Dragodena is a private 15th century Italian stone farmhouse for rent with Wi-Fi, large salon, fully equipped kitchen, 6 beautiful bedrooms, a private nearby pool, outdoor shower, tranquil outside dinning, and a panoramic view of the fields and forests of the Apennine Hills. Located in a small hilltop borgo, Dragodena offers wonderful day hikes, local museums, world class cycling, and excellent nearby restaurants, The isolated and dominant position of this medieval farm house guarantees total privacy and complete tranquility for a completely relaxing vacation, retreat, rehearsal, or wedding party. Located between Florence and Bologna, Dragodena is an excellent rental base for exploratory day trips to both central and northern Italy from Bologna, Modena, Florence, Sienna, and Prato to La Spezia, Pisa, Portofino, Rimini, Verona, and Venice. With 4088 square feet of space (380 square meters), Dragodena is the perfect place for a large group of friends, a family reunion, seminars, rehearsals, cooking classes, for dreaming. It is a refuge for those seeking to be far away from the maddening crowd.
Across the small country lane is Dragodena's Rehearsal/Wedding/Dance/Seminar Hall and Artists residence. Originally the hay barn and cow stalls it has been transformed into a spacious (6m X 12m) hall excellent for theatrical, dance, movement, musical rehearsals, and seminars. It is also an ideal place to hold a wedding reception with room for up to a 100 guests. It is an excellent place to give seminars of almost any kind. Below the hall are the renovated stalls which act as an artists residence. Each of 5 stalls have been turned into a small room. There is a long dining room table, couches, chairs and tables for creative and in-depth discussion. The stalls have a bathroom and a kitchen.
Dragodena's clients can use the private pool located at nearby Agriturismo La Fenice. La Fenice has a bar and a small restaurant so that you can order drinks or food poolside. One can get there on foot or by car. The pool is well appointed with chaise lounges, tables, and chairs. La Fenice requires that you have at least one meal there a day for pool use. It is a great place to be in the hot summer months with the kids or friends and after you can walk home through the woods or by car, passing through the nearby village of Tolè.
Dragodena can also provide, if wanted, an amazing Italian chef. Our chef grew up behind a plow pulled by a horse, not that he's old. He is, however, a most amazing Italian cook. Taught by his grandparents and his mother, our chef is now a treasure trove of authentic Italian recipes using only seasonal ingredients and spices. He specializes in cooking alla bracia, over an open fire. He can show you how to you use Dragodena's unusual indoor wood oven while making the best pizza you've ever had. You can go with him to the markets to buy what will be undoubtably a sumptuous meals.If asked, the chef, will also teach you his recipes and give you lessons so that you can make these rare meals yourself. If you and your friends or family want to eat a most amazing meal every time and never repeated please ask for il cuoco di Dragodena!
During the summer Dragodena has two outside spaces for outdoor dining, or taking in the morning sun. Dinner is usually eaten under the cherry trees on green grass surrounded by an ancient stone wall. On the south side of the house is a place for morning coffee and pastry. Nearby is the outside shower, wonderful on a hot summer day.
Dragodena has a storied past reaching back 600 years. Both a farm house and a small fortress it has seen battle on its fields over the many centuries until WWII when it was requisitioned by the German Army and used as a base. After the war Dragodena was shut up with everything in it until 2007 when it was sold to its present owner, Paul Magid, founder of the world renowned Flying Karamazov Brothers. That it was virtuly untouched for over 60 years is what sets Dragodena apart as the a unique vacation rental property for those who want the true Italian country experience.
