Valfegana - the real 'hidden Tuscany' - not well known, but adored by those who've been here.

With craggy cliffs hung with acacia and chestnut, this is very different from the more famous area of Chianti and its rolling hills and cypress woods. The forests are alive with deer, fox, wild boar, badger, rabbit, mole and other fauna (perhaps even wolf?)

The lovely Fegana valley has been carved out by the sparkling Torrente Fegana over many millennia, meandering for 30kms down from the Tre Potenze mountains (winter skiing), to just above Bagni di Lucca, where it joins the Serchio, the river that flows down to Lucca itself.

There are 3 villages in the Valfegana itself: Vitiana, Tereglio and Montefegatesi, plus the "Orrido di Botri" National Park with its stunning waterfall. The Valley is rich in little bars, rustic restaurants and glorious walks and excursions.

This delicious part of Tuscany's unrivalled countryside is the best place to find porcini and other mushrooms; local shepherds make pecorino (a traditional sheeps milk cheese) and the best lamb you've ever tasted - cooked in a traditional wood oven, with rosemary and local olive oil; Emilia will happily sell you her prosciutto (cured ham) and eggs; there's brown trout to fish for in the river and Salmon-trout (at the fish farm) - then there's our local deep green olive oil and wine and honey and olives and...

Why look elsewhere when the indigenous flavours are so good?

The Valfegana is within 'shooting distance' of most of the other places you may wish to visit during your stay - in addition to Lucca and the Garfagnana, we suggest guests go by train to Florence (about 90 mins) or take a day trip to Siena by car. Pisa and the airport are less than an hour's drive away, as are the spas of Montecatini and the beach.

Local attractions: the Garfagnana itself, with its National Parks - not least the Parco Di Orrechiella with its wild flowers... and bear! Nearby Bagni di Lucca has its spa (the Romans used it extensively), an excellent tennis club, theatres and shops; as well as fine local bakers and markets. The Villas, north of Lucca, and their Gardens are World famous and the Colline Lucchese and Montecarlo Wines have an international reputation for quality.

Click here to view a selection of photographs from the area.
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