1997 · The decision
Leaving city life behind and taking a chance on an old farmhouse in the Ligurian countryside.
Since 1997 · Calice al Cornoviglio
The story of Agriturismo I Due Ghiri: in the Ligurian hills since 1997
It all began in 1997 with an old stone farmhouse in the hills of the Val di Vara. We were looking for a place where we could change pace, live closer to nature and create simple, personal hospitality away from mass tourism.
A project begun in 1997An old stone farmhouseFamily hospitality in the Val di Vara
The first steps
A quiet farmhouse, the Ligurian hills and the idea of changing our lives.
In 1997 we found an old country house in Calice al Cornoviglio, inland from La Spezia. It needed restoring and was surrounded by woods, olive trees and silence. We fell in love with it immediately.
The Cinque Terre, La Spezia and the Gulf of Poets were close enough to imagine a place open to travellers, while up here in the hills the calm of rural life was still intact. We decided this would become our life project.
A story in four steps
From the decision in 1997 to our first guests
The restoration
Strengthening the walls, repairing the roof and bringing the original stone, terracotta floors and spaces back to life.
The two dormice
During the work, two small dormice appeared from the old walls. That encounter gave the agriturismo its name.
Our first guests
Opening the doors, sharing the table and realising that hospitality would become the heart of everything.
The old farmhouse
Before the rooms and dinners there were stone walls, dust and a great deal of work.
The house needed extensive restoration. The work took time and required energy, patience and a determination to preserve the rural character of the building.
Stone by stone, we restored walls, terracotta floors and vaulted ceilings. At the same time we were learning the land: pruning olive trees, working the garden, cutting firewood and looking after the animals.
During the work, two small dormice appeared from the old walls. That encounter gave the agriturismo its name.
Why “I Due Ghiri”
The name came during the restoration, before the agriturismo had even opened.
Two small dormice came out from the old walls and watched us while we worked. In a way, they were the original residents of the house. It felt like the perfect sign: simple, connected with the woods and impossible to forget.
The placeA farmhouse surrounded by woodland
The encounterTwo dormice during the restoration
The nameAgriturismo I Due Ghiri
The first dinners
Sharing the table shaped the way we welcome people.
When our first travellers arrived, we welcomed them in the old cellar, which had become a dining room. Homemade pesto, freshly baked bread and wine from the nearby hills: around one table, strangers began talking like old friends.
Food and conviviality have remained central ever since. For us, hospitality means making people feel at home, without formality, and sharing the place where we live rather than simply providing a room.
I Due Ghiri today
The story continues in the same place, with the same connection to the countryside.
Today I Due Ghiri brings together guest rooms, a 35-hectare organic farm, Ligurian home cooking and country life. The project has grown, but the original idea is unchanged: to offer an authentic place where people can slow down.
The Val di Vara lets us live in the green countryside while remaining a practical base for La Spezia, the Gulf of Poets and the Cinque Terre. In the evening, guests return to the cooler hills and the quiet of the countryside.
Discover our farmExplore from here
The coast and villages are close, but you come home to the countryside
Cinque Terre
A day on the coast
See how to organise a visit to the Cinque Terre villages while staying at I Due Ghiri.
Discover the Cinque Terre →Gulf of PoetsVillages, sea and scenery
Lerici, Portovenere and the gulf are among the most rewarding day trips during a stay.
Discover the Gulf of Poets →La SpeziaYour gateway to the coast
The city is the natural hub for trains, boats and itineraries along the Ligurian coast.
Discover La Spezia →Frequently asked questions
The I Due Ghiri story in brief
Answers to the most common questions about how the agriturismo began.
When was Agriturismo I Due Ghiri founded?
The project began in 1997, when we chose an old farmhouse in Calice al Cornoviglio and started restoring it.
Why is the agriturismo called I Due Ghiri?
During the restoration, two small dormice appeared from the old walls of the house. The encounter stayed with us and became the name of the agriturismo.
Where is I Due Ghiri?
In Calice al Cornoviglio, in the Val di Vara, inland from La Spezia and well placed for exploring eastern Liguria.
What defines I Due Ghiri today?
Guest rooms, a 35-hectare organic farm, Ligurian home cooking and family hospitality rooted in real country life.
Is I Due Ghiri a good base for visiting the Cinque Terre?
Yes. The agriturismo is inland, making it possible to combine days on the coast with the quieter atmosphere of the Val di Vara.
Become part of our story
Would you like to experience I Due Ghiri for yourself?
Choose your dates and contact us to check availability. We look forward to welcoming you to the Val di Vara for countryside, food and days spent exploring eastern Liguria.