Lunigiana: borderland of ancient castles and surprising nature, as well as the stage of our journey between Tuscany and Liguria, between sea and mountains.
Our eco-friendly holiday in Lunigiana
To discover Lunigiana, we chose as our starting point a few eco-friendly places immersed in nature, where the stay itself becomes part of the travel experience.
Campo di Luna: An Organic Farm Stay Between Hills and Sea
At 300 meters above sea level, on the hills of Sarzana, Campo di Luna welcomes guests in a very special location. The house, extremely efficient from an energy point of view, is surrounded by olive trees and fields where the hosts grow fruit plants, blackberries, raspberries, flowers, and vegetables of all kinds with sustainable practices. A little further on, there we can see a blue expanse: here we can experience all the beauty of the countryside, looking at the sea.
The room is comfortable, and we also have large common areas both inside and outside the house. For breakfast and dinner, we can taste the delicacies produced on site.
Luniluna: Nature, Creativity and Wellbeing
Among the most authentic villages of :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}, you will also find Luniluna, an eco-friendly retreat that blends hospitality, creativity, and wellbeing. Set in an ancient stone farmhouse within a small village surrounded by greenery, Luniluna is an ideal choice for a sustainable and regenerative holiday in Tuscany, far from mass tourism.
The property, restored using natural and reclaimed materials, offers different types of accommodation, from a private house to a Bed & Breakfast formula with a shared kitchen. Outside, the orchard, woodland and stream create the perfect environment to relax, walk, take part in workshops or simply find new inspiration.
Il Tempo del Borgo: Half an Hour from the Cinque Terre, Yet Worlds Away
Among the sustainable hospitality experiences in Lunigiana, there is also Il Tempo del Borgo, a project born from the desire to recover simpler, more authentic, and respectful ways of living.
It is cared for by Anna and Luca, a couple of doctors who chose to leave their profession early in order to live in a micro-village in Tuscany, home to fewer than twenty people, far from the circuits of overtourism and immersed in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines.
The village is in a special position: in about half an hour, you can reach both the Cinque Terre National Park and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park. These are two much-loved and often crowded places, but from here they become a starting point for reflecting on a different way of travelling: slower, less crowded and more mindful.
Here, sustainability is made of daily gestures: permaculture, composting, a biodynamic vegetable garden irrigated by the stream, gathering edible wild herbs and self-producing eggs, bread, herbal teas, infused oils, soap and small objects made from natural fibers. In the two holiday homes, electricity comes from renewable sources, recycled paper and organic cotton are used, and in the kitchen single-use items and single portions have been eliminated, reducing plastic to a minimum.
Several walking trails and cycling routes start from the village, including the historic Via Marchesana, the Castagna Bike route and the Trekking della Lunigiana trail. Guests also have access to an e-bike charging station and a book-crossing point.
Here, a holiday is not meant to be just a stay, but an opportunity to truly slow down: to walk, observe, get to know the territory and rediscover a more human rhythm.
What to see in Lunigiana
Now is the time to discover all the beauty of Lunigiana. This land, which takes its name from the ancient Roman colony of Luni (of which a beautiful archaeological site remains), today identifies itself with the Magra valley and the surroundings, in a territory that embraces different types of environments, a rich biodiversity and a character that is the perfect synthesis of different cultures and traditions.
Castles surrounded by greenery, fascinating caves, elegant villages: where to start? Surely you cannot miss a visit to the suggestive Pontremoli, surrounded by hills and mountains. Getting there is like traveling back in time, both for its medieval bridges and for the Piagnaro Castle, which houses the Museum of Stele Statues, beautiful anthropomorphic sculptures that represent the most important testimony of prehistoric Lunigiana.
Also you must see the natural caves located in the medieval village of Equi Terme, also famous for its thermal baths. It is a fascinating and extensive underground karst system, shaped over the millennia by the action of water. Walking among caves, tunnels, stalactites and underground lakes is a truly suggestive experience.
Among the many villages that dot the Lunigiana, we have chosen Castelnuovo Magra with its typically Ligurian pastel colors, Sarzana with the Firmafede fortress wanted by Lorenzo Il Magnifico. We also visit Colonnata, surrounded by greenery and famous for its tasty lard.
There is still so much to see, including castles, rivers and villages, but we certainly can’t miss the Carrara marble quarries.
Typical produces and local specialties
Spending a holiday in Lunigiana means enjoying its unique views, but it also means enjoying its food and wine heritage. The territorial diversities of Lunigiana translate in fact into an unparalleled gastronomic richness. Lunigiana honey was the first Italian honey to obtain the DOP mark and therefore we certainly must taste it. Then there is the typical chestnut flour, the Zeri potato and the Bigliolo bean. Among the recipes we recommend the testaroli with pesto, the panigacci of Podenzana and also the spongata, a great dessert.
The best itineraries in Lunigiana
This rich and fascinating land hides beautiful paths and itineraries among its woods and ridges. The Via Francigena also passes here, in the first Tuscan stage of the pilgrimage. On foot, by mountain bike, to be done in a few hours or to be covered slowly throughout the journey. We have endless possibilities. For those who have time available, we recommend the Lunigiana Trail, a MTB route that allows you to discover all the beauty of this territory in 230 truly exciting kilometers, crossing valleys, streams and medieval villages with the company of the Apuan Alps.
Starting from the Pieve di Sorano towards Filattiera you can reach the Martinello. On the other hand, if you prefer to walk, we recommend the CAI 00 path, in the mountains of Pontremoli. It connects the Bratello Pass and the Borgallo Pass. You can also choose the CAI 116 path which leads you to Bagnone springs.
The Luxury of Taking Your Time
Among chestnut woods, medieval roads, stone villages and landscapes suspended between sea and mountains, Lunigiana is a perfect destination for those looking for a sustainable and authentic holiday.
Its charm lies not only in the places to see, but in the way it invites you to experience them: with slowness, respect and curiosity.
Because sometimes the real journey is not about going far away, but about finding the right time to inhabit a place, even if only for a few days.
Agriturismo Campo di Luna – Green Farm house in Sarzana, La Spezia, Liguria, IT 
Luniluna Home - nel cuore della Lunigiana – Green Country House in Bagnone, Province of Massa and Carrara, Tuscany, IT 
