Lunigiana Area Vacation Rentals

The Lunigiana area of Tuscany (Lunigiana means "the land of the moon") remains unspoilt and is full of rolling landscape with castles all across the landscape, but for lovers of the coast, the sea is no more than half-an-hour's drive away. The nearest airports are about one hour's drive from both Pisa and Genoa with regular flights from the UK and one and a half hour's drive from Florence.
The villagers are friendly and the hospitality warm and genuine, with great honesty encountered in bars, shops and restaurants.
You will find fishing villages with exceptional fish restaurants, as well as opportunities for sailing, canoeing, snorkelling or just relaxing on one of the beaches. The easiest way to get around the gulf is by ferry boat which runs between, Lerici, La Spezia and Portovenere or on to The Cinque Terre, five villages strung along the terraced cliffs looking out to the sea. These villages are completely unspoilt. If you visit the Cinque Terre, take a walk along the cliff paths which link one village to the next, stop in one of the bars or restaurants and try the fabulous food and delicate white wine made from the grapes that grow up the steep terraces above the villages.
Depending on what time of year you visit, you will find many families working on their olive groves and vineyards which form a stunning backdrop to the majestic Apennines or during the autumn months the woods and forests attract the mushroom and chestnut gatherers. The whole area is just so peaceful.
On a summer's evening, some villages hold festivals with fabulous home cooked food made by local women, a glass of red wine sitting with the rest of the villagers and perhaps some dancing in the square under the fairy lights. Some festivals are simple and some much grander. Or you could try the walks. The hills are full of marked paths leading from one valley to the next where rivers with waterfalls and natural rock pools for swimming abound. Or alternatively try the steep walks up to some of the highest peaks of the Apennines and then stroll along the ridge admiring the spectacular views. In springtime these hills are covered with wild flowers and if you are feeling lucky you may even catch a glimpse of the shy young deer which jump and run along the craggy banks.

Another option, after all that walking is to visit one of the Thermal spa’s. Relax in the waters, or treat yourself to one of their many restaurants.

Later on in the evening entertain yourselves by trying one of the fabulous pizzeria, or one of the local restaurants for their fabulous home cooked food.
This beautiful corner of Italy has so much to offer those in search of a retreat from the stresses and strains of every day life. You have got to try it to believe it!