Testimonials

  I like to call Barga, Italy, Brigadoon, after the magical city of the film. Barga is one of those gems you can't help returning to. Tucked into the Tuscan hills,... read more 45 minutes by car from Lucca, this medieval city has a plethora of restaurants and B&B's, villas and apts. to rent, a vibrant summer Jazz festival, a stunning Cathedral within the medieval walled old city, English speakers for those who tread the language waters with trepidation and views galore. You can take walking paths (sentieri) through the hills and ravines, expecting gnomes to pop out any moment or walk or jog paved roads that wind into the beautiful hills. One such is where the photo posted was taken from. There is even a beautiful resort nearby, IL Ciocco, currently run by Marriott Renaissance Resorts, where you can be pampered, swim, ride horses or enjoy the restaurant, bar and other amenities. It is absolutely worth the trip!

  Having just returned to Australia from our visit to Italy, I have to say of all the places we went and all the things we did, the highlight was definitely... read more our week or so in Barga, as guests of Tuscany Walking. Our accommodation was at the most hospitable Franka's Agriturismo, run by Franka herself and her son Lucca who were both delightful and sooo incredibly warm and welcoming that before long we felt like extended family - despite the obvious language barries! Franka's evening meals were the best we tasted in Italy too by the way.... and for a gluten free, dairy free fuss-pot like myself that's saying something! The weather was perfect for our stay which enhanced the walking experience by providing us with the most gorgeous and spectacular vistas. The word "wow" kept slipping from our lips - truly breathtaking scenery. Our guides Anne and David were lovely - easy going, lots of fun and totally flexible and in terms of what we wanted to get out of our walking experience. Our group was small - just four of us and as we all got on terrifically well, making any associated decisions really easy. As the week went by the walks just got better and better (not giving away any secrets here - you need to see for yourself!); suffice to say that over the duration we covered various terrains from wooded valleys, meandering river valleys, hilltop villages and high Apuan Alpine country. The pace wasn't too hard going despite the heat - worth considering if what you're after is a major hard-core workout - but for us it was perfect (it was a holiday after all!) and each incorporated about 5 or so hours walking with a delicious and leisurely packed lunch along the way (provided courtesy of Jan - thank you!). Every afternoon on returning from a walk we had a few hours to wind down, kick back and cool off in the sparkling pool at the agriturismo before heading either into Barga for some traditional Italian fayre (be warned there can be just too much food on offer!) or even better as provided by Franka with her wonderful culinary skills and knowledge. Northern Tuscany doesn't fit the archetypal vision that most people think of as Tuscany; it is far more dramatic and we felt breathtaking and less touristy than other areas. Jan is running a fantastic business here and we hope it goes from strength to strength - and I for one would be back for more tomorrow if I could be!

  This is a great city about 45 minutes outside of Florence. The city is full of history, churches, towers and shopping. Point of interest is that Puccini was born... read more in this city. Our guide did an excellent job of explai8ng the history of this lovely city.

  For my first solo trip abroad this couldn't have been better. Picked up at Pisa Airport, taken to our lovely farmhouse accommodation, given fantastic food all week (thank you... read more to the amazing Franca and the local restaurants!) some brilliant walking with the lovely David and Anne and returned to the airport in plenty of time for my flight home. No worries, no stress. Even my gluten free requirement was not a problem. Thank you all.

  Graziano (Rocky) Angelini, a friend I made in distant Guatemala, introduced me to his native Barga, a small picturesque medieval town, hard to find on the map, nestled somewhere in... read more the western parts of Tuscany, in the whereabouts of Lucca and Pisa, but nestled high in what I learned to be the Apuane Mountains (Alpi Apuane). Yes, I admit, most of the literature refers to a hill-top town, but in fact, for a native flatlander from Holland, Barga could just as well be described as perched on a mountain-top. Therefore too, this is a travel destination calling for people of solid underpinnings, better yet, mountain climbing stamina. Much of Barga is not accessible by cars, instead, to get to know the small town, narrow alleys and tight staircases have to negotiated, leading from one level of this terraced town to the next, up to Barga's crowning glory, an ancient Cathedral or Duomo, sitting right on the top of this mountain burgh. Totally in character with the old church, on Sunday morning’s, the Duomo’s mighty church bells swing into action, wake up the valleys way below, reminding locals and visitors alike of a venerable tradition on the endangered species list in too many parts of the so-called advanced world. Yes, Sunday morning – in Barga - I decided to do the right thing. Possibly for reasons of my Catholic childhood memories, but also to savor the atmosphere of Mass in a small town in Italy, I went to church. The service turned out quite well attended – old, but also a good many younger faces. So far, so good!

