They are a less well known and fascinating area with excellent walks, great restaurants and villages high up on the slopes. The two ranges are the Apuan Alps, formed nearly entirely of white Carrara marble, and the Apennines, a range that runs down Italy’s backbone, separating the west from the east. We have properties in the 2 main areas, the Garfagnana close to Lucca and the Lunigiana further north and they are proving very popular.

Garfagnana

Mountainous and steep, this area and its early inhabitants gave the Romans a good run for their money over 2000 years ago; the Roman empire spent more on trying to conquer the area than they ever got back in revenues. Now it is an area growing in popularity as people discover the variety of landscapes and activities it offers; with mountains just shy of 2000 metres, the walking, climbing, birdwatching, caving and even skiing are excellent. The main valley is formed by the gap between the Apuan Alps and the Apennines, with the river Serchio running along the bottom.