Tuscany
The medieval city of Lucca is a perfect little walled town unspoiled by tourism, with marble-paved streets, beautiful churches, an incredible market and the most delicious cafes and stalls selling pizza and polenta. Amongst many fiestas, celebrations and cultural events, on the third weekend of every month there is an expansive, outdoor antiques market centred around Piazza San Giusto. Everything about this charming small city delights the visitor. One of the great attractions is to walk along the top of the Renaissance-era walls which completely surround the city.
The surrounding countryside is exceptionally beautiful and quite different from other parts of Tuscany. Spectacular mountains, deep river valleys and intensely rich forest areas.
In winter there is snow skiing in the mountains to the north, and in the summer there are the beach resorts of Viareggio and the the renowned beachside glamour of Forte Dei Marmi.
In the far northern area of this Tuscan Region there lies a valley, rich in history and traditions, that is very close to famous and important historical centres such as Lucca, Pisa and Florence. This valley, created by the Serchio River and its tributaries, is a chest full of natural treasures enclosed between the chain of the Apuan Alps and the Tuscan-Emilian Appennines. Enjoy staying in a stunning Palazzo or converted 18th century farmhouse near Castelnuovo, which is the principal town and the heart of the green Garfagnana area. This is a territory that constitutes the northern part of the valley of the Serchio River, which runs between the mountain walls of the Apuan Alps and the Appenines. The town is 40 km from both Lucca and the Versilia coast. The ancient outlying villages of Palleroso, Monterotondo, Antisciana, Gragnanella, Cerretoli, Colle and Rontano are beautifully situated and accessible on country paths through green woodland. A walk to these villages allows visitors to be in contact with nature and at the same time to discover the traditional daily rhythms of an agricultural people and to admire their rural architecture.