Culture and History:
The region is scattered with castles built by the Malaspina family, the Brunella fortress of Aulla houses the Lunigiana Museum of natural History. Genoa; European capital of culture for 2004 is 1hr drive and well worth a visit. Florence is 1.5hrs drive or you can take the train from Pontremoli. Lucca 1hr drive a delightful city; hire a bike and pedal around the city walls. Parma or Genoa are both 1hr away for the opera.
Sports and Leisure nearby:
There are sandy beaches at Marinella and Marina di Massa. There is an excellent Open air Olympic size swimming pool in Villafranca (20min) with high diving board, water fountains and children's pools. If you prefer swimming in freshwater there are many freshwater rock pools, made by the fast flowing water from melting snow. 'Ranch La Collina' is the local equestrian centre (10 min) what better way to explore and discover this spectacular landscape than from the back of a horse? Alternatively you can hire quad bikes to explore the old tracks and trails. There is a Tennis club in Villafranca with indoor and outdoor courts. The nearest Ski resort is Zeri half an hours drive. Nearest Golf coarse is at Lerici 45min. Botanical gardens 30min. Mountain and forest walks right outside your door. The high meadows are abundant with flowers and heavy with their perfume. Parma is 1hr away for the nearest Seria A football team.
Lunigiana and Liguria:
Lunigiana unknown to the crowds, yet close to Florence, Pisa and the Cinque Terre, in this sunlit land of chestnut covered hills crowned by medieval villages you will enjoy the very best of Italy - wonderful landscapes, good food and a warm Italian welcome, the northern corner of Tuscany, an unspoiled area of breathtaking natural beauty set between the Apennine mountains and the Mediterranean sea.
Lunigiana links the Gulf of Poets(where Shelley drowned, Byron swam and D. H. Lawrence meditated on his next book) and the coastal province of Liguria. The region is dominated by the mountains of the Parco Alpi Apuane (from where Michelangelo choose the marble for his statues). The marble quarries 45min by car are open to visitors. There are countless natural curiosities such as the caves near Equi Terme, site of the thermal sulphur baths. Cinque Terra are five famous fishing villages, we recommend you take the boat from Lerici or La Spezi to fully appreciate this extremely picturesque area.
