The Serchio Valley

A short drive East 15 minutes by car from Metra is the upper Serchio Valley, lower part of which is the Garfagnana. Piazza Al Serchio after which the valley was named is the nearest town. There are cash points/banks for euros, two fuel stations, grocers, bakery, butchery and many other shops including two supermarkets. Once through Piazza there are many places to visit all within an easy one hour drive. Some fortification and several lovely walled towns one of which is Castiglioni di Garfagnana (detailed later).

Just a few miles on (SR445) from Piazza al Serchio is the 'Rocca delle Verrucole' go to www.panoramio.com for more photos and info. It's a fantastic hill top fort which is more than worth the long uphill hike, there is a convenient bench halfway up on which to catch ones breath. Verrucole castle was the result of six years of restoration, transforming it into one of the most evocative castles in Northern Tuscany.

From below 'Rocca delle Verrucole' looks imposing, it is completely free to visit and stroll round also a good place to take children of all ages. Passageways and hidey-holes will let young imaginations run wild giving adults time to relax and enjoy the views.

Just part of the view from 'Verrucole' in order, San Romano (Tower), Silicagnana (Spire), a small part of Lago Ponticosi with Piano di Pieve just behind, Castelnuovo di Garfagnana is just out of the picture but easily seen from the Fort when visiting.