Lunigiana is situated in the northern tip of Tuscany.

Ancient castles, Romanesque parish churches, medieval villages, abbeys and oratories dot this strip of land stretching among - or rather protected by - the Apuan Alps, the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines and the Ligurian Sea.

Of all the municipalities composing Lunigiana, the most renowned is certainly Pontremoli, where in the summer takes place the prestigious Premio Bancarella book festival.

This part of Tuscany, maybe the wildest spot of the region, is rich in villas, country houses and Tuscan farmhouses to rent.

Spending your holidays in Tuscany, or rather spending your holidays in Lunigiana means having pleasant days in close contact with unspoilt nature, at the discovery of old traditions and suggestive legends.

• A path network of over 250 kilometres stretches in the forest of Lunigiana for wonderful walks, mountain-bike excursions and horse rides (in Lunigiana there is plenty of riding stables).

• At Christmas, you can visit the "mechanical crib" in Pallerone, close to Aulla. The tradition developed in the second half of the last century and attracts adults and children.

• Those who like old stories can visit the places where developed the many legends of Lunigiana (the Malaspina Palace in Mulazzo or the remains of the castle of Sassalbo).

Just a last piece of advice: do not forget to taste the "testaroli", the most ancient type of Italian pasta, during your holidays trip in this part of Tuscany.