GARFAGNANA FARMHOUSE SURROUNDINGS BAGNI DI LUCCA: Pian di Fiume

Bagni di Lucca

surroundings to visit : Bagni di Lucca | Florence | Lucca | Pisa | Versilia | Abetone

Bagni di Lucca - PARADISE OF NATURE
The area's unique geographical, climatic and hydro-geological configuration has fostered the development of unique botanical, mycological and zoological babitats: striking spots such as the Gorge of Botri, the Prato Fiorito, Balzo Nero and Penna di Lucchio peaks, the Cocciglia Narrows and many others have always been the haunts of geologists and naturalists. The area abounds in mushrooms, rare botanical species and a wide variety of fauna including boar, fallow deer, wolves, foxes, hawks, eagles, squirrels, hedgehogs and porcupines. Hikers can walk for hours on end through what seems like virgin country, Bagni di Lucca being the mountain municipality covering the largest area in Italy

Bagni di Lucca - A PARADISE FOR THE HISTORY OF ART AND ARCHITECTURE
There are lots of mansions, country houses and monuments to visit in the valley bottom, built by the illustrious regular guests and Italian and foreign courts that have come and gone in the town: the English Church and the protestant cemetery, the venerable Casino (Europe's first public gaming house), the Stables and the Villa Reale, the Demidoff Hospital, the Circolo dei Forestieri (Foreigners' Club), Villa Fiori and Villa Ada, Bagno alla Villa and the Ponte delle Catene (Chain Bridge). All these are flanked by the feudal and mediaeval remains to be found in the over 20 outlying mountaintop villages. Each of them is just waiting to be explored, with its wealth of history, traditions, legends, crafts and long-lost customs.

Bagni di Lucca - PARADISE FOR SPORT
The four swimming pools (one of them indoor), into which spa water as well is piped, the Mirafiume clay tennis courts and the municipal stadium are all modern facilities. There is no lack of riding stables or rafting and canoeing courses in the area. The River Lima is a favourite haunt for angling, and also for wallowing in the natural pools of crystal-clear water, which attract quite a crowd on hot summer's days. Trekking and mountain bike enthusiasts have a wide variety of panoramic trails for all ability levels to choose from, and the peaks of the Apennines are also ideal for the increasingly popular sport of paragliding.