Question 1

Markets

Accepted Answer

Do you like shopping? The old centers of Lucca, Sarzana, Pietrasanta and Forte dei Marmi have nice boutiques and are worth visiting. Our area also has a broad range of markets where you can buy farmers’ products, fresh fruits and vegetables, clothing, jewelry, house ware and/or antiques. Almost every village has its own market, but these are our favorites.
·       Pontremoli (15 mins drive): Saturday and Wednesday morning in the medieval center.
·       Lerici: (40 min): Saturday morning
·       Forte dei Marmi (45 mins drive): Wednesday and Saturday morning.
·       Pietrasanta (50 min): Antiques, Thursday morning and every 1st Sunday of the month.
·       Lucca (1 hour drive): Antiques market, every 3rd Saturday and Sunday of the month.

Question 2

Places of Interest

Accepted Answer

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Pontremoli
Medieval town, 9 km from Spino Secco. Visit the market on Saturday and Wednesday morning. We recommend drinking a Bianco Oro aperitivo at Bar Luciano and then have lunch or dinner at Taverna All’Oca Bianca or Trattoria da Busse, both are very good.

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Lerici
We love to visit Lerici. It’s only a 45-minute drive away and has all the charm of a
Cinque Terre village without the massive number of tourists. It certainly will be busy
in July and August, so when you want to go, go early in the morning. The medieval
coastal town has a harbor, old city center, bigger beaches and small ones between
the rocks. With the lush hills of the Montemarcello Magra-Vara Regional Natural Park
around and the vista on the Bay of Poets, you have always a great view. When its
not too hot, you can take a nice hike, for instance along the coastline from San
Lorenzo to Lerici or a round trip between Lerici, La Serra and Tellaro. The boulevard
offers many restaurants that serve fresh fish. Our favorite is Cicillo a Mare, just under
the castle (Ciccilloamare.it)

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Lucca
Visit the town of Lucca (1 hour drive, park outside the city wall). There is fabulous antique market the third Sunday of each month. You can walk on the walls around the old center. Inside you’ll find shopping streets, picturesque squares and outdoor cafes.

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Forte dei Marmi
Luxurious beach resort village with top designer shops and classy beach clubs. There is also a public beach. Note: also, here all shops are closed between 1 and 4! We had lunch at Trattoria Tra Stelle and loved it! A 45-minute drive

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Carrara Marble Tour
For around € 12.00 per person, you can take a 50/60-minute tour to the quarry of the
famous Carrara marble at the spectacular basin of the Apuan Alps. You will discover
the fine marbles of Carrara and the history that goes back to the Roman Empire. The
marble kitchen counter in our communal fondo (Dante’s Den) comes from Carrara.
The same place where Michelangelo found his raw material for his statues. You’ll
passing through the steep quarry streets, made famous all over the world also as a
film location. Among the most recent the breathtaking pursuit in the opening of 007
Quantum of Solace. There are many operators of tours, for instance
carraramarbletour.it.

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Pisa
A little bit over an hour drive away you’ll find Pisa. The center is small and cosy. Not to miss is the leaning tower. Maybe you only want the picture, but a tour will learn you more about the history.

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Pietrasanta
A little under an hour away. Lovely medieval village full of artistic and 
exclusive boutiques, beautiful architecture, bars and restaurants.

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Filetto
15 Minutes drive. Medieval walled borgo near Villafranca. Nice square to drink an Aperol spritz. You must park outside the archway leading into the village. Eat dinner at restaurant Convivium. Make a reservation (conviviumventiventi.it)(www.conviviumventiventi.it)

Question 3

Going to the Beach

Accepted Answer

Marina di Massa: closest to home
In an almost straight line, it takes you about a half hour on the highway to reach the nearest Mediterranean beaches of Marina di Massa. There you’ll find both public and private beach clubs on a sandy stretch of about 9 kilometers down to the area called Cinquale. Parking is limited so we highly recommend you leave early (8am). You park along the road across from the beach and pay around 2 euros per hour. At the beach clubs you usually pay for a daily pass and beach chairs/parasols. The public beaches – around 10 in total - are free of charge. Partaccia is one of the largest and Bau beach is one of the smallest free beaches (and the only place that also allows dogs).

La Baia Blu: beach club in a perfect bay
La Baia Blu beach belongs to the town of Lerici but is find next to the beach town San Terenzo, between Punta Santa Teresa and Parco Falconara. Go there early in the morning because parking is a challenge (and not free of charge). The beach is equipped with an array of facilities, restrooms, showers, lounging areas, and restaurants. Baia Blu prices tend to be higher as it is in a lovely bay. A small part is a public beach, but most of the bay is taken by the private club La Baia Blu. Here you have to pay an entrance fee of €7 and around €15 per bed in high season. You must reserve ahead (via ‘prenota’ page at their website – www.labaiablu.it)(www.labaiablu.it).

Versilia: the flagship beaches of Italia
If you love the beach life, take a trip a bit further south, to the Versilia coast. Located in the province of Lucca, this long stretch of sandy beaches and sea have the Apuan Alps in its background. You can spend your time on the beach or walk the splendid boulevards of Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi, enjoying boutique shopping, fresh fish dishes in the restaurants and the nightlife there after. Versilia is the place for discos and clubs such as La Capannina, the Seven Apples and Twiga. Compared to Marina di Massa, the Versilia beaches are more exclusive (and also more expensive).

