Francesca & Alexander
Things To Do
Barga
A 15/20 minute drive away is the beautiful mediaeval town where Francesca's Great Grandmother was from. Barga has wonderful architecture, a Duomo, very good restaurants, and markets under the stars. Every August they host a Barga Jazz Festival.
Lucca
A 50 minute drive away is the fully walled mediaeval city of Lucca - try cycling around the walls, meandering in shady narrow streets and people watching in the Grand Piazzas while enjoying a drink or a gelato!
Lago di Vagli
30 minutes away is the lake of Vagli (with its hidden village submerged by the water) for an afternoon drive. There is also a zip line for any adrenaline junkies.
La Spezia
Cinque Terre (five lands) is a string of five ancient fishing villages perched high on the Italian Riviera. There are hiking links between each town or you can get a train or boat between the villages. Just under 2 hours drive away.
Pisa
1 Hour and 15 minutes away is Pisa, famous for its leaning tower. The airport is only 4km away from the centre so worth exploring if you are flying in or out of Pisa. There is also excellent train links from here so if you are planning on exploring Italy before or after it is worth heading in.
Hiking Routes
We're in the Apuan Alps where there are hundreds of hiking routes with amazing scenery if you fancy some fitness and some views
Verrucole
25 minute drive away is the local Fortress at Verrucole, with stunning views and some interactive activities for the children. Close to the fortress is the Buffardello tree climbing and zip park (for both adults and children) where you can take a picnic or BBQ and have some time in the cool forest.
Grotta del Vento
Grotto Del Vento is a cave 30 minutes away which has 3 tours of 1 hour, 2 hours or 3 hours. The wind moves depending on the atmospheric pressure on the surface and inside the cave. During the summer, the temperature inside the grotto is a constant 10.7C, and the wind barrels out of the entrances.
Isola Santa
Isola Santa, 30 minutes drive from Ceserana, an almost abandoned village with a mix of crumbling streets and renovated buildings as well as an old church. There is also a nice restaurant on a terrace overlooking the lake. The lake is surrounded by mountains and is officially the greenest place on earth (I made that up.) You can walk down by the lake or if it is a hot day go for a swim. The water is cold but wonderfully clean and you do get a nice view from the middle of the lake too. From here you can also visit an abandoned “Henraux” Marble Quarry.
Florence
A little further away (2 hour drive) but worth a visit is Florence, Tuscany's capital, home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture.