In our opinion the Garfagnana is one of the best kept secrets of Italy. Wherever you will go, you will keep discovering new places in this authentic part of Italy. Hike through the nature parks, visit Lucca or Florence and be surprised about the amazing caves in this area.
What to do in the local area?
There are so many places and activities we recommend. You will find our favorites below.
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The village where the campsite is located. By foot you are there in 10 minutes. In Camporgiano there is a supermarket, bakery, laundry, pharmacy and a few restaurants.
Within walking distance of the campsite you will find winery and restaurant Bravi. You can dine under the cozy veranda overlooking the lake. A wine tasting is also certainly worthwhile.
Our favorite pizzeria; Davy's cafe. Also nice to drink an aperitif and the a la carte menu is also very tasty!
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The main city and the heart of Garfagnana, is 10 minutes by car from the campsite. It is a beautiful and lively town where all the people from the surrounding mountains are doing their shopping. Since 1430 a traditional cozy market has been held every Thursday.
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Perched on top of the hill between Lucca and Castelnuovo di Garfagnana is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy; the artists' village Barga. There are several galleries and the cathedral is definitely worth a visit. Several nice restaurants are located in this wonderfull village and in July the famous Barga Jazz has been held for many years. Various bands play throughout the city, very nice!
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A must see! We don’t have to say much more about this city. Florence can also be reached by train from the camping, no traffic jams and parking problems!
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We are a bit in love with this city after years... There is a wonderful relaxed atmosphere and the city is mainly car-free. In addition to the nice shops and little restaurants (ask us about our favorites!), many cultural events are organized every year. Giacomo Puccini was and is Lucca's most famous resident. Festivals in honor of Puccini are still organized every year in the cathedrals of Lucca. July is the month of the big "summer festival". The big artists come to play on the central square of Lucca, which is certainly fun to experience! Another added benefit; from the camping you can easily walk to the train station of Camporgiano. Grab the direct train and enjoy the beautiful ride along the river to Lucca.
An absolute must that deserves a visit in the mountains of the Garfagnana is ‘Grotta del Vento’, one of the most beautiful caves in Europe. The road to there is certainly worth it. On the way to the caves, you will pass the ‘Eremo di Calomini’, a monastery carved out of the mountainside.
Vagli di Sotto and Vagli di Sopra, the oldest villages in the area, are also special places. The Paese Fantasma, also known as the ghost village, is located in the reservoir near these villages. When a dike was built here in the 40s-50s, the residents left their homes, after which the village was swallowed up by the lake.
Only the church tower still protrudes above the water. Every ten years the lake is pumped empty for maintenance work and you will be able to see the drowned village.
Our region is famous about it’s marble. Take a look at one of the quarries to discover ‘how it’s made’ and enjoy the incredible view at great heights. You can book 4x4 tours at various companies.
Not in the mood to enjoy the beautiful nature on your own feet? Discover the area from the back of a horse. Maybe you'll cross the river with them, how cool! There are several riding stables in the area that offer outdoor rides. It is possible for experienced riders to make trips together with Nicky and her Arabian horses. We also have options for kids with little or no experience!
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There are countless hiking trails in the area along the river and through the forest. Muscle pain guaranteed because of our mountainous environment! Around the camping are the most beautiful nature reserves where you can go hiking. On the other side of the river, a 30-minute drive away, you can take various hiking trails in every degree in “Parco dell’Orecchiella”. Amazing in the summer!
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Across the river a 15-minute drive away is Adventure Park “Selva del Buffardello”. The park offers a variety of nature activities. The trail over the tops of the trees is very exciting!
A visit to the old castle Fortezza delle Verrucole on the other side of the campsite is also certainly worthwhile. This beautifully renovated fort is part of the Unesco heritage.
There is also plenty to do for the kids on the campsite; racing through the forest on the quad, sheep herding, swimming with the horses in the river, campfire with marsmellows ... For the dads, the Rancone sports café opens on every F1 race Sunday and for the mothers there are relaxing massages to book.
Weekly markets in the neighbourhood:
Monday – Camporgiano (small)
Thursday - Castelnuovo di Garfagnana (throughout the city)
Wednesday & Saturday - Lucca
Saturday - Barga
Art and Crafts market and Farmer's market:
1st weekend of every month - Castelnuovo di Garfagnana
Antique market:
3rd weekend of every month - Lucca
It is a challenge, but cycling is often done in our environment. Think of a good condition and the right bike. You will find various cycling routes on Komoot. Track your routes and share them with other guests by mentioning Rancone in the title!
The road to the beach is an experience in itself. This leads you over a beautiful mountain road and through hollowed tunnels in the mountain range until you eventually arrive at a beautiful viewpoint over the immense marble quarries and the sea. You can choose from various coastal towns to go to the beach, eg Forte dei Marmi or Marina di Pietrasanta. The beach mainly consists of a single row of beach clubs / restaurants where you can rent beds with umbrellas and usually enjoy a delicious lunch. Four-legged friends are allowed at Beach club Flavio. There are only a few pieces of free beach, eg all the way to the north or the south side of Forte dei Marmi. On the way back it is recommended to have an aperitivo in the town of Pietrasante. This fascinating medieval town is considered the historic capital of Versilia and the capital of marble processing.
Attracting artists from all over the world, the city has transformed over the decades into a true open-air museum where, among the city's many galleries and squares, you can admire a constant and continuously renewed exhibition of top-class contemporary works of art and sculptures.
In less then two hours you will arrive from Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rotterdam or Maastricht Airport at Pisa Airport. Our estate is located only 85 km away from the airport of Pisa. Car rental is easy and possible at particularly low rates at the airport.
Do you prefer to travel by train and enjoy your first trip through the Garfagnana? Rancone Lodges is perfectly accessible through railway from the airport of Pisa. The train station of Camporgiano is situated literally above our terrain where we will pick up you and your luggage.
Other major cities such as Lucca and Florence are also easily accessible by train. You walk to the station of Camporgiano at the top of the camping and get out in the center. No traffic jams, no parking problems! And no worries, the train will not be disturbing during your stay in our lodges.