Levante: the sixth village of Cinque Terre
Levanto is located just above Cinque Terre and is therefore also called the sixth village. There’s a train that brings you in five minutes to Cinque Terre’s Monterosso. But Levanto itself is also great fun! A small center with some shops, cafes and restaurants, cozy streets full of colored buildings and a wide beach with beach clubs on both the left and right. You can rent a bed at a beach club or visit the free beach. The prices of the beach clubs vary, so look further if you think it is too expensive. At Bagni Blue Marlin (recommended!) you pay around €25 for two beach beds, but Bagni ValleSanta will charge around €40 for the same. Looking for a quieter place? Then walk further, past the harbor. There you will find a piece of free beach.

Question 4

Hiking & Biking

Accepted Answer

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You can walk down to the waterfall in our village then turn right. You will find a path on your right-hand side (before fenced in area). Follow it down to the ancient bridge over the river. Pretty walk. It’s a bit challenging to walk back up. But good exercise.

You can also hike up behind restaurant El Caracol. Behind it is a dirt road that goes up to the top of the mountain. After 2 km. there is a little cabin. Behind that a chair you can sit in and look out at Spino Secco and the village of Mulazzo.

There are many more beautiful hiking paths and biking routes in the area.

We walked and biked around a lot ourselves and stored all these tested routes on our Wikiloc-account ‘Spino Secco Hiking & Biking’(https://ca.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/user.do?id=14295704). We suggest that if you want to hike around here, you download the Wikiloc app and start following us.

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Stretti di Giaredo
If it’s really hot, a trip to The Straits of Giaredo is a splendid idea. It’s a canyon, a 20-
minute drive away. You can explore the canyon by walking in and out of the water
and swimming. The nature and surrounding multi-colored rocks are overwhelming.
Beware that the water is freezing cold, even when the temperatures are above 30
degrees Celsius. We have some wetsuits available at Spino Secco, but you could
also consider a guided tour with Segeric.it. They also provide wetsuits. Parking is at
the small village Cavezzana Gordana. Follow the path by foot around 20 minutes to
the start of the canyon. Have a lovely swim!

Question 5

Cinque Terre

Accepted Answer

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Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manorolo and Riomaggiore are the 5 beautiful villages of National Parc Cinque Terre. Go during the week, because it will be crowded. Especially during the summer months. Parking near the villages is limited so taking a train or ferry is a better option. Parking is possible at La Spezia train station (40 km. from Spino Secco). From there you can take a 7-minute trainride to Riomaggiore. You could also drive to Pontremoli (10 km. from us) and take a train from there. At Cinque Terre you can hike from village to village or travel to the next one by boat or train.

Question 6

Restaurants

Accepted Answer

We have 3 restaurants within walking distance of Spino Secco. In the summer we suggest you make a reservation. We are always happy to help you with reservations. Most restaurants do not open for dinner until after 7pm.

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Pizzeria All’Isola Felice is directly across the street from Spino Secco. It is open in lower season Thursday-Sunday 7pm to 10pm/ Tuesday – Sunday in high season. The pizza is homemade, baked in a wood oven and excellent, even Marietta's dog, Billie loves it!
It is a very popular spot. Tel: (+39) 0187439418.

El Caracol is year-round open on every day but Tuesdays 7pm-11pm. Family driven restaurant. On walking distance up a driveway to the left of the pizzeria. It has a nice outdoor terrace with a fabulous view overlooking Mulazzo. They offer Spanish & Italian food. They are famous for their paella, loved for their local Lunigiani food and seafood dishes.
Tel: (+39) 0187439707

Enoteca “La Luna Brilla”, is a wine bar that also has a limited dinner menu. You must make a reservation at least the day before to eat there. They serve the best pasta carbonara in the region.
In the high season it is open Thursday-Sunday 9am-1am. Lower season is open only on the weekends.
Tel: (+39) 3401459190

Restaurants a little bit farther away

Locanda Antico Mulino, Piazza S Giovanni 1, Villafranca. About 15 minutes from Spino Secco. 
Open for lunch at 11:30, Dinner at 7:15. Closed on Tuesday. Phone: 339 6391937. Traditional food from our region. Wonderful dishes with truffles when in season, delicious desserts.

Ca’ di Rosso (Loc. Busatica, direction Pozzo) has a very nice terrace and the best
Panigacci we tasted. Panigacci are a sturdy kind of bread, baked on clay platters on
fire. You eat them directly and hot with toppings like cheese, meat or grilled
vegetables. It’s a speciality from our Lunigiana region and when here, you should try
hem. Make a reservation! In the summer they are open during the week and
weekends, te rest of the year only in the weekends. On Sunday you can also lunch
there. Agriturismocadirossi.it / 349 5912249

Taverna all’Oca Bianca, within the old town of Pontremoli, is one of our favorite
restaurants. They serve the best dishes with fresh tartufo (truffle), and we also love
their deserts (dolce). Waitress Julia speaks English. They are open from 12:30 for
lunch and after 19:30 for dinner. Make a reservation! 0187 833219.

