Around Benabbio and Boveglio

Both villages are nestled within the dramatic scenery of the Appennine Mountains, which are thickly forested with chestnut trees. Benabbio has 2 excellent village stores, a newsagents and a summer bar, whilst Boveglio has a restaurant/bar and another bar with a splendid terrace. There are excellent walking opportunities from both villages.

Bagni di Lucca is the nearest town to Benabbio, just a ten-minute drive down the mountain road to the valley of the lower Lima. (20 minutes from Boveglio) It was once a fashionable 19th century spa town frequented by distinguished visitors such as Byron and Shelley. The spa still functions offering a range of traditional and modern treatments. The town has a beautiful outdoor swimming pool, numerous shops and bars and excellent restaurants. 20 minutes from Boveglio (30 minutes from Benabbio) is the small town of Collodi, noted for Pinocchio Park and the lovely gardens of Villa Garzoni.

Lucca is a 30-minute drive from Benabbio (40 minutes from Boveglio) and is a fine renaissance city encircled by a 4.2km wall, with plenty of opportunities for culture, sightseeing and shopping.

Florence can be reached in 1 1/2 hours from Benabbio with Pistoia, Montecatini Terme and Pisa under an hour away and Siena about 2 hours away. The winter ski resort of Abetone is also about an hour away. The Versilian coast, which includes the seaside towns of Viareggio & Forte dei Marmi is about a 45-minute drive.