Friends of Tuscany - Tuscany and Umbria villas

19/09/2026

Lucca’s monthly antique market returns this weekend, spilling through the old town’s cobbled piazzas.

​Here is how we would spend the day here;

​Morning begins with espresso and sfogliatella opposite the facade of San Frediano. Lose an hour or two wandering the stalls for vintage copper and hand-carved linen, before ducking into Pizza da Felice—the city’s oldest hole-in-the-wall—for hot farinata.

​As the afternoon sun warms, rent a bike to trace the top of the 16th-century city walls. The wide ramparts are completely canopy-shaded by ancient trees, keeping you cool with views over hidden courtyard gardens and terracotta roofs.

​End the day at Ciclo Divino for an aperitivo and daily bruschetta (€1 each) before a short stroll back to the station.

​We pride ourselves on our deep knowledge of the area—when you stay in one of our villas, this is exactly the kind of insider day out you can expect from us.

​Driving in this weekend? Drop us a message and we will send over our favourite spots for free parking just outside the walls.

25/06/2026

A lovely tribute of Monte Forato, which was recently illuminated to mark 30 years since the devastating 1996 floods. The striking natural arch of the mountain remains a deeply significant landmark for our community here in Garfagnana, and it is exceptionally close to many of our houses.

Monte Forato offers one of the most rewarding hikes in the Apuan Alps, with three primary ways to reach the top depending on your experience:

The Classic Route (Moderate): Starting from the village of Fornovalasco, this trail follows CAI path 6. It climbs steadily through the woods and offers a direct, well-marked route up to the arch.

The Panoramic Ridge (Challenging): For a longer and more scenic trek, you can start from Foce di Petrosciana. This route follows the ridge line, offering incredible dual views of both the Garfagnana valley and the Versilia coast.

The Via Ferrata (Advanced): For experienced climbers with proper safety gear, the Via Ferrata Renato Salvatori ascends directly up the mountain's northern ridge.

For the truly adventurous, it is possible to book a controlled swing experience. Professionally rigged by local alpine guides, this giant swing allows you to swing directly through the center of the mountain's stone arch while securely hooked up to a harness system. Prior booking with local excursion guides is required.

The lovely village of Fornovalasco serves as an ideal base for the day. We highly recommend parking here, tackling the hike up to the arch, and timing your return for a well-deserved meal at extrAntrum. Located right in the village, this restaurant is excellent for authentic local dishes after a long walk.

If you are planning a day trip out to Monte Forato during your stay and need help checking trail conditions or connecting with local guides, please let us know.

26/05/2026

Refugio Isera is a beautiful campsite nestled right in the heart of the Orecchiella National Park.

It is the ultimate spot to stop for a great lunch before or after a hike up the Pania di Corfino. Plus, when the weather is really hot further down the valley, it serves as a wonderfully cool haven for a picnic or a sit-down meal. They offer fantastic traditional cold cuts, pasta, and BBQ’d meats.

There are many signposted trails starting right from the site, ranging in difficulty and length. If you are planning a trip and want some recommendations, we are more than happy to pass on our knowledge and help you pick the best route.

21/05/2026

If you are staying with us in the Garfagnana at the moment, there is a brilliant local festival happening this weekend that is well worth a visit.

Castiglione di Garfagnana is hosting its traditional "Passeggiata Degustativa" (Tasting Walk) this Sunday, 24th May. It is a fantastic opportunity to see the village, taste proper regional mountain food, and experience a genuine local tradition.

Here is what you need to know:

When: Sunday 24th May. If you want to join the guided wild herb walk ("Erbi Bon"), that starts at 10:00 am.

The Food & W**e: From 12:00 pm, the food trail opens through the village streets. Local village associations prepare traditional dishes, and in the afternoon, there is a w**e tasting featuring local Castiglione producers.

There will be live music from, a small market with local crafts, and a spring mushroom photography exhibition.

Cost: €25 for adults, €15 for children under 12. This grants you access to the food tasting route. Otherwise it is free to attend.

