Tosca Bella ~ properties in Tuscany

The Alpi Apuan [Apuan Alps]

An inviting and impressive backdrop to the coast, these craggy peaks, which are now a protected Parco Regioale, hide many attractive villages folded away amongst their chestnut wooded slopes. One example is the lovely village of Stazzema with its trail to the Procinto.

Towns and Cities of Northern Tuscany
Lying at the heart of one of Italy's richest agricultural regions, Lucca is the most graceful of Tuscany's provincial capitals. Surrounded by rennaissance walls and gardens it is a delightful city to spend time in with much of the centre free from traffic and plenty of historical architecture and art. To the east Pistoia is one of the least touristy cities in Tuscany and a quiet well preserved medieval place with a superb Plazza Duomo and many other enjoyable buildings.
Read more about the northern towns and cities of Tuscany here

Garfagnana Valley

The Garfagana is for sure one of Tuscany’s best kept secret’s, when the rest of Tuscany is jammed with people and traffic the Garfagnana is having another quiet and peaceful day thanks to its location in the lush Serchio River valley north of Lucca and Pisa, surrounded by a natural barrier of two mountain ranges, the Apennines and the marble mountains of the Alpi Apuane. One cannot see or hear the noise of the cities, but you can be close enough to experience what they have to offer. Many of the villas and houses we have for sale in Tuscany are centered on this region. Read more about the Garagnana Valley

Eating and Drinking

Tuscany's culinary style is relatively simple but high qulity food washed down with the country's best wines. The huge chargrilled steaks are an example and some specialities fron the north of Tuscany include Zuppa di Faro, a thick soup made from grain and Carretto - roasted mountain goat. There are numerous cheeses, a love of and skill with chocolate and lots of bakeries selling delicious focaccia.

Festivals of Tuscany
Being Italy, there are numerous festivals among which the Lucchese Settembre is a month long programme centering on the candlelit procession in Lucca on 13th September and ranging from Puccini to Jazz. Also in Lucca is the summer festival www.summer-festival.com

In Viareggio on the coast there is a boisterous carnival for four consecutive Sundays in February www.viareggio.ilcarnevale.com
Pistoia has a programme of concerts and events throughout July known as the Luglio Pisoiese which ranges from blues music to medieval jousting.

Hiking and Trekking

There are walks throughout the Alpi Apuane. Altitudes are not too high, below 1900 metres and you are never far from civilisation in the form of an interesting village. Particularly enjoyable is the walk from Stazzema up to the Procinto, a large crag top, with the Refugio Forte dei Marmi serving food on the say down.