do you prefer a walk in one of the many picturesque hilltop villages such as Bossolasco and La Morra or would you rather visit one of the many ancient castles such as the ones in Serralunga d'Alba or Grinzane Cavour? The San Fiorenzo Chapel in Bastia, a 1000 year old gem with beautifully preserved murals, is also not to be missed. The little known historic cities of Mondovì, Fossano, Cuneo and Dogliani are all worth a visit.
ABOUT
My name is Larissa and
I am the proud owner and host of La Gallina Spiritosa.
I'm from Antwerp (Belgium) and in Flemish we say "zotte kiek" ("kiek" is slang for "chicken") when referring to someone who is comical as well as a little crazy. Loosely translated in Italian, "de zotte kiek" or "the crazy chick" becomes "la gallina spiritosa".
On a sunny day in August of 2018, while driving along the quiet country roads of the Langhe region,
I came across an abandoned traditional farmhouse or "cascina",
perched on a hilltop, surrounded by fields, a few farms, many hazelnut groves and some vineyards.
To my great delight, an initial visit revealed that most of the farmhouse's original features, such as the old terracotta floor tiles and the vaulted ceilings, had mostly remained intact.
I had finally found the perfect spot to realize my long-held dream: living in Italy, restoring and transforming a rustic farmhouse and sharing the experience with people from all over the world.
RATES for 2024
