Explore Tuscany
We chose this house at it’s central to so many places worth visiting, from Barga on your doorstep, to Florence and Cinque Terre in easy reach. Below we’ll list the various places with some ideas of what to see and how long it takes.
Viareggio: 19 miles as the crow flies, but allow a couple of hours by car.
The seaside town is truly beautiful with architecture and there’s plenty to do, including many posh shops & restaurants, which is a haven for any seafood lovers. There’s plenty of private beaches as well as some free areas, and it makes a nice stop over with some great hotels if you want to extend the break.
Monte Forato: Visible from parts of Barga.“Forato” means with a hole – you can see why this mountain earned its name. Perhaps one for a drive by unless you’re a keen mountaineer.
Ponte della Maddalena: is a bridge crossing the Serchio river near the town of Borgo a Mozzano which is only a few miles down the road from Barga
Castelnuovo: this is a very picturesque village just a few miles away from Barga. They have a weekend market which takes over the town square an accompanying roads.
Florence: 43 miles as the crow flies, but allow a couple of hours by car. There is also a train from Barga to Pisa and on to Florence.
Probably one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with its large Duomo Cathedral, the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge, the Michelangelo statue of David, and lots more – it's an absolute must.
Livorno: 30 miles as the crow flies, and about two hours by car. There is also a train service which goes through Pisa.
Lucca: 16 miles as the crow flies, but allow about 45 mins by car.
Believed to be one of the oldest cities in Italy dating back circa 300bc, it is a fortified (walled) city enclosing the typical Italian architecture, including the towers showing a family’s wealth, and the plaza at the heart of the city which was the amphitheatre, apparently used by the gladiators when putting on a show. This hub is now a vibrant tourist spot which homes some very good restaurants with dining in the open – how very pleasant!
Cinque Terre: 38 miles as the crow flies, but allow a few hours by car. There is a train from Barga to Cinque Terre but we’ve never tried it.
A world heritage site of stunning beauty. Cinque Terre translates as five lands, and is five villages along some of the most beautiful coastline. There’s shallow waters to paddle in alongside the fishing boats moored, and the scenery is set with the historic pastel coloured properties climbing the mountainous terrain. Plenty of restaurants to cater for all tastes – well worth the trek, but some of the roads nearby can be slow and awkward.
Pisa: 25 miles as the crow flies, and about an hour and a half by car. There is also a train directly between the two cities.
Famous for its leaning tower, it’s a must see. Did you know it started leaning before they finished building it. You would have thought they’d stop building?! But we’re glad they didn’t. There’s plenty of restaurants within the walled city, but be careful not to drive to close as the inner parts of the city are protected from foreign traffic.
