Versilia

Versilia belongs to the province of Lucca and its territory includes the land between the Apuan Alps and the coast, well known as a tourist destination for its beaches and seaside resorts. Among these the best renowned is Forte dei Marmi, one of the most exclusive and fashionable tourist destinations not only in Versilia, but throughout Italy and abroad. Other popular places are Pietrasanta, Camaiore and Viareggio, this one in particular way for its Carnival historical parade. Quite close to Viareggio there is the town of Torre del Lago Puccini. Its name is due to the tower built around the fifteenth century and, added later, to the famous composer, where he lived for many years and composed most of his works. Versilia is also a land full of history and traditions, offering a large variety of natural beauties to be admired and discovered, from the ancient and majestic marble of Carrara to the numerous botanical species distributed throughout the area. In addition, the municipalities of Versilia are constantly engaged in an effort of preservation and diffusion of the beauties and consequentely the opportunities offered to visitors and tourists. Therefore it is worth to report some Routes, or thematic roads, one of the best and pleasant way to discover the culture, tradition and food of this land. The Wine Routes, or wine roads, are gastronomic walks along which you can visit the wineries, stopping for a nice break and taste. Among these the most renowned are the Wine Road of Lunigiana and the Wine Road of the Hills of Candia. The Marble Routes run through the Apuan mountains of Versilia, since always exploited for the extraction of marble. This secular tradition is important not only for commercial reasons, but also from an artistic point of view. Even today in the Apuan Alps area are active many laboratories of sculptors and craftsmen, whose works can be admired and purchased even in the shopping streets of the seaside resorts. The Flowers Routes, managed by associations that not only suggest the itineraries but also are engaged in the maintenance and the emergencies that occur in the botany field. Let’s say that if wine routes are designed to taste the typical products, the flowers itineraries will take you in a magic world of botanical beauty that this area can offer to you.