Villages and Culture
A week to discover Garfagnana
8 days to discover the Tuscan landscape and flavours, between nature and culture
Trip details
Early afternoon arrival in Garfagnana, by own means. Meeting with the guide in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana where the tour starts. Check-In. Accommodation in the reserved rooms. Presentation of the programme by one of our representatives. Typical “Garfagnana” dinner with a tasting of local cuisine. Overnight stay.
Day 2
Lunch in a restaurant. In the morning!
- Borgo a Mozzano visit to admire the Ponte della Maddalena, known as the Devil’s Bridge: one of the most original constructions in all of Tuscany. A beautiful example of medieval architecture, it connects the two banks of the Serchio River and has inspired numerous artists on the legends about its construction.
- The medieval village
Barga, one of the most picturesque villages in Italy
Barga is a medieval town of rare beauty in the centre of the Serchio Valley. It is quietly nestled between the hills of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines and the majestic amphitheatre of the Apuan Alps. The town still retains the typical layout of a medieval village and, safely enclosed within its walls, only lets visitors in through three gates. Renowned for its tranquillity, Barga has recently become home to many artists and painters, especially foreign ones, who exhibit their works in the small art galleries along the town’s streets.
The tour will continue at the Osteria sipping a good wine, for more stories about the “Valley of the Beautiful and the Good”.
- A typical snack [ not included in the package, to be paid directly on site ].
The Merenda della Valle del Buono. Taste the typical products of our valley
Let the cuisine of the Serchio Valley delight your palate with the genuine flavours and aromas of our traditional recipes. Sheep’s milk cheese, sliced meats and spelt cakes, the specialities of our sweet waters ( fishes) . A tasty snack will be presented and served in a typical valley tavern.
In the afternoon!
- In the footsteps of artists of the past. The territory that made the poet burn with passion.
Historical/cultural visit
Fascinating journey through time, which begins with a personal visit to the house (now a museum) and village of the poet Giovanni Pascoli. Breathe in the atmosphere that inspired him to compose his most famous works.
- the Cinta Muraria ( surrounding walls ) and Rocca di Castiglione di Garfagnana.
Medieval centre that has preserved its walls, medieval castle and the two churches of San Michele and San Pietro completely intact.
Dinner. Overnight stay.
Day 3
Free lunch. In the morning!
– The marble quarries
Through the quarries of Michelangelo
The itinerary, availability permitting [ the visit will be authorised on a case-by-case basis, for safety reasons ], begins with a walk along the ancient path leading to the quarry, which is still in operation today. Learn about marble processing techniques inside this impressive natural theatre in the mountain. Learn about the thousand-year history of the quarrymen of the Apuan Alps: where the “white gold” used by Michelangelo himself was extracted. If the above is not possible, an alternative visit to the Lipu Oasis of Campocatino will be proposed: a primitive hollow overlooking the valley. and Relax on the shores of the lake.
In the afternoon!
- the suspension rope bridge and Lake Vagli
When Lake Vagli is emptyed for work maintenance, as if by magic, the ghostly ruins of a ghost town re-emerge.: Fabbriche di Careggine.
Dinner. Overnight stay.
Day 4
Free lunch. [ without guide, transfer to Lucca by own means ]. In the morning! [ BOOK THE GUIDED TOUR EARLY, AND PAY ON THE SITE: the reservation can be made on request and there will be no advance payment, you will pay directly at the time of the guided tour ].
- The city walls
- The city of Lucca: a historic urban treasure
Of ancient origins and already fortified in Roman times, Lucca is today one of the most requested cities of art. A precious whole of monuments saved from historical events thanks to the Renaissance walls, the only entirely walkable wall still present in Europe.
In the afternoon!
- A tour of the villas
- From the court of the Sun King to the hills surrounding Lucca
The places of idleness and hospitality of the rich merchants of Lucca. Gardens designed by floral embroidery and sparkling water features. Monumental facades decorated with statues and festive interiors with original furnishings.
Dinner. Overnight stay.
PLEASE NOTE : Today’s programme is changeable and can also be varied with one of the other itineraries proposed by the tour leader.
Day 5
Free lunch. In the morning!
- From stable to table
- Visit a dairy!
The producer opens the doors of his dairy and shows us the process of milk processing. We sample the different cheeses produced by the producer, accompanied by bread and honey. Possibility of purchasing products.
In the afternoon!
Free time at disposal or excursions to be organised optionally with the guide. We propose [ with supplement ]:
- MTB adventures
- E-bike excursion
A fast and ecological way to explore our territory is on an e-bike, the pedal-assisted bicycle.
