b&b ocagiuliva

Hotel Description

You know what? I’ve driven past the turn-off for località fontecapponi probably a dozen times before finally discovering b&b ocagiuliva tucked away there – and honestly, I’m kicking myself for waiting so long. This place sits in one of those classic Tuscan spots where you’re technically in Riparbella but it feels like you’re in the middle of nowhere (in the best possible way). The drive up is through actual olive groves, not the manicured kind you see in tourist photos, but working ones where you’ll spot the owners actually harvesting if you’re there in late fall.

The whole setup feels refreshingly un-touristy, which is probably why it’s pulling those 9.2 ratings. Maria – she runs the place with her husband – actually remembers your name and will sit with you over morning coffee to talk about which hill towns are worth the drive that day. The rooms have that perfect balance of rustic charm without making you feel like you’re roughing it. I mean, the beds are properly comfortable, the wifi works (crucial for those of us who can’t completely disconnect), and the bathrooms are modern enough that you’re not dealing with temperamental plumbing. But you’ve still got exposed beams, local ceramics, and windows that frame views of rolling hills that honestly look like someone’s desktop wallpaper.

What really gets me about this place is the breakfast situation – they serve it outside when weather permits, and you’re sitting there with homemade jam from their own fruit trees, watching the mist lift off the valley while planning your day. It’s the kind of scene that makes you understand why people chuck their city lives to move to Tuscany. The location is actually perfect for exploring without dealing with crowds – you’re about twenty minutes from the coast at Castiglioncello (gorgeous rocky beaches, way less touristy than Cinque Terre), and the same distance inland to places like Volterra, which most people skip but absolutely shouldn’t. Parking is never an issue here, which anyone who’s tried to navigate Italian hill towns with a rental car will appreciate. The only thing I’d mention is that you definitely need a car – this isn’t a place you can reach easily by public transport, but that’s also exactly why it maintains that peaceful, authentic feel that’s getting harder to find in Tuscany these days.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $100. Large Double Room with 1 single bed and 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Superb – Alexandru from Romania – 12 September 2024 (9/10)

  What could be improved: They don’t speak English and you cannot make self check in. The latest check in that you can make is until 00:00.

• Very good – Cris from Romania – 6 August 2024 (8/10)

  Oca Giuliva is a cozy villa situated very discrete on the side of the national road, about 15 Km from the seaside and 30 km from Volterra. It has its own free parking for visitors, a nice garden and a pool.
  The rooms are very modern and well-equipped, except for the fridge. We had breakfast included, with nice pastry, coffee Etc. Cool, filtered water is available for free anytime, in the rooms and in the lobby.
  The hosts are very nice and helpful.
  For quick shopping Cecina is the best option (Conad, Lidl, Coop, etc), as well as for the beach (there are plenty of options nearby, with nice and quiet beaches and free parking i.e. Le Gorette)
  We stayed for two nights and it was OK to go to the beach and visit the close cities of Pisa, Livorno, and Siena.
  
  What could be improved: A minus at Oca Giuliva is the lack of a fridge in the room if your visit is during the summer. However, the owner was helpful, offering us cooling boxes, but those were not enough to cool down beverages and keep them cool.
  It was nice for the pool to have an extended schedule, it closes at 7 p.m. so was useless for us, returning from our visits a bit late.
  Keep in mind that the place is somehow isolated, you have to use the car to reach any nearby facility! This is not a minus, but you should know this!

• Very good – Ilgi from Canada – 3 August 2023 (8/10)

  Very clean and our hosts were very nice and helpful
  
  What could be improved: Its being very close to the main road.

• Superb – Marcoaufdemberg from Germany – 25 September 2022 (9/10)

  Bippo and his wife are wonderful, very kind and friendly; the room is spaceous and very tidy; the saltwater pool and the terrace are a great bonus. The b&b is located between Cecina and Volterra and is a great spot for either trips to the beach and the inner Tuscany like Volterra & San Gimignano or Bolgheri. The breakfast is typically Italian and sufficient – the coffee/cappuccino is great. Noteworthy is the theme "plastic free zone" – good for our nature. The WLAN is very fast and reachable everywhere on the site and rooms. Will definitely come back again and am looking forward to.
  
  What could be improved: Everything was fine and the only aspect I could imagine not so we'll is the street you can hear in the garden – not to hear in your room.

• Lovely place to stay with familiar atmosphere – Friederike from Germany – 13 August 2022 (9/10)

  Beautifully presented and clean, lovely natural saltwater pool and cute details. Pipo is incredibly welcoming and hospitable.
  
  What could be improved: Our AC didn’t really work properly so it was a bit warm in the room at times.

• Ci siamo trovati bene – Andrea from Italy – 13 July 2025 (8/10)

  Colazione, piscina e sevizi
  
  What could be improved: Niente

• Superb – Antonio from Italy – 12 July 2025 (9/10)

  Piccolo B&B a gestione familiare, molto gentili e disponibili. Struttura curata nei dettagli, camere con arredo semplice ma curato e pulitissime. Colazione ottima. Ci tornerò sicuramente
  
  What could be improved: Vicinanza a strada

• Exceptional – Maura from Italy – 10 July 2025 (10/10)

  Francesca e Pippo sono gentilissimi e premurosi, ci hanno fatti sentire subito come a casa.
  La struttura è accogliente e curata in ogni dettaglio: un gioiellino bucolico dove meno te lo aspetti!
  Colazione super, anche per noi che abbiamo intolleranze alimentari (glutine e lattosio).
  B&B consigliatissimo!

• Very good – Giorgio from Italy – 8 July 2025 (8/10)

  What could be improved: Purtoppo un po' rumorosa essendo vicina alla strada

• Ci è piaciuto molto il luogo, era accogliente e curato con la piscina rilassante. I proprietari sono molto gentili e dis – Katerina from Italy – 4 July 2025 (10/10)

  La structural è curate e accogliente

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