Discovering Lunigiana Italy – Monti Guesthouse, North Tuscany

Last Updated on November 2, 2021

Monti Guesthouse, the perfect base for exploring Lunigiana, North Tuscany

As lockdown lifts Brits are travelling back to better-known parts of Tuscany like Florence, Siena and the Chianti region.  Lunigiana, the land of the moon, is a part of Northern Tuscany that remains below the radar, a secret Italians like to keep to themselves.  But the best secrets deserve to be shared – and we’d like to introduce you to this hidden treasure. To start, the name of the region is thought to come from the particular beauty of the moon when framed against the unique mountain peaks.  And