There are many beautiful walks directly from outside the Villa. Simply wander down the hill to enjoy the best iced coffee in the whole of Tuscany* or take a stroll over to the next hill-top for lunch, or over to another next hill-top to see the stunning Castel d’Aquila. Alternatively mooch around the local roads and through the fields towards the next village of Casciana and you may find roadside treasures of figs, apricots, wild herbs.
There was once a dense network of paths for getting around the local area with some of the abandoned footpaths and lanes now finally being opened up and brought back to life. Villa Francini is keen to support this project.
For detailed itinerary suggestions on some local walks do take a look at the charming website Lunigiana Wending. Run by lovely local couple Nigel and Elena, it lists a number of tried and tested walks, along with information about the villages in Lunigiana and some very beautiful photographs they have taken of local flora and fauna, just to whet your appetite.
There are very well organised walks run by a local volunteer group taking place every few weeks on a Sunday, each one exploring a different part of the area. Called “Mangialonga” these 10-12km walks are generally suitable for the whole family and are very popular with locals and visitors alike. The wonderful bonus with these walks is that they actually go from one food points to another. All food is typical of that village or area and featuring locally grown food and drink to keep up the spirits and your energy.
If you would still like something a little more adventurous then a local guide can be hired to take you all over this stunning area, along rivers, up and down mountains and beautiful scenery all the way for a half-day, full day or make your own mini-walking-retreat and book a guide for a few hours every day that you’re staying here.
*100% of well-travelled coffee-aficionado tasters can’t be wrong…
All of these activities will be arranged individually for you. Some activities can be held at the Villa, whereas some you will need to travel to. Prices are dependant on season, duration, number of participants, whether just a one-off session or an hour or more every day.
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