Ponte a Moriano

Just a few kilometers from the splendid city of Lucca is the town of Ponte a Moriano. Technically under the jurisdiction of Lucca, the town sits among the classic Tuscan hills, surrounded by silvery olive trees and rows of grapevines.

It is named for the bridge that crosses the Serchio River, the "ponte". It sits along the river below the hills and in the shadow of the Apuan Alps that rise up to the north in the Garfagnana district. Ponte a Moriano is just 6 miles from Lucca, a fantastic city full of interesting architecture, art and life. The old walls still cradle it protectively, now a three-mile long walkway atop it for leisurely strolls with views. Ponte a Moriano is also only about a half-hour from the beaches of Viareggio. Pisa is also nearby, and the famous marble quarries of Carrara, where Michelangelo and other Renaissance masters got their stone, is reachable, too. There are hot springs in Montecatini Terme, a renowned spa town.

The town of Ponte a Moriano is small but has everything you'll need, including a supermarket, pharmacy, butcher shop, wine shop, gas station, ATM machine, and several restaurants and cafes. It offers easy access in a small-town environment with Tuscan hospitality in a lovely setting.