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Barga is a locality in Garfagnana which has been rewarded as “città slow”, “bandiera arancione” and one of Italy’s best “borghi”. It’s one of the most important and biggest villages in the province of Lucca and it stands out on the top of its mountains, surrounded by green woods, fields and beautiful natural lakes. As well as being a noteworthy historical, cultural and artistic center, Barga grants you a relaxing stay during which you’ll be able to take part to some organized activities in its nature, such as trekking or horse riding excursions. WHAT DO YOU NEED TO SEE IN BARGA? You probably didn’t know that a well-known Italian poet called Giovanni Pascoli lived here: that’s why you can’t skip the visit to “Casa Pascoli” in Castelvecchio Garfagnana, a village in the surroundings, where he stayed for about seventeen years and where he decidied to be buried. The house is now a museum that can be visited, as it conserves some Pascoli’s works and its original home furnishings. Moreover, its garden is the location of special events, shows and exhibitions, like the “Festival dei bambini” in August (Museum opening hours: from October 1st to March 31st: Tuesday 2 pm-5:15 pm, from Wednesday to Sunday 9:30 am-1 pm and 2:30 pm-5:15 pm; from April 1st to September 30th: Tuesday 3:30pm-6:45pm and from Wednesday to Sunday 10:30am-1pm and 3pm-6:45pm). Another place linked to this poet is the “Teatro dei Differenti”, where he pronounced his speech in 1911 in favor of the war in Libya. Th theater was built in 1795 over a pre-existing 1689 structure and it still preserves the original architectural elements. In Barga, you also need to see the magnificent Dome or “Collegiata di San Cristoforo”, built between the XI and the XVI century in Romanic style. Inside there are some ancient frescos, sculptures, stoups and a wooden statue dedicated to the city patron. Furthermore, don’t forget to discover Palazzo Balduini, Palazzo Angeli, Palazzo Pancrazi, Caffè Capretz, Loggia Mercanti, Palazzo Podestà, Chiesa del Santissimo Crocifisso, Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata and the “Museo Civico del territorio di Barga” in Palazzo Pretorio (Museum opening hours: from June 1st to September 30th 10am-12:30pm, 2:30pm-5pm. Booking is needed)! LOCAL FOOD AND EVENTS During your holiday, also remember to taste some local delights, like lake trouts, mushrooms, chestnuts and vegetable soups: all the ingredients are found in this area and they’re totally natural. What are you waiting for? A vacation in Garfagnana is a must-do in Tuscany, so check our villas in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana (LU) and choose your favorite between Villa il Nido and Villa Saida!

A paved streets’ labyrinth, brick houses and huge defensive walls are the features of one of Italy’s best and most visited “borghi”: Anghiari (AR). In this small center on a hill, tourists fall in love with the colors of landscapes they were just used to see captured in postcards and they discover Tuscany’s real soul and history. Walking along the narrow streets of this “città del buon vivere”, it seems that time has not been passing since Middle Ages, when some ancient buildings like San Bartolomeo Apostolo Monastery (the Cassero), Badia church and the city walls were built. The main square is Piazza Mameli (in the past it was known as Piazza del Borghetto) and it hosts two of Anghiari’s most important museums: the “Museo statale di arte figurativa” in Palazzo Teglieschi” and “Museo della Battaglia e di Anghiari” in Palazzo del Marzocco. Don’t forget to visit even “Museo della Misericordia” “Teatro Ricomposti”, “Torre dell’Orologio” and “Giardini del Vicario”. Stop a few seconds to admire the wonderful panoramic view over the Tiber valley, the village of Sansepolcro and the “Piana della Battaglia”, which is the valley where a famous battle took place in 1440. On June 29th, the single clash day, Milaneses and Florentines fought to control Tuscany’s southern region and only one man died falling from his horse. As they won, Florentines decided to celebrate commissioning the “Battaglia di Anghiari” fresco to Leonardo da Vinci, which was painted in Palazzo Vecchio’s Salone dei Cinquecento. Unfortunately, the masterpiece ruined itself because of a wrong drying technique and Vasari covered it with one of his frescos afterwards. In memory of the battle, a “Palio della Vittoria” is organized every June 29th and it consists of a running competition starting in the Piana della Battaglia and ending in Piazza del Mercatale. There is also another curious tradition in this village: the Scampanata. Every five years, one May 5th, the “Società della Scampanata” members must present themselves in the main square before 6 o’clock in the morning. Those who arrive late are picked away from their houses, thrown on a frilled cart and carried along the crowded streets, where people throw flour, eggs and other kinds of food to them. Anghiari is in an area full of touristic attractions and “città d’arte”: a couple of minutes are enough to reach cities like Arezzo, Cortona, Siena or Perugia. Less than ten kilometers away from the center you will also find Monterchi, a small medieval locality where there are some beautiful villas rented by Posarelli Villas: Palazzo Rosadi and Torre del Cielo. Each property belongs to Rosado Rosadi and offers an exclusive position on Tuscan hills, a breathtaking panorama, a private swimming pool and a relaxing holiday to its guests.