Things to do
The village is in the perfect location from which to explore the delights of Tuscany.

Going North!
The Devils Bridge is a pretty beauty spot in the next village with an interesting legend and is an ideal photo opportunity.

Also in Borgo a Mozzano there is a public swimming pool and tennis courts while a bit further away in Bagni di Lucca there are also tennis courts and a larger pool but the town is most famous for it's spas, although the River Lima offers an ice-cold swim as well!

Further north there are pretty hilltop towns like Barga and the wild scenery of the Garfagnana National Park, which attracts ramblers, trekkers and riders as well as hang gliding enthusiasts. In the centre of the Park is The Grotta Del Vento or Wind Cave where you can take special tours to admire the many wonders of the underground world.

About an hour away there is the main ski resort of Abetone where there are ski runs available with different degrees of difficulty. From the main square you can hire equipment and book lessons at the ski schools, which speak good English.

Going South!
A short drive away is the medieval town of Lucca, which can also be reached by bus or train. Lucca is famous for it's preserved 30m wide city walls where you can walk or hire bikes from the Tourist Office and get amazing views of the city. There are many famous artworks in the 99 churches within the city walls and there are gardens to see and towers to climb, but don't forget the shopping! Apart from the exclusive boutiques there are a lot of interesting specialist shops.

Further south to Lucca is Pisa, famous for it's leaning tower, which is well worth a visit. It stands in the Campo dei Miracoli, or Field of Miracles. The square also includes the Duomo, Battistero and a medieval cemetery.

The Italian Riviera coast line includes the lively beach resorts of Forte dei Marmi with it's wide beaches and elegant bathing establishments, and Viareggio, a bustling seaside town with lots of nightlife and a marina of exclusive leisure craft.

Inland is the Torre del Lago where the famous Puccini concerts are held every August.

Lucca


Villa Mansi

Further Afield
About 40 minutes away is the beautiful city of Florence with its stunning architecture including the amazing Duomo with its green, white and pink marble exterior. Window shopping is a must on the Ponte Vecchio with the glittering row of gold jewellery shops.

A visit to Florence is not complete without admiring the artwork on show here, in the Uffizzi Gallery or the L'Accademia, or, just stroll around the Piazza della Signoria to see a copy of Michelangelo's David.

South of Florence there is the Volterra region with interesting places such as San Gimignano and Siena. And for those who like to venture further we recommend an overnight stay on the Island of Elba , where after a 2 hour drive to Piombino a ferry can be caught to take you to this beautiful Island.

To the north of Tuscany about 90 minutes away there is the Cinque Terre , these are 5 quaint villages on the coast which are connected by cliff top paths with spectacular scenery and lovely beaches.

There are many Villas in and around Lucca open to the public that offer a tranquil stroll to admire the ancient frescos and beautiful gardens. The garden and butterfly house at Collodi is especially worth a visit.

Of course there are a lot of festivals and events throughout the year including classical concerts held in Luca each weekend and a music festival every June, which attracts popular artists like Simply Red etc.

Wine and olive oil festivals are well advertised and the Tourist Office on the main road at Borgo a Mozzano can fill you in with the details and the whereabouts of internet cafes and restaurants etc.

I cannot leave this section without mentioning the many restaurants that serve good quality, fresh Italian cuisine, traditional to the area. There are 15 restaurants within a 15 minute drive of the house, with more in Lucca and the main towns. There is a wide variety to suit all pockets in beautiful settings and busy piazzas.

So relax on a sunny terrace with a glass of wine and enjoy your holiday.

Salute!!