Exploring Tuscany: from the sea to the Apuan Alps

An itinerary exploring nature and charming villages in Versilia, Garfagnana, and Lucca

We propose an itinerary that, starting from the Petit Hotel, will take you up to the Apuan Alps to Seravezza, Stazzema, Levigliani, to the Passo del Cipollaio, from where you will descend and pass through Isola Santa, Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, and Barga to Lucca and then return home.

la mappa per un itinerario da Petit Hotel a Isola Santa Barga e Lucca

This excursion is perfect for those who love unspoiled nature and quaint villages, as well as the flavors of rural tradition. Suitable for families with children and couples seeking peace and quiet, it is ideal to be traveled in the summer or spring, when nature is in full bloom, the forests are fresh and full of life, and the paths are ready to be explored.

  • una vista sul lago di isolasanta e sui boschi con i tipici colori autunnali
  • una vista sul lago di isolasanta e sui boschi con i tipici colori autunnali
  • una vista sul lago di isolasanta e sui boschi con i tipici colori autunnali
  • vista del algo di isolasanata e delle montagne intorno
  • Isolasanta ed il lago, i boschi e le vette delle Alpi Apuane
  • una vista sul lago di isolasanta e sui boschi con i tipici colori autunnali
  • una vista sul lago di isolasanta e sui boschi con i tipici colori autunnali

Starting from the Lido di Camaiore, it is possible to reach two places of great beauty: Pietrasanta and then Seravezza. In the town of Seravezza, on the right, there is the Villa Medicea, once a summer residence of the Medici family and now home to the Museum of Work and Popular Traditions of the Historical Versilia. The museum exhibits hundreds of objects that tell the typical working activities of the area in the Medici era. Continuing the journey, on the left, there is a fork for Levignani, which offers the opportunity to visit the fascinating Antro del Corchia: with 53 km of galleries and wells, it is considered the largest national hypogeal karst complex.

la passerella all'interno delle grotte dell'Antro del Corchia, un percorso turistico da scoprire

The Regional Park of the Apuan Alps is becoming increasingly wild, the road remains lively and winding enough to the narrow Cipollaio tunnel. Going down you will reach Isola Santa, where you will find a dam and an artificial lake that reflect the beauty of the historic village. Isola Santa was a place of refuge for travelers crossing the Apuan Alps through the Mosceta Foce, a communication route between Versilia and Garfagnana. The church of San Jacopo, once a hospital for pilgrims (1260). Isola Santa is one of the most charming and romantic villages in Tuscany: the country seems to sprout directly from the water. It is the ideal place for a picnic surrounded by nature, among the ruins of the village that is still uninhabited for half.

una vista dei tetti di Barga e delle montagne sullo sfondo

The Garfagnana is a region rich in history and natural beauty, located between the provinces of Lucca, Versilia and Lunigiana. Here, water is abundant and creates canyons, lakes and natural caves. Continuing the journey, you reach Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, a fortified village that reached its peak under the rule of the Este family, as evidenced by the medieval festival held in August.

una vista dall'alto di Barga con le montagne sullo sfondo

Let’s take some time to explore Barga, an enchanting medieval village with views of the Apuan Alps. Let’s walk through its ancient alleyways and visit the Cathedral, built before the year 1000, from which we can admire a unique view of the valley and mountains. We can’t miss the opportunity to taste a dinner based on local products. Then we continue towards Lucca along the Serchio Valley road, passing through Borgo a Mozzano where we stop to admire the Devil’s Bridge, an enchanting legendary construction built by Satan himself. With its large semicircular arch and three smaller arches, it is one of the most original bridges in Italy and is worth a visit. Our tour ends with a visit to Lucca and then a return to Quiesa and Massarosa and back home to the Lido.

il Pinte del Diavolo illuminato di notte