The Apuan Alps and the Garfagnana

The next day, we take a lazy drive further into the alps.  We want to see a few other little towns deeper in the Garfagnana, the area we are currently in that's prized for it's interesting landscapes and geology.
           

Our first stop is Barga…
                         
 ….and we discover it to be a hip, artsy little town with a lot going on.  They have lots of little theaters for the performing arts, everything from plays to orchestral performances.


                  
The setting is beautiful.


The gelato is pretty good...

Ciao, Barga!

We drive a little further on to Castelnuovo di Garfagnana.  The roads through this area are the main attraction.  This area is called, the Serchio River Valley.

          Castelnuovo di Garfagnana has lots of nooks & crannies to explore.  This old theater had a giant keyhole in the old doors, excellent for peeping.  

 And, of course, walls around the town...

We had a great time exploring the Garfagnana but we realized the most beautiful place to be here is our villa, so we stay put and enjoy it the next couple of days - we go nowhere, other than walking into the tiny town for a few supplies and a dinner out up the road.

One evening, we decide to have a top-shelf, authentic Tuscan meal.  We drive to a highly recommended Tuscan restaurant that was founded in 1368, "Antica Locanda di Sesto!!!"  They source their food from the local famers and make their own wine and olive oil.

On the way to the restaurant, we pass the medieval "Devil's Bridge."  It's real name is Ponte della Maddalena and it crosses the Serchio river.  It was constructed between 1080-1100!!!


We completely stuff ourselves and roll back home…