Viewing Tuscany & Florence
Features
Essence
Time Line
Peace & Quiet
* Alpi Apuane
* Chianti
* Monte Amiata
Famous People
The Apuan Alps contain Tuscany's most spectacular scenery, forming a jagged crest of mountains above the Versilian coast north of Pisa and Lucca. Marble mines streak their western flanks, the source for centuries of stone which has served sculptors from Michelangelo to Henry Moore. On their eastern borders, chestnut-covered slopes fall away to the Garfagnana, a dulcet valley centred on the pleasant little towns of Barga and Caselnuovo (Barga, in particular, is well worth visiting for its lovely cathedral). Well-marked trails criss-cross the slopes, wending through woods or cresting the panoramic and craggy summit ridges. Excellent walking maps of the region are widely available, making it easy to undertake light strolls or proper hikes. Stazzema and Levigliani make good departure points in the west; late May is the best time to see the area's renowned spring flowers. Driving is also a delight, the excellent folk museum in San Pellegrino in Alpe (16km northeast of Castelnuovo) being a particularly good target. The mountains have protected park status, and are earmarked for future national park designation.
| COUNTRY |
| Italy |
| REGION |
| Tuscany & Florence
|
| Viewing |
| Top Ten |
| What To See |
| Where To ... |
| Practical Matters |
| CITIES |
| Rome |
| Florence |
| Naples |
| Venice |
| MAPS |
| World |
| Europe |
| TRAVEL BOOK |
 |