MASSA and CARRARA


Massa and Carrara are two neighbouring cities which together form a single province in the northern part of Tuscany, bordering Liguria. Until the end of World War II the area was first annexed to La Spezia, then to Parma and tovarious other cities.In Massa Carrara there are some associations of mountain municipalitiessuch as the Comunità Montana Alta Versilia and the Comunità Montana Lunigiana.The National Park of the Tuscan-Emilian Appennines and the Apuan Alps Natural Park are areas of outstanding natural interest. Not only is the region beautiful, the mountains rather house many marble quarries.Actually, the Carrara marble is a top-quality material that is exported all around the world. It comes in hues of white, yellow, pink, green and blue.
Marble Valley - Lunigiana- Apuan Alps :
Situated in the northernmost part of Tuscany, the provence of Massa Carrara is in the centre of
important tourist destinations such as The Golfo dei Poeti, the Cinque Terre and Tuscan art centres. Here sea and land merge into a spectacular contrast created by nature. At the foot of the marble mountains – the Apuan Alps- the sea washes a sandy coastline which extends for km. The exceptional variety and excellent geographical position of this territory makes it and ideal destination for any type of tourism.
In the Apuan Alps the spectacular marble querries offer an evocative sight. This precious white stone has been quarried since Roman Times. Since than, it has been used for all sorts of different purposes. From simple objects to more famous works of art and architecture. In the past, the block of marble were transported using an ancient manual technique called “ lizzatura” which is recalled each year thanks to the courage and skill of the last living “lizzatori”. In the art studios of Carrara, at the marble museum and at open-air exhibition, it is possible to learn at close quarters about the history and working of marble.
Nestling on the flattish area between the mountains and the sea, the town of Massa and Carrara reflect, in their historical centres, great architectonic and monumental whelth- the squares, fountains, churches, monuments and numerous details of urban building – offer an insight into the history of the different dominations that have succeded one another in the course of the centuries. The art Nouveau architecture and art deco style along the coast bear witness and the tradition of tourism on the Apuna riviera. In the summer, the beaches explode with the bright colours of endless rows of the beach umbrellas and sunbeds put on tourists disposal by well- equipped beach establishments, which also offer all sort of facilities for sport and fun activity. In the shade of the coastal pinewoods, the numerous camping sites offer holidays for the sportsmen as well as for lovers of life in the open air. There are pleasant hotels offering excellent facilities all along the coast line. Stretching beyond the Apuan Alps, Lunigiana, named after the moon, is a magnificent land with a rich history and many traditions. The medieval itineraries of Via Francigena cross Lunigiana following the river Magra; everywhere today, you can still see the signs of ots ancient and intense civilisation, well-preserved and fascinating Appennine Valley of lush nature . The hotel facilities include farm holidays offering excellent services and immersed in greenery.
Along the via Francigena itinerary, but also in the minor valleys, countles signs evoke life in the past- the austere shapes of dozen of dozen of castle, medieval walled villages, fine urban buildings, and villas, towers, fortificat all kinds, romanesque parish churches, and small country churches. Stele statues and stone idols that date back 2000 years BC , all bearing mysterious witnessyo this ancient civilization . This land that lies between the sea and mountains offer a great variety of traditions: you might enter a village and be carried away by an atmosphere that is strictly medieval-form the dishes to the customs and from the street performers to the streets trades. You might try dishes based on chestnuts or cooked “ testi” as they were thousand years ago in the Lunigiana inns . Or you might try the fresh fish cooked in the restaurants by the seas, washed dawn with “ Candia” wine from the Apuan hills . It is also possible to devote some time to physical well-being in the renowed mineral waters which spring from the Apuan Alps or at the spas of St Carlo, Aqui Terme and Cinquale in Montignoso.

Places to visit:Massa, Carrara, Aulla, Montignoso, Fosdinovo, Pontremoli, Fivizzano,Lunigiana.

Local dishes:The Lardo di Colonnata enriched with herbs and spices, the homemadeTordelli pasta, the Taglierini with beans, the Panigacci (bread with sausages),the dried cod, the Carrara rice cake, the stockfish with with polenta andpotatoes, the Testaroli (fried bread served as an accompaniment to salamisand cheese) and the Sgabei (fried strips of dough also served with salamisand cheese).

Testimonials

  • Shore Excursion from Livorno Harbour to Florence and Pisa

    Santiago Family from POrtorico. Shore Excursion to Pisa and Florence , back to the harbour. Thanks for travelling with us . Read more
  • Flavia Saiad

    After some days in Tuscany , here there are at the Station ready for another Italian's adventure Read more
  • Karen & Jhon from Boston

    E-mail dated back Septmber 2019
    Hi Sylvia - its' hard to believe but in a few weeks it will be a year since our wonderful trip to Tuscany and our three days of touring with you. We've told many, many people about our three days touring with you in Tuscany! We love to tell the story of the guy in the

    ... Read more
  • Judith Wolfe on Behalf of Linda Wolfe October 2018

    Dear Silvia,My customers have returned from their long extended trip to Italy. San Gimignano was their 1st stop.They said the tour you arranged was wonderful and the guide made it especially good, saying that he is one of the best they ever had.They also really enjoyed the lunch stop and view.Thank you... Read more
  • Mrs. Maristela Azevedo

    Hello, Silvia, how are you?
    I’d like to thank you for the great time you gave us!!!We loved everything!
    I told my husband that, the next time, we will rent an apartment in San Gimignano…and you will take us to the wineries…He loved it!
    Thank you very much for everything. It was everything wonderful!!!... Read more
  • Jaime Otero y Jose Carlos Gonzalez Bonilla

  • Shane Quintard

    Ciao Silvia!

    Grazie ancora per il grande tour di Siena e San Gimignano - io e mia moglie e amici aveva un grande momento e che era esattamente quello che speravamo! La cantina è stata una scelta eccellente, come pure! Abbiamo lasciato ieri (1 febbraio) e ha fatto arrivare a casa in modo sicuro, nonostante ... Read more
  • Carole Gaddis

    Hi Silvia,  It's so good to hear from you.  We're fine.  We had six days at home after Tuscany and then flew to South Korea for two weeks!  We've just returned, exhausted!
    We had such a great time with you, Silvia.  The tip could never be enough to show our appreciation for your kindness and help.  ... Read more
  • The British Institute of Florence

    Gentile Silvia,  La volevo ringraziare per la sua disponibilità riguardo la gita di sabato.  Le signore le hanno fatto tutte molti complimenti per la sua guida!
    Grazie e a presto,
    Cordiali saluti,
    Liz Read more
  • Mrs Elizabeth ( wedding Planner ) Original Tuscan Wedding

    Ciao Silvia,
    Ecco i complimenti dalle Sposi del 16 Ottobre!!
    Our driver Johnny was so awesome!  He drove us all over the Chianti region.  He took us to a few wineries and we had a private tour of one of the wineries including a wine tasting and oil tasting.  He even took us into a store with a cellar ... Read more