Katrina & Stefan
Things To Do
La Festa del Vino a Riana
The highlight of the Fall in Riana, the village wine festival is an authentic Italian experience. Held in the streets of Riana, there will be handmade food and sweets, wine pouring out of a fountain, and other activities such as a wine-barrel rolling contest. Other activities of the day include an artisan market with handmade and home grown products, and the opportunity to visit the cellars and the interior of some vineyards. This is a one day event that takes place in Riana on the third Sunday of October, the 16th, 2022.
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana
Castelnuovo is considered both the capital and the green heart of the Garfagnana valley! Market day is Thursday at 8 o'clock! Be sure to show up early for parking.
Barga
A hilltop town surrounded by mountains in the Serchio Valley, Barga’s streets are dotted with pastel coloured Renaissance buildings that reveal the Florentine influence dating back to 1341. Indulge yourselves in a charming afternoon exploring the city's extent's before settling in for a live concert within the old heart of the city. Points of Interest: - Church atop the hill -
Lucca
Lucca’s lively & historic core, the Walled City spreads around Piazza Anfiteatro, where cafes and trattorias ring the site of an ancient Roman auditorium. The medieval Basilica of San Frediano is known for its gold mosaic front, and the 14th-century Torre Guinigi is a climbable brick tower offering views over narrow streets lined with bars and boutiques. There is plenty of food, drink, shopping, and sightseeing, and even an option to rent a bike and ride along the top of the wall that surrounds the city.
Grotta Del Vento
Grotto in the Apuane Alps Nature Reserve with stalagmites & small lakes encrusted with crystal.
Pisa
The world-famous Leaning Tower is just one of many noteworthy sights in this compelling city. Education has fuelled the local economy since the 1400s, and students from across Italy compete for places in its elite university. This endows the centre of town with a vibrant cafe and bar scene, balancing an enviable portfolio of well-maintained Romanesque buildings, Gothic churches and Renaissance piazzas with a lively street life dominated by locals rather than tourists – a charm you will definitely not discover if you restrict your visit to Piazza dei Miracoli.
Marina di Pisa
Marina di Pisa is the perfect beach near Pisa to visit! The beach will be mostly empty this time of year, Italians say it's too cold, and tourist season is largely over. The white marble stone beach and sandy shore makes for a lovely afternoon stroll, and private bathing facilities, fresh seafood, and a fresh gelato are readily available to round out your day.
Florence
Cradle of the Renaissance, romantic, enchanting and utterly irresistible, Florence (Firenze) is a place to feast on world-class art and gourmet Tuscan cuisine. Only an hour and a half away from the Garfagnana valley, the city is a must-see.
Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is a string of centuries-old seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline. In each of the 5 towns, colorful houses and vineyards cling to steep terraces, harbors are filled with fishing boats and trattorias turn out seafood specialties along with the Liguria region’s famous sauce, pesto.