Seated on this silent two-wheeler, your guided adventure will begin, through tree-lined ups and downs and breathtaking landscapes.
Dinner. Overnight stay.
Day 6
Lunch in a trattoria. In the morning!
- The kingdom of Ariosto
- Castelnuovo, your entrance to the verdant Garfagnana valley
From the main square, numerous small streets and alleyways branch off, dotted with a variety of shops, perfect for shopping for typical or artisan products.
In the town centre you can also admire wonderful and important monuments, such as St Peter’s Cathedral, the Convent of the Capuchins, the Rocca Ariostesca and the Town Hall. Possibility to buy local products in the shops. Free lunch.
In the afternoon!
- The Wind Cave
- Discover the underground world of the Grotta del Vento
An exciting excursion in the centre of the Natural Park of the Apuan Alps to discover a hidden and fascinating world. Easy paths will allow you to admire a wonderful underground reality: from living and shining stalactites and stalagmites to polychrome flows and crystal-encrusted lakes. Dinner. Overnight stay.
Day 7
In the morning!
- A day in the woods
- Trekking activities
Woods, streams, traces of a sharecropping past, skilled hands working the fields, flocks of sheep.
This is the scenario in which you will find yourself during this hike.
A winding path that crosses and exceeds the boundaries of the imagination.
In the afternoon!
- Between the fortress walls
- Once upon a time there was a castle and… there still is!
A castle perched on a mountain, the green valley at your feet surrounds you at 360°.
Time has stood still in this splendid fortress, which has recently been renovated in every little detail.
A guide in costume will take you back to the Middle Ages.
Dinner. Overnight stay.
Day 8
Check-Out. Departure to return to your destinations.
Details
Travel notes
This programme may be subject to change, both before and during the trip, depending on the weather, the needs of the travellers and the people hosting the group of travellers. All the visits are guaranteed, but they may be subject to change, on site, respect to the order listed above, at “our” discretion, for the sole purpose to ensure the best success of the tour, but without changing the substance of the visits [ The visits may be reversed depending on the opening times of the museums or for technical reasons, but the programme remains unchanged ].
Special requests
When defining and accepting the travel contract, it is necessary to indicate the presence of people requiring special diets or with reduced mobility in order to be able to verify the services and the possibility of assistance.
These are necessary
For all walking tours, you will need hiking boots, a water bottle of at least one litre, a kway or poncho, a backpack of at least 20/30 litres. Spare socks or T-shirt are recommended, as well as food or energy supplements.
Level of difficulty of walking tours
The trip is suitable for people who can walk, not necessarily trained but in good health. It is not suitable for children.
The price includes
- Overnight stay with accommodation in the agreed facility: hotel/farm/ B&B/holiday house
- Half board: breakfast and dinner in a restaurant, or hotel
- Lunches indicated in the programme
- Drinks at meals
- Guided tours and excursions as provided in the programme
- Tastings, provided for in the programme
- Entrances, if included in the programme
- Train tickets, provided for in the programme
- Taxes and service charges
- One Assistant/Companion for the duration of the tour
Not included
- Transfers to/from places of residence
- Transfers during the tour
- Transfers to/from train stations
- Meals not mentioned or defined as free
- Optional visits and excursions
- Entrances not specified
- Medical and baggage insurance and cancellation insurance
- Optional insurance
- Local tourist taxes, where applicable
- Tips and extras of any kind and of a personal nature
- Anything not expressly indicated under "The price includes".
Methods of payment
DEPOSIT: € ___, within 7 days of registration
BALANCE: no later than 21 days before the date of departure: € ___, by ___________
Cancellation
CANCELLATION BY THE TRAVELLER:
FOR ANY VOLUNTARY CANCELLATIONS THE FOLLOWING PENALTIES WILL APPLY:
- CANCELLATIONS UP TO 15 DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE: 50% PENALTY
CANCELLATIONS FROM 14 DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE: 100% CANCELLATION FEE
CANCELLATION WITHOUT PENALTY: within ___________
Price
FROM
920 €
Book A Holiday Idea
TOUR 8 Days/7 Nights
DEPARTURES
Period 01.05.2021 / 15.10.2021
- Dates on request
SELECTED STRUCTURE
- To be selected
SUPPLEMENTS
- Single room for the whole tour: € 140 [on request].
- Tourist tax is not included in the rates and will be paid directly on site
REDUCTIONS
- Third bed for adults: on request
- Children sharing a room with two adults: on request
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