Cinque Terre
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Lunigiana sits between the Ligurian Coast, the Apuan Alps
and the Tirrenean sea. It links the steep coastline of Portovenere
and Le Cinque Terre to the sandy beaches of La Versilia and
the spectacular peaks of the Appenines above.
Lunigiana takes its name from the city of Luni, founded by
the Romans in 177 BC. It is a land to travel over, to experience
and to taste. The area has all the “ingredients”
to spend a peaceful and relaxing holiday.
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Castles and walled villages, churches, medieval hamlets and noble
residences follow one another in a tour between history and hospitality:
museums, thermal waters (Equi Terme), prehistoric caves (Grotte
di Equi), trekking and horse-back ways. Moreover the folklore, traditions,
the cuisine and local handicraft never cease surprising.
Bagnone Village |
Since the Roman times a network of roads spread from Luni
and the seaside to cross the Appennines and reach the flat
and fertile land of Pianura Padana. Over the centuries many
fortifications have been built, from watch towers to castles,
around some of the medieval towns of the region. Now, you
can enjoy and visit them.
Bagnone is a lovely medieval town only few minutes from Iera
(6Km). The castle and the characteristic round tower, dated
back to the 14th century, are located in the upper side of
the ‘borgo’. The village is beside the river and
under its arcade you can find booksellers, tailors and delicatessen
shops. |
Other famous castles and towers well worth visiting nearby are
the Castello Malaspina in Fosdinovo, Castello della Verrucola in
Fivizzano, the Fortezza della Brunella in Aulla.
| Taking the road towards the seaside you will find the charming
town of Torre del Lago, sheltered between the Lake of Massaciucoli
and the Tirrenean sea. Since 1930 the town offers a popular
outdoor opera season (summer months only) dedicated to Giacomo
Puccini. It is strongly recommended to the lyric enthusiasts. |
Torre del Lago |
Viareggio |
Continuing on the road towards the sea you will arrive at
the sandy coastline of ‘La Versilia’ with its elegant
seaside towns of Viareggio, Pietrasanta and Forte dei Marmi,
popular with the Northern Italian wealthy society, which comes
here in the summer months to enjoy the sandy beaches and the
elegant boutiques. |
Portovenere |
The Ligurian coast with its unique and picturesque fishing
villages is just 40km away. You can drive to La Spezia, a charming
port with an interesting naval museum and a lovely pedestrian
shopping area, and then hop on the regular ferry to reach Portovenere,
Le Cinque Terre (30 minutes crossing) and Portofino (1 hour
crossing) . The sunny hilltops filled with vineyards are a wonderful
backdrop to the clear waters of the sea where you can enjoy
fishing, diving, windsurfing and other watersports. |
Lunigiana |
Tower of Pisa
The rest of the wonderful Tuscany region is a short drive on the
motorway: Pisa (90 Km), Florence (150 Km), Lucca (90Km), Siena (210km)
and Pistoia (130 Km). During the day you can take a stroll in ‘Piazza
dei Miracoli’ in Pisa or walk the ancient walls of Lucca or
visit one of the many galleries in Florence and then retreat for
the evening to the peaceful surroundings of Iera and enjoy a glass
of wine in your private sun terrace.
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