Spring and Autumn are special times in the Lunigiana. In the Autumn there is the ritual of the chestnut harvest together with the hunt for porcini - the most highly prized variety of Italian mushroom. In Spring, of course, the temperature is not quite as hot as in the summer and the landscape is coming to life again.
In Winter, whilst one cannot sunbathe, the sun still shines and the skies are often blue despite the dip in temperature, and with the winter comes skiing. There are three locations for this: one is on the north side of Monte Bocco, one is at Zum-Zeri in the western part of the Lunigiana and the third centre is at Cerreto - all in stunning countryside.

For those who want to immerse themselves in Italian culture, there is always plenty taking place, especially in the summer with the village 'sagras', 'festas' and other celebrations. Florence is one and a half hours drive away, whilst Lucca (a smaller but delightful mediaeval town with its old and massive Roman walls, where you can get wonderful views of the city by hiring bicycles and riding around the tops of these walls) and Pisa are about one hours drive away. All of these are also accessible by train from Aulla station, amongst others.
To the north (again about one hour) there is Parma and its neighbouring countryside, rich with Verdi connections. Whilst Bologna, where you can stroll along the arched arcades, visit the Cathedral and other sites and then watch the locals talk politics in the square as you sip a cappuccino, is not too far distant from Parma further along the motorway. Torre del Lago (Versilia), with its annual Puccini festival, is an hours drive if you want to sample Italian opera 'al fresco'.

Click here for a map showing the main towns of the area, here for some more photographs of the region, and here for details of vacation rental property in Lunigiana - truly 'Undiscovered Tuscany'.