Driving about 50 kilometres from Pistoia towards the mountains along the "Strada Regia Modenese", or "Strada Ximeninana", as it was named after its designer, you arrive to Abetone, a renowned summer and winter resort.

Situated 1,388 metres above sea level, Abetone owes its name to an enormous fir tree that was cut down in the late 18th century in order to build the road that connects the "city of enchanted stone" to Modena, in Emilia-Romagna ("abetone" is the Italian word for "big fir tree").

Commissioned by the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Peter Leopold, and the Duke of Modena, Francis III, for military purposes, the Ximeniana is nowadays the road many tourists follow to reach their Tuscan vacation apartments.

Those who love winter sports can downhill ski, cross-country ski and snowboard along about 50 kilometres of pistes. Alternatively, you can snowshoe with a pair of "ciaspole" (as you often see in Hollywoodian films).

In spring, when the snow melts and luxuriant, green meadows appear, you can have pleasant mountain-bike rides or dedicate to Nordic walking. But in Abetone there are also some tennis courts, five-a-side football pitches, a facility for playing bowls, lakes for sports fishing, a swimming pool...

In short, in Abetone you will find all you need for wonderful sporty vacations in close contact with nature.