Badia Giulia

Badia Giulia is at via Badia 15, in Camaiore, between the sea of Versilia and the Apuan Alps. The site of the property tells how the bed and breakfast is set inside an old Benedictine monastery, on the via Francigena, and that the rooms are six: il Granaio, le Celle, il Riparo, il Camino, il Dormitorio and il Refettorio. The distances published on the Booking page are eleven kilometres from the station of Viareggio, twenty eight from Piazza Napoleone and forty one from Pisa Galileo Galilei airport.

The rule on age is written by the owners in the frequently asked questions on their own site: the property is dedicated to adults only and pets are not allowed, in order to preserve the atmosphere of privacy and silence. The Booking page says the same thing in the children's conditions block, where it reads that children are not allowed and that there are no cots or extra beds. Neither of the two sources publishes a figure.

The wellness part is the aspect that sets this house apart, and it is reserved for adults like everything else. The garden is walled and holds a small swimming pool with a hot tub for four people, open from May to September with dedicated time slots. Two rooms have a private sauna and the Turkish bath, that is a shower with steam and chromotherapy. The property also offers holistic massages and private pilates sessions in the garden.

Breakfast is home made and served as a buffet: cakes, biscuits and home baked goods, local seasonal fruit, yoghurt, honey, organic eggs and a savoury selection; when the temperature allows it, it is eaten in the garden. On request the house arranges an early evening meal in the garden. There is no television in the rooms, by stated choice, and the concierge service replaces the screen with advice about the area.

One difference between the sources should be flagged: the Booking page indicates free bicycles, while the site of the property speaks of a bicycle hire service. It is worth asking at the time of booking which of the two conditions applies for the period chosen. Parking, according to Booking, is free, the WiFi covers the whole property and smoking is not allowed.