About Beaches

Viano is inland from La Spezia on the Mediterranean coast. South of La Spezia, along the Versilia Coast from Marinella di Sarzana to Viaraggio, there are many beaches amongst them some of the longest and finest in the Mediterranean. A number of these are well-serviced stretches requiring a small entrance fee. The entry prices can vary depending on the location and facilities such as water skiing, wind surfing and paragliding. The most northerly of the Cinque Terre villages, Monterosso, also boasts a long sandy beach with both public and private sections.

About Skiing

Just 30-40 minutes drive away from Viano are the pretty ski resorts of Zum Zeri, Cerreto Laghi and Prato Spilla. These resorts are situated in the Apennine mountains and are are ideal for family ski-ing and snow-boarding.

About Airport Information

Lunigiana is well served by low cost airlines which fly in to Pisa, Parma and Genoa airports, all 1 hour's drive or less away. A little further but still within easy reach are Milan's two international airports. The area is well connected by autostrada to all of these airports. Detailed directions from the various airports to the property will be sent with each property booking confirmation. To check low-cost flights from the UK to Pisa, Parma, Genoa and Milan go to www.skyscanner.net

About Parks

Viano is surrounded by major parks of international significance: 1. Equi Caves Cultural Park: the prehistoric Equi offers a diverse natural experience including grottos, canyons, the Equi Terme thermal spa town, the Equi Cut walk, the Caves Museum, the Archeopark and "The Buca" (The Pit). The Equi Caves Cultural Park opens on July 15th and closes on September 15th. 2. National Park of the Apennines: The wild, and extraordinary beauty of this region includes ecosystems of great scientific interest. Amongst the peaks golden eagles soar and wild Apennine wolves roam. Within the recently formed Apennine park you can find some of the highest peaks of the northern Apennines, from where you can enjoy wide views over steep valleys, large woods, and large mountain grasslands. 3. Apuane Alps Regional Park: the striking Apuane range of marble-topped mountains sits between the Apennines and the sea. This extraordinary alpine landscape encloses an incredible variety of rare flowers and plants as well as wild fauna and important archeological and geological sites. For the active it is possible to go on beautiful walking or horseriding tours and the steep mountainsides and deep caves of the Apuane Alps attract many cavers and climbers. 4. Cinque Terre National Park: On the coast within 45 minutes drive lies the delightful “Cinque Terre” - five old, pastel-coloured fishing villages strung along the coast to the north of La Spezia which rise sheer from the sea in dramatic situations. Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso all produce wine for which they are renowned since ancient times. Surrounded by steep terraced vineyards which tumble down to tiny coves and beaches where you can swim and relax. At Monterosso there is a huge sandy beach with all facilities. It is possible to visit the Cinque Terre by train (every hour from La Spezia) or by boat. The villages are linked by the main Rome-Paris railway (mostly underground) and can be reached by daily boat trips from Monterosso and Lerici. By far the best way to see the Cinque Terre is by foot and a network of ancient paths and mule tracks link the villages through olive groves and vineyards, orchards and chestnut woods. The Cinque Terre National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the railway line was voted No 1 “Railway Window on the World" by “The Independent” in 2006.

About Local Attrcations

Gastronomy
Food is a cornerstone of Italian culture and lifestyle and the Lunigiana region is no exception. Lunigiana is famous for its wonderful dishes and quality of its food and the area has a number of unique regional specialities, cooking styles and flavours. Lunigiana food is characterised by its simplicity, its freshness and its quality. And of course, the excellent food is served in a wealth of good local restaurants which tend to be very reasonably priced.
The local dishes include the "torta d'erbi" (herb cake), the lamb of Zeri, cinghiale, or wild boar, from the Lunigiana hills, the "Carscenta", a typical bread, the pattona, the spongata, the "bomba di riso" (rice bomb), the "frittini della Lunigiana", the "lasagne bastarde" of Bagnone, the "arbadela", the "coi pien" (stuffed artichokes), testaroli (a type of flat bread served with pesto sauce and local cheese) and the panigacci of Podenzana, cooked in the fire-place in terracotta plates that are put on top of each other. Local chestnuts and mushrooms (funghi porcini) form an important ingredient in many dishes.

About Local Restaurants

Gastronomy
Food is a cornerstone of Italian culture and lifestyle and the Lunigiana region is no exception. Lunigiana is famous for its wonderful dishes and quality of its food and the area has a number of unique regional specialities, cooking styles and flavours. Lunigiana food is characterised by its simplicity, its freshness and its quality. And of course, the excellent food is served in a wealth of good local restaurants which tend to be very reasonably priced.
The local dishes include the "torta d'erbi" (herb cake), the lamb of Zeri, cinghiale, or wild boar, from the Lunigiana hills, the "Carscenta", a typical bread, the pattona, the spongata, the "bomba di riso" (rice bomb), the "frittini della Lunigiana", the "lasagne bastarde" of Bagnone, the "arbadela", the "coi pien" (stuffed artichokes), testaroli (a type of flat bread served with pesto sauce and local cheese) and the panigacci of Podenzana, cooked in the fire-place in terracotta plates that are put on top of each other. Local chestnuts and mushrooms (funghi porcini) form an important ingredient in many dishes.

About Walking

Without doubt, Lunigiana offers some of the finest walking in the world. Whether you traverse the high mountains of the magnificent Alpe Apuane or Appenine mountains, explore the chestnut woods and meadows of the beautiful valleys or follow the banks of the many rivers and torrents you will have an unforgettable experience. Lunigiana and the Alpe Apuane offer over 250 km of marked trails. Spring and Autumn are the best seasons for hiking in this area. Spring is resplendent with flowers and in autumn chestnuts and mushrooms can be collected (with the appropriate permits of course). Summer also offers glorious walking although it can be a bit too hot for some! Delicious wild raspberries and blueberries abound and these can be enjoyed without restriction. In the mountains long-distance walkers can take advantage of the Refuge (rifugio) system of the Italian Alpine Club which provide shelter to hikers and climbers.

About History

Castles & Forts It is not for nothing that Lunigiana is known as the land of the 100 castles. Indeed, during the middle ages Lunigiana had no less than 160 castles although the ravages of time and war has reduced this figure today. Nonetheless, the region still has the highest concentration of fortified structures in Italy and dozens of these defensive structures are to be found dotted around the area often in magnificent positions. Viano itself is a fortified village on the site of the ancient Viano castle, part of a line of fortifications that protected the ancient Via Francigena trading and pilgrimage route to Rome.