Towns & Villages
Coreglia Antelminelli
Distance from Colletto: 1 km
Walking distance from Colletto: 10 min
Within walking distance is the small town of Coreglia Antelminelli, a beautiful medieval hill town, which is free from traffic and has many amenities including food shops, bank, bars, a post office, hairdressers and restaurants. Some of the finest traditional restaurants are located in this area, where you can sample the delights of Italian cuisine with an excellent selection of local wines. There are many local festivals, concerts and classical events taking place throughout the summer, both locally in Coreglia and at nearby Barga and Lucca. Operas take place at the famous Puccini’s Torre del Lago.
Barga
Distance from Colletto: 13 km
Time from Colletto with car: 20 min
Barga with its cobbled lanes and impressive duomo is a natural beauty and quaint village Timeless Beauty Untouched by mass tourism, more than picturesque, Barga is a gem: ancient, immaculate and prosperous, it attracts only the discerning. Barga is an ancient hamlet in an incredible location on an outcrop which has retained its medieval foundations, narrow streets, tiny squarea and steep stairwells. At the top is the 12th century cathedral with an impressive panoramic view.
Barga is known for its historic monuments, artistic richness, from atop the hill visitors can see the green valley of the Serchio river and Apuan Alps, renowned for their marble quarries, and the less rugged Appenines. Nature lovers walk in the nearby mountain woods.
The ancient town of Barga is situated in the valley of the river Serchio on the edge of the Garfagnana Region. The original historical center of town still remains. The old houses are gathered around the dominant cathedral dating back to before the year 1000. The town seems protected by its surrounding walls. This entire valley is situated between the green Apennines and the rockier Apuan chain (with its marble quarries).
Pisa
Distance from Colletto: 40 km
Time from Colletto with car: 1 h
The Province of Pisa is located in central-western Tuscany, covering a stretch of coastline, wide plains and rolling hills that include the Colline Metallifere to the South. The coastline is made up of extensive beaches surrounded by high dunes and fresh pinewoods, and is home to renowned tourist resorts such as Marina di Pisa and Tirrenia. The inland landscapes vary, depending on the area’s natural features; they assume varying forms and colors, espeically when one arrives at the spectacular badlands that speak to the erosion phenomena that characterizes Volterrano and Val di Cecina. Another extraordinary and striking landscape is that of the famous geysers of Larderello.
Lucca
Distance from Colletto: 36 km
Time from Colletto with car: 1 h 20 min
Lucca is a charming town full of restaurants, bars, churches, squares, and shops, all set within a fully intact medieval wall. Park just outside the walls or drive through one of the city gates and park up just inside (using meters). You can’t drive around Lucca, so don’t attempt to – inadvisable.
Pick up a map from the tourist office – it’s easy to find your way around. Particularly recommended are:
- Take a walk around the walls (4 kilometers – or 1-hour max)
- Or better still, hire bikes and ride around (there are loads of bike hire shops, generally near the gates, and you can hire bikes per hour). If you have children/babies, you can still cycle as they have ones with kids’ seats and even pull along ‘chariots’!
- Torre Guinigi, a medieval tower that’s worth going up for the views (Note: it is a steepish stair climb).
- Lucca is a great place to shop (Via Filungo is the main shopping street)
- There are hundreds of restaurants – all of which are good (see separate restaurant guide for recommendations)
- Here in July? Check out the Annual Lucca Summer Festival – where acts including Elton John, Robbie Williams, Neil Young, and Stevie Wonder have all recently played.
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Fancy some Puccini? (He was born in Lucca, after all). Check out Puccini e la sua Lucca which puts on a one-hour performance at 7 pm in the Church of San Giovanni every evening. The program varies nightly and typically features a soprano, tenor, and pianist. Catch a few arias and then head out for dinner in Lucca …
Florence
Distance from Colletto: 100 km
Time from Colletto with car: 1,5 h
Italy’s important historical city of Florence is only one and a half hours away, the famous Leaning Tower and Duomo of Pisa just one hour away. Other beautiful cities that are nearby; Lucca is 40 Minutes away, and Siena 2 hours. Only an hour away are the sun-soaked golden sand beaches, stretched for fifteen miles and including the famous resorts of Viareggio, Marina Di Pietra Santa and Forte dei Marmi.