Osteria da Bussé 1930, also within the old town of Pontremoli, is also a favorite.
This restaurant has the best Testaroli di Pesto we tasted. Testaroli are a kind of
spongy pasta that is prepared te way the Etruscans did it (before the Roman Empire
existed). We like the honesty and freshness of the food in Da Bussé and we love the
beautiful atmosphere inside. Book a table and call: 340 7465839.

Convivium (VentiVenti) in the lovely borgo of Filetto (direction Bagnone) we like
too. The food is inspired by typical Lunigiana dishes, but they give them their own
twist. And all is fresh and seasonal. The restaurant has a nice terrace that is located
on the medieval Piazza dell’Immacolata inside the historic walled village.
Recommended! Book via the site: conviviumventiventi.it (conviviumventiventi.it)

Beach Area Restaurants

Ristorante Lorens is a casual seafood restaurant located right at the beach in
Marina di Massa. With a nice terrace on the beach. Nice and friendly family runs the
place. All we ordered we liked, especially the lightly fried fish and vegetables. Book a
table online: ristoranteLorens.it (ristoranteLorens.it)

Trattoria Pipino is a pasta and seafood restaurant at the beach of Marinella di
Sarzano. Famous for its mussels. They have a big terrace outside. Busy with locals.
Real Italian atmosphere so therefor we like it. Book a table by calling: 0187 64348

Trattoria Tre Stelle in exclusive beach town Forte dei Marmi is a fancy restaurant
we recommend. In the center near the Prada, Louis Vuitton and other exclusive
shops. The place is a bit of a splurge, but you won’t be disappointed. Fabulous wine
list, elegant seafood and pasta dishes. 0584 80220

Cicillo a Mare, located in the seaside port of Lerici. By far one of the most spectacular settings on the sea! Cicillo a Mare is perched on the  south side of the Castle. Park in Lerici and walk through the tunnel under the castle on the hill. The food gets mixed reviews but the views are breathtaking! Ciccilloamare.it;((Ciccilloamare.it).) 0187 968191

Question 7

Boating

Accepted Answer

Our favorite day away is taking a boat out to the sea and exploring the Golfo dei Poeti. This dazzling gulf south of Cinque Terre is dotted with colorful rocky coast, small beaches, turquoise coves and pastel villages above the blue glittering Mediterranean. Once we met with dolphins coming to our boat. With poets and writers like Shelley, Lawrence, Byron and Montale before you, we are sure this Golfo will inspire you too. 
We have two suggestions for you. 
·       Rent a boat. Without a boating license, you can take a 6-persons zodiac with a 40 hp motor out to sea. Take the boats along the coast, passing Tellaro and Lerici. Moor before 12:00 in the harbour of Portovenere for lunch. After that you can anchoring here and there around the islands to lay in the sun and swim. 
Enrico and Sylvia of Fiumaretta Noleggiare (Via del Pilota 33, Fiumaretta di Ameglia – tel: +39-380 866 3934). They speak English. Rental: €250 per day and + €50 for gas.
·      Take a HopHopBoat tour from La Spezia. For instance, a full day tour to Cinque Terre or a shorter Sunset Boat Tour across the Golfo during the golden hour. Passing all the highlights and enjoy an Italian aperitivo while watching the sun go down. Book via www.hophopboat.com (http://www.hophopboat.com/)(or +39 3515220103). Costs: from + 60 euro. If you book via us, you get a discount of 10%. Enter the Coupon Code PODERE10 when booking.

Question 8

Ayurveda Massage

Accepted Answer

Make your holiday even more relaxing and book an Ayurveda massage with specialist Laura Campodonico (Italian/English), here at Spino Secco. We both go regularly for treatment, because it relaxes us and gets us into balance. Ayurveda uses essential oils and focusses on specific points in the body. During the treatment your energy fields are manipulated which sometimes results in freeing emotional burden. Costs: circa €70 per hour.

Question 9

Groceries

Accepted Answer

There is a bakery, butcher, gelato shop, pharmacy & a grocery store in the nearby town Arpiola, 2 km from Mulazzo/Spino Secco. The grocery shop is called La Bottega di Emma (via della Liberazione 1).
Opening hours are: 7:45am-1pm and 4:30-7:30pm. Sundays: 9am-12pm.

There are larger grocery stores in Pontremoli and Villafranca. At 7km, Conad in Villafranca is closest.
Opening hours: 8am-8pm. Sundays: 8am-1pm; 4-8pm.

Question 10

Pizza Class/Wine Tasting

Accepted Answer

If you want to learn how to make pizza, we ask our friend Luigi of Pizza for Passion to come to Spino Secco to teach us using our own pizza oven. Wine included €45 pp. (minimum 6 people).

Furthermore, Kristin is a certified sommelier who loves to share her knowledge and splendid taste of Tuscan wines. Upon request, we organize weekly a small wine and local food tasting event. Costs: €35 pp. (minimum 6 people).

Cosa fare nei dintorni di Spino Secco