Residence la Mezzaluna

Our hostess, instructor, and now Amica della nostra Famiglia is warm, friendly, knowledgeable, kind, funny, and very active! Rita has an amazing support team: Alex Il Uomo, Sandra, Tonya, Marina, and son Ricardo who assist Rita in maintaining a well stocked and very clean facility that includes live - fun entertainment via Alex, Rita, and Sandra in the evenings. Rita is the yeast causing each of her students to rise as they learn the finer art of preparing Tuscano cusine. The classes are fun and the final meals each day are more than delicious. Rita mixes classes with daily tours to historic towns and wineries ensuring a wonderful experience for all. Example, upon finding out I am a WWII buff, Rita went out of her way to see the students that wanted to were able tour the Gothic Line Museum. Rick, Gale, Dolly, and I now consider Rita and Alex famiglia! They have an open invitation to visit our home too! Rita, Grazie Per Tutti!

Loved this place. My wife was on a photography course ( also brilliant) but we got to enjoy the fantastic food which our American friends on the cookery school prepared for us- traditional Italian meals to suit all tastes, all under the expert guidance of jovial Rita and her team. Lovely friendly atmosphere, lots of wine, fun and friendship in this beautiful part of Tuscany.

Rita looked after us so wonderfully - from the moment we stepped off the plane to the moment we returned to the airport a week later. We were collected at the airport and driven to La Mezza Luna through beautiful countryside and Rita told us a bit about the history of how it all came about. Once there we were spoiled rotten. A full itinerary of wonderful cooking classes, trips to Pisa, Lucca and some beautiful hilltop towns, wine tastings, the market etc. The food was beautiful authentic Italian dishes all generously served with unlimited wine. We felt very much at home amongst our beautiful surroundings and made some lovely friends with our fellow chefs and of course Rita who is the most warm, kind, generous host you could wish for. The evenings were spent listening to Alex and Matt singing and they managed to get everyone up dancing. We couldn't have wished for a more wonderful holiday. Thank you Rita and Alex - you were amazing. I couldn't recommend this holiday more highly - get yourself booked in!

We have just returned from an unforgettable holiday at Mezza Luna. Everything was perfect from the moment we arrived. Where to start? Food, wine, cookery lessons, visits, company, the views, Rita's hospitality. It was a home from home. We were welcomed like family members. Everybody is made to feel so welcome. We were a mixed group from different countries and very different ages but all "gelled" from the first moment we met and felt relaxed in Rita's beautiful home.

La Mezzaluna is a short walk from Barga Gallicano train station, and buses to Lucca. Rita is amazingly hospitable & welcoming, and did so much to make our stay enjoyable. Rooms are very nice, buffet breakfast set us up for the day. There is a bus up to Barga during the day, and a taxi back in evening.If you visit Barga, this is the place to stay.