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The Local area
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Lunigiana
Lunigiana, the northern corner of Tuscany, is an unspoiled area of breathtaking natural beauty set between the Apennine mountains and the Mediterranean sea. Unknown to the crowds, yet close to Florence, Pisa and The Cinque Terre, this sunlit land of chestnut covered hills crowned by medieval villages is easily accessed by road and air. Here you will enjoy the very best of Italy - wonderful landscapes, good food and a warm Italian welcome.
Lunigiana
links the Gulf of Poets and the coastal province of Liguria
to the west with the Apennines (made famous by Eric Newby's book Love and War in
the Apennines) in the northeast. To the southeast the region is dominated by the
mountains of the Parco Alpi Apuane (from where Michelangelo choose the marble
for his statues). There are sandy beaches at Marinella and Marina di
Massa.
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Lunigiana derives its name
from the Roman port of Luni at the mouth of the river Magra, destroyed by the
Normans. Historic sites are not restricted to roman remains, the Luni figures
date back to 3000 BC, the region is also scattered with castles built by the
Malaspina family and the Brunella fortress of Aulla houses the Lunigiana Museum
of natural History. There are countless natural curiosities such as the caves
near Equi Terme, site of the natural sulphur baths.
There is plenty of walking immediately
available, with a variety of wildlife close by. The meadows at the top of
the mountains are abundant with flowers and heavy with their perfume.
The sea is readily accessible from Marinella, southwards there are shallow, sandy beaches; whilst at Lerici and the Gulf of Poets (where Shelley drowned, Byron swam and D. H. Lawrence meditated) it is rocky. Further on from Lerici you find the Cinque Terre - five famous fishing villages, which are extremely picturesque. It is possible to take a boat from Lerici to the Cinque Terre to really maximize your enjoyment of the scenery. If you prefer swimming in freshwater there are many freshwater rock pools, made by the fast flowing water from melting snow. At Villafranca there is an Olympic sized swimming pool. Sunbathing can always be enjoyed wherever you are on the terrace, by sea, river or pool, although in spring, of course, the temperature is not quite as hot as in the summer.
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For those who
want to immerse themselves in local Italian culture, there is always plenty taking
place, especially in the summer with the village 'sagras', 'festas' and other
celebrations.
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Lunigiana is a veritable paradise for walkers, painters, photographers, and those who enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
Copyright
© 2002 - 2008 2doves.com. All rights reserved.
Revised: June 11, 2009
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