Pieve Fosciana in Tuscany

We found undiscovered Tuscany in the region called “Garfagnana.”  This region is the north westerly part of Tuscany, and the town that we are in lies in a valley with the Alpi Apuane mountains (the source of Michalangelo’s marble) to the west and the Apennines mountains to the East.  It has a plethora of beautiful hilltop towns and an amazing number of hiking trails.  So we were pretty much in heaven!   The panoramic picture that opens this post is of the valley with the Apennines in the background.  We enjoyed a couple of hikes in this area and actually hiked up to the Pania di Corfino, which is the rounded formation at the top of the mountain.  Because these mountains are so old and the roads are built so high, you can get further and quicker then is deserved in a single day of hikingJ.  We also hiked in the Apuanes.  The forest is beautiful and as you climb you feel history at your feet as you amble over the natural marble (see forest picture).  Upon exiting the woods you are deep in the mountain range and the views are spectacular (pictured – open view with me in the middle).  The local food selection here is heavy on farro (a harvest grain that we enjoyed in pasta, beer, and soup), black truffles, and pecorino cheese.  However, we had a kitchen at this stay so we also enjoyed going to market (my favorite kind of shopping) and eating at home (pictured – lunch from our little cabin).  Next stop for us is Radda in Chianti J