The Garfagnana

Nestled between the ridge of the Apennines to the North-East and the Alpi Apuane mountains to the West, the Garfagnana is a valley of beautiful walks, historic towns and delicious food. The Garfagnana offers a landscape of striking mountains and dense woodland, suitable for hiking, walking and mountain biking. You will be surrounded by sweet chestnut trees and will see many metati– the tiny stone houses used to smoke the sweet chestnuts before they are ground to flour for the staple of this part of north-west Tuscany. If you eat a hearty zuppa di farro together with a sausage of cinghiale (the wild boar that roam the region) you will get an appreciation of the rustic life of this area that is culturally distinct from the rest of Tuscany.  Alongside the numerous charming villages that await discovery, the historic town of Lucca is worth a visit for a cycle along the tops of the medieval city walls. Other day trips include the impressive Grotta Del Vento (Wind Cave), the fortress at Verrucole and the laid-back jazz festival at Barga.