Castiglione is just a short drive from most of our villas. If you want directions, parking advice, or need us to double-check any details for you before you head out, just drop us a message or give us a call.

13/05/2026

Garfagnana is the region a lot of travellers miss. It is a place of mountains and medieval villages, places that have worked hard to hold on to their traditions.

In our latest blog, we share why this corner of Italy remains so distinct and offer a guide to some of our favourite things to do. We take a look at what sets the area apart, from the rugged mountain landscape and traditional food to a local history that includes some surprising links to Scotland.

You can read the full guide here:

Where is Garfagnana, Tuscany? Discover a wild mountain region of villages, rivers, trekking, and real local life — far from crowds.

07/05/2026

The SP13 road from the Garfagnana to the Ligurian coast is one of the most dramatic drives in Northern Tuscany. Starting in the chestnut forests near Castelnuovo, the route climbs through the marble mountains of the Apuan Alps before dropping down towards the sea.

Along the way you’ll find hidden villages like Isola Santa, roadside cafés filled with locals, abandoned quarries reclaimed by nature and street art, and views stretching all the way to the Mediterranean. It’s a side of Tuscany that many travellers miss completely.

Instead of the usual tourist trail, this is a slower, more authentic day out, the kind of route where the best stops are often unplanned.

In our latest blog, we share the full drive, where to stop, where to eat, and a few places most visitors overlook completely.

Read the full guide here:
Friends of Tuscany – SP13 Road Trip Guide

Discover the ultimate Apuan Alps day trip. From Isola Santa’s emerald lake to Lerici’s coast, explore authentic Tuscany with our expert, local guide.

14/04/2026

If you are visiting Borgo a Mozzano on the 18th or 19th of April, the annual Azalea Festival is worth a look while you’re there.

​The town is famous for the Devil’s Bridge, but that weekend the streets are also lined with flower displays and stalls selling local plants and produce. It’s a nice addition to a day out in the valley, especially with the spring colours coming out.

On April 18 and 19, 2026, the Azalea Market Exhibition returns to Borgo a Mozzano with flowers, plants, crafts, food stands and activities for all. | Visit Tuscany

11/03/2026

To our friends in the NHS and Social Care

We know how hard you work, and we know how much a proper "reset" matters. To say a small thank you, we are proud to offer a dedicated discount on our villa rentals across Tuscany and Umbria.

Whether you need a quiet poolside in the Garfagnana hills or a family farmhouse near Siena, the Friends of Tuscany NHS offer is here to help you get away for less.

- Save up to 5% on your stay
- Get personal support
- Swap the wards for the olive groves—you have earned it.

How to claim:
Just mention your role when you email us, or show your Blue Light Card when booking.

Find out more here: https://friendsoftuscany.com/nhs-discount-tuscany-villas/

The Friends of Tuscany NHS offer gives healthcare workers a special discount on villa rentals. Book direct for the best rates in Italy.

11/03/2026

Tuscany isn’t all rolling hills and tour buses. In our corner of the north, it’s about rugged peaks, ancient stone villages like Castagnola, and absolute silence.If you’re tired of the crowds in Chianti and want your kids to see 'real' mountains, this is where you need to be.

We’ve personally visited every villa in our collection to ensure they’re perfect for families who love the outdoors.

Photo credit: in collaboration with

"Con le Alpi Apuane sullo sfondo, Castagnola emerge dalla natura che si risveglia, un luogo dove ogni respiro sa di quiete e autenticità.

📸 Foto di in collaborazione con "

05/03/2026

When people think of Tuscany they imagine vineyards.

But in Garfagnana it's castles, watchtowers and ancient stone bridges.

The Matildica Way of the Holy Face is an old pilgrimage route that passes through the area on its way to Lucca.

A nice article about it here:

Among the mountains and valleys crossed by the Serchio river runs the Via Matildica del Volto Santo, an itinerary of striking fortresses and unmissable bridges. | Visit Tuscany