Now to Barga’s second claim to fame! It is the surprising connection of this small medieval mountain town to the cities and industries of Scotland, where many a Bargan native, including my fore-mentioned friend, Rocky Angelini, over the years migrated - for livelihood, for new lives – one, two, or already three generations ago. As a result, amazingly, Barga has become “Il Borgho piu scozzese d'Italia”, and the nearest thing Scotland has to a colony in Italy. Why? Many of the native sons and daughters, having married, having created families in Scotland, they - and their offspring - have become frequent visitors to Barga, prodigal sons and daughters, reconnecting with old roots, long cultivated nostalgias, fueling the old economy in the process. This combination of authentic medieval Italian glory, blended in with Mother Nature’s inspiring mountain views, and Italian-Scottish connections in totally unexpected quarters, such alone would make this a pretty unique and interesting place to get to know.

  We are a group of nine friends who like to walk, play bridge, eat good food and enjoy good weather in beautiful surroundings, and our holiday with Tuscany Walking met... read more our requirements to perfection. All arrangements worked like clockwork and Jan was attentive, flexible and helpful throughout, whether it was organising a rather complicated double pick-up, or guiding us personally to a restaurant in Barga for our 'day off' meal, or being available as a translator. We stayed in an 'agriturismo' run by Franca and her son Luca, in large, characterful rooms, and ate her delicious and generous Italian home cooking, sitting on benches at a long table under the trees in the courtyard. We felt we were living the dream of Italian family life! Luca was also most helpful and attentive in meeting our needs, and good company. After a hot day of walking it was a delight to return to Franca's and to swim in the pool, with views of the valley and mountains beyond. The walks were led by Tony, a lovely and interesting man who has lived in Italy for 20 years or more and knows the area inside out. He took us on a very enjoyable and varied programme which he adapted with much thoughtfulness to the temperature and the needs of our group, and it was wonderful to explore this beautiful part of Tuscany, ignored by most foreign visitors. On our last morning Tony turned up with a hat lost earlier in the week by one of our number, which he had been out specially to find - typical of him, and of the kind attention we received throughout this very successful and enjoyable holiday.

  I had the most amazing holiday walking in the Tuscan area of Barga.
My guides Anne and David could not have been nicer and very knowledgable about the area. My... read more accommodation was lovely at L'agriturismo Franca a rustic cottage with swimming pool surrounded by mountains. Jan of Tuscany walking made sure my holiday was stress free and enjoyable and included lots of good food and vino.
Would definitely recommend this to anyone thinking of having a walking holiday in Italy.

  I too, stayed at the Renaissance up there and was taking the trail down into Barga. Except I got lost. I didn't understand the arrows. However, it... read more was the best lost experience I ever had. I captured one of the most beautiful pictures of my entire Italy trip while stopping to try to figure out where I was. And it was one of those moments that you did not give a damn about being lost wandering around Tuscany.

Best Diane Lane moment Under The Tuscan Sun Style. 🙂

  Walk through the cobbled streets (preferably in comfortable shoes). Lucca is primarily pedestrianised (the locals walk or travel by bicycle). The place oozes history on every street corner.... read more />
Also plenty of expensive shops to absorb yourself in if you wish. Great gelato ice cream!

