'Walking in Pizzorne'
Locally: explore the village of Pariana and continue up to the
Altopiano delle Pizzorne where there are miles of woods and
stunning views in spring to the snowy peaks of Abetone.
Villa Basilica with its impressive basilica and dramatic views
is close at hand as is Collodi (birth place of Pinocchio)
with the Villa Garzoni and gardens.
'The Villa Basilica valley seen from the Pizzorne'
'Door in Villa Basilica'
'Rocky Coast nr la Spezia'
Swimming: there is a string of coastal resorts and sandy bathing beaches (many where you have to pay) from north of Viareggio to Pisa. Rocky coasts start at La Spezia and run north to the Riviera and Genova. Nearer to home there is an excellent swimming pool at the Country Club Hotel on the Lucca to Pescia road about 15 minutes away while 5 minutes walk down a track from the house there are the Biecina cascades where you can sit in the shade.
'Manarola, Cinque Terre'

Pescia has a cathedral, shops and modern flower market and tennis courts while
Montecatini Terme is a very smart spa town.
Barga and Bagni di Lucca are just the other side of the Pizzorne range.
Lucca is worth a whole day, with its walls, monuments and smart shops and cafes.

'Street corner in Pescia'
'Lucca Cathedral'
'Biecina cascades'

'A Walk in the Apuan Alps'

Walking: there are many tracks from the village and house where you can explore the local wooded hills. In the valley below the house, is the beautiful Biecina stream, with rocky waterfalls and an old mill. For more strenuous walking the Apuan Alps and Apennines are an hour away by car and there are well marked walks taking you up to 2,000 metres. Here you will see the quarries from which the world's finest marble is taken but beware the dazzling flanks of these mountains in the heat of the midday sun!

For information about walking see:
Walks from Pariana
'Florence'
Sightseeing: Pisa (with newly reopened LTP) and Florence are less than an hour away by car, or go by train from Pescia (better in the summer). San Gimignano, Volterra, Siena are all accessible for a day trip.
You can even reach Rome, Venice and Ravenna.
'Baptistery, Florence'
Culture:Puccini festival at Viareggio in July/ August. Theatre and concerts at Lucca, Montecatini and Montecarlo (which has a famous old theatre). Village festivals throughout the summer, especially San Lorenzo in Pariana in early August and
Volto Santo at Lucca on the 13th September.

  

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