Ron and Susie Gauld started their project to renovate this beautiful house in old Barga five years ago. The resultant immaculate bed and breakfast hotel has now been open for business for four years. They run the place entirely on their own, and appear very relaxed about the whole thing. You feel that you are staying in a friend's spare bedroom rather than as a paying guest, and the breakfast around the big table in the cantina is as sociable as you could wish. If you decide not to come down for breakfast (our teenage daughter rarely managed it), you'd be wise to have it in your room rather than miss the superb fresh and locally-sourced fruits, jams, meats and cheeses. (And the muesli - thanks for the muesli.) The rooms are simple, cool, clean and well-equipped, with decent showers, great views front and back, and comfy beds. We also loved the walled garden and the selection of help-yourself refreshments.

This was a thoroughly great stay in a thoroughly great B+B in a thoroughly spectacular part of Italy! What more can we say?!
Well, to begin with the service that we received from the hosts of Casa Fontana- Ron and Susi was first class. Ranging from the overall cleanliness and appearance of their property, to the breathtaking views of Barga and its surrounds which greet you from the balconies, to the local information which Ron and Susi have at their fingertips, to the great chat which abounds at breakfast time amongst the hosts and guests.
This is a wonderful guest house with a friendly atmosphere which puts you into a relaxed holiday mode as soon as you enter. The hosts have lots of information on local eating places, walks and sights of Barga and its surrounding area.
Barga is a lovely town with buildings which capture your imagination, interesting shops and set amongst inspiring countryside and hills. It is blessed with stunning views which can be enjoyed from all sides of the town, due to the availability of many quaint lanes and country walks . Use Casa Fontana as a base to explore a lovely part of Italy on foot or by bus or train.
The town has an varied selection of eating places which were recommended to us by Ron and Susi, great places to retire to of an evening after taking a stroll through old and new Barga. Alternatively the garden of Casa Fontana provides a delightful setting in which to enjoy the ambience of a warm Italian evening.
Go there -you won't be disappointed. We certainly will be back!

My father and I stayed at Casa Fontana for three nights in the beginning of July. When we arrived we had a lovely friendly welcome from Ron and Susie, a cool drink in the garden and Ron even offered to take my bag upstairs for me.

The rooms and bathroom have to be the most immaculate I've seen in Italy. The beds were quite comfortable and the sheets lovely a crisp. We had a beautiful view of the garden and the town from our third floor room. Our bathroom wasn't accessible through our room, you had to go out into the hall, but we were the only ones on the floor so it worked out ok.

The breakfast was excellent, homemade jams, fruit salad, museli, fresh bread, fresh juice, tea and coffee. However make sure you get down stairs at the time you arranged because you may find other guests have already devoured your share of the food.

Be warned about the walk that Ron recommends as the first one to try. This walk leaves you with the feeling that you've been sent on a wild goose chase. The directions are quite vague and useless and on top of that the village at the end of the trail is a complete nothing. The 'cafe' is a dark hole in the wall run by a woman who is so old and unhealthy that you dont even want to make her get up out of her seat.

The best way to get to Barga and to explore the outside area really is by car. The train station is quite a way from the town and the numbers for the taxis at the station are completely useless as no one answers them.

I definately will be returning to Casa Fontana sometime in the near future.

July 1st for 6 days, First time in Italy, had noticed this place on trip advisor and decided to investigate. So glad we did, the place and hosts, Ron and Suzi are fantastic. We have travelled all over the world and like staying in nice places, we do not often go back to the same place unless excellent. Would not hesitate to go back here. As other reviews have mentioned, did not really want to tell people about this b amd b, because the more people know the less chance of getting in, "but have too," to complement and recommend for the 2 people, Ron and Suzi, who have put all the hard work in to making it such a wonderful place to holiday in. Barga is like another world, small alleyways, quaint squares and lovely people. If you never go you will never know, and if you want to experience the proper tuscany then Casa Fontana and Barga is the place. Miss it, your hard luck.....Julie and Hal Mulrenan