  This was our second holiday with Tuscany Walking staying at Tiglio. The accommodation is very good and after a days walking the swimming pool with good views over the valley... read more is a great place to relax. The guided walks with Jan and Umberto or with Tony are very well organised and they provide a lot of fascinating information about the history and culture of the area. The scenery on the walks is very varied with fantastic views and were a perfect distance every day. Jan's substantial packed lunches were full of home produced products. Going into Barga each evening to eat was very enjoyable as the restaurants that we had to chose from all served top quality food. All in all for a great walking holiday in a quieter part of Italy we can not think of a better place to go. Look forward to our next visit.

  I had not visited this part of Tuscany before, and I will definitely be going back. The mountain scenery is stunning, and the towns of Barga and Lucca represent Italy... read more at its best. We have lovely memories of cobbled streets, piazzas and gelateria. Our idyllic walks through the countryside were filled with birdsong, bees and the scent of jasmine. Our hosts bent over backwards to tailor the holiday to suit our needs and interests. Their knowledge of the local area enabled us to gain a real taste of Italy. The food was so delicious that we needed to walk to burn off all the calories. I can understand why people who visit this area never want to leave...

  9 of us stayed at a very attractive farm property just outside Barga, Agriturismo "ll Musaccio. on a bed, breakfast, evening meal and packed lunch basis. All prepared by Franca,... read more the mother of the property manager Lucca. The food was as they would normally prepare on a day to day basis and was both delicious and varied. Both Franca and Lucca looked after us with warmth and attention. Their friendliness was real and addictive. Tuscany Walking through the owner Jan had identified this property for us and also arranged a guide, a local artist, Tony. The 6 walks arranged and guided by Tony were very well managed through some of the most beautiful countryside in this part of Tuscany. Jan and her daughter was very attentive and ensured that we were being looked after and resolved any queries we had. Jan also arranged for local transport both taxis and trains to ferry us to and from the various starts of our walks as required, in addition to the airport. My friends played bridge prior to dinner but I practised the ukulele apart from the "free" day when Lucca arranged to take me fly fishing with him on the Serchio river. Unfortunately the trout weren't taking but the beauty of the river valley and exploring the river by wading with sandals was incredible parenthesised by a typical breakfast in a village bar and a very nice two course working mens lunch in a local village for 10 euros which was delicious.

  This is a very different holiday. Great base, small groups, guided walks and flexible itinerary with amazing hospitality. Do as much or as little as you like!

  I would highly recommend walking in Italy with Tuscany Walking. Jan runs a very efficient company with the personal touch where nothing is too much trouble. The accommodation and meals... read more provided were a home from home and we were made very welcome by Franca and her son Lucca. Our walking guide, Tony was extremely knowledgeable about the local area but also very in tune with people and adapted the walks to suit the needs of the group. Overall this holiday was stress free, a lot of laughs and very enjoyable, I would certainly return.

  The walking is from moderate to challenging but the forests are the most beautiful I have seen in my life and the lofty limestone alps breathtaking. We have seen a... read more myriad of bird and insect species, badgers, moles, foxes, snakes and lizards. There are Mouflon but have yet to see them.

  We set out to hike from the Renaissance Ciocco to the town of Barga (downhill!)...what a treat...met people along the way plus fig and plum trees. There are a... read more number of Scots who have 2nd homes here. Took us a little over an hour at a leisurely pace...don't miss it if you like to hike

  Within one hour, we walked the path through the woods to cross the valley and arrive in Barga. The path was well marked and the trip took us along... read more the edge of villages, olive groves and vineyards.

  We just loved this whole experience. The walks, with friendly and knowledgeable walking guides, were outstanding and were well chosen for our level of fitness - a little challenging but... read more with enormous rewards. The accommodation was delightful and we were made to feel so welcome by Luca; we thoroughly enjoyed the local food and wine, all cooked in the traditional way with fresh ingredients by Luca's mother, Franca. We can't imagine there are better walking experiences on offer in Tuscany.

  A group of nine descended on Jan and were immediately given a Liverpudlian/Italian welcome that continued to impress throughout the week. Marvellous walks, fantastic food, sunshine and local wines all... read more combined to make the perfect walking/Bridge holiday. But it is the warmth and generosity Franca, son Lucca and ever patient walking guide Tony that was so very much appreciated. All in all a wonderful week! Thank you to all.