The Versilia territory covers an area of about 160 square kilometres on the North-Western Tuscan coast and includes the municipalities of Forte dei Marmi, Camaiore, Massarosa, Pietrasanta, Seravezza, Stazzema and Viareggio. The area has always had a natural tourist vocation as balneotheraphy treatments started here during the second half of 19th century with the building of the first bathing establishments. A traditional destination for family vacations, Versilia is in a postion to offer enjoyable and relaxing holidays with its 20 km of safe beches and the vast green spaces of the pine woods. The area is an important base to reach major Tuscan art cities such as Lucca, Pisa, Florence, Siena, San Gimignano and Volterra, reachable in a reasonably short time.
It is the most recent municipality, having been funded in 1914. Its territory borders Marina di Pietrasanta in the south and stretches up to Cinquale in the northern part. The modern area is built around its small historic centre near the Fort, dating from 1782. Today, its pier stretching out into the sea for about 100 meters, is frequented by strollers and fishermen but in the past was used for transporting marble from the Apuan Mountains. On clear days a breathtaking scenery of the sea and mountains can be enjoyed from here and the Apuans seem almost to soar above the sea. Today it is a very popular destination for tourists from all over the world. In the 1930s the Agnelli family chose the town for their summer residence making it famous.
It is a town of considerable artistic and cultural importance situated at the foot of the ancient Lombardic Fortress overlooking the built-up area around the magnificent Piazza del Duomo full of marble workshops and numerous sculpture studios. Artists of all nationalities work and meet in the town, creating an intense artistic activity and during the summer these organize exhibitions as well as “one-man show” in relationship to more important events. Marble carving courses are also available for young artists from every part of the world.
The Apuan Alps Park extends from Versilia to Garfagnana until Lunigiana. There is a large vegetable and ornithological population with endemic species and reptiles (ex. The Cough and the Vandeboschia Fern that are found in the “symbol” of the Park). One meets splendid mountains (not far from the sea), inebriate landscapes full of caves, abyss, underground rivers and wells (ex. Antro del Corchia and Marmitte dei Giganti).
In the middle of the Apuan Alps regional Park beats a wonderful heart: the Corchia's cavern. It is a karst complex, a phenomenon of calcareous rocks corrosion, and it develops in a maze of tunnels for more than 50km. It is the result of 5million years of the water's gradual action which makes the Cavern the more developed underground complex in Italy, and the third in depth in Europe. There's a special equipped course of two kilometers that allows you to penetrate the heart itself of the Apuan Alps in security, thanks to the expert hands of the speleological guides. The reception is held by ticket office in Levigliani, a mountain village, then by getting on a bus that goes along a quarry road to the entrance, for a 2 hours excursion, including the wonderful viewing experience.
Situated in the centre of the Apuan Alps' Nature Park in the province of Lucca (Tuscany), this is one of the most complete European caves, presenting an extraordinary variety of phenomena which are competently and precisely illustrated by expert speleological guides. Following practical walkways, we can admire under the spotlights the many wonders of the underground world: from shining stalactites and stalagmites to polychrome flowstones, alabaster draperies, crystal-brimmed lakes, underground water-courses and bizarre forms of erosion.
The five hamlets of the Cinque Terre are located on the west coast of the Riviera; the villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso either cling to the cliff face or are concealed in miniature inlets perfectly blending in to this unique and unspoilt landscape. The area has been turned into a National Park and proclaimed heritage of mankind by UNESCO. Monterosso is renowned for the unspoilt architecture of the medieval centre, now a thriving cultural centre, with pleasant beaches for more mundane holidaymakers. The topography of Vernazza is outstanding: tower-like buildings flank the narrow alleyways leading down to the anchorage which is set in a fairy-tale bay. The medieval hamlets of Manarola. Perched on a rock outcrop, and Riomaggiore are linked by a footpath cut out of the sheer rock just a stone throw away from sea; this romantic pathway is called Via dell' Amore is dedicated to lovers.
The township, which dates back to Roman times, is overshadowed by a medieval castle now converted into a magnificent paleontologic museum. In the 18th century the town became fashionable among English poets and writers on account of its scenic beauty incorporating many of the contemporary Romanti ideals. Ther are several striking villas in the area and the picturesque old township is surrounded by gardensand sunlit beaches.
This striking, sea-faring village is unique of its kind in Riviera: the Doria quay is hemmed in by a number of tower-like houses which effectively turn the harbour into a fortified citadel. The islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto are located just off the mainland. The grottoes, the churches of San Pietro (4th-13th centuries) and San Lorenzo and the castle are worth a visit.
It has been written that Lucchese built their landscape “as if their only concern was with beauty”. A luxuriant island of history situated in the centre of north-west Tuscany, an enviable position that places it only a few minutes from Versilia coast. A city-state for over 600 years, Lucca nestles behind its centuries-old walls and is revealed a little at a time. The various eras have left their historical imprint of harmonious structures which are well preserved to this day. The heart of the city is built on an almost uninterrupted series of piazzas, churches and places joined together by a web of narrow streets and irregular paths which open unexpectedly onto important works of art and monuments.
Worldwide know for the extraordinary monument of the Leaning Tower, exalting the quadrilogy of the Piazza del Duomo, Pisa can boast a millenary history whose point of highest splendour dates back to the age of the Maritime Republics. It is a casket of artistic treasures in which Romanesque and Gothic churches, squares and palaces all extol its Quarters traced out by the Lungarni and by the ancient streets. As an important university town, it has been able to hold its prominent thanks to its several Faculties and to the Scuola Normale Superiore situated in the Piazza dei Cavalieri. The visitor to Pisa will discover not only art, culture and history, but also natural environments like the Park of Migliarino-San Rossore, the Litoral and the Monte Pisano, forming a particular evocative frame around it.
Florence is justifiably called "the capital of arts". According to statistics produced by UNESCO, 60% of the world's most important works of art are located in Italy and approximately half of these are in Florence. Browsing through Florence's collection of breathtaking architecture, sculpture, monuments, museum and other treasures of art might overwhelm you. However, you should see the Cathedral (i.e. Duomo) with its massive cupola and the bell-tower, which together makes the striking feature of the city. Inside are many important works of art by such artists as Michelangelo, Donatello and Brunelleschi. The Basilica of San Lorenzo dates from 393 and is the oldest church in the city. The church is flanked by the New Sacristy, designed by Michelangelo and houses the Medici family tombs. Some of Florence most important museums are; "Galleria dell'Accademia" which houses famous sculptures by Michelangelo, and Donatello; "Uffizi Gallery" is one of the greatest museums in the world, with works by Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Rubens, Rembrandt and Goya to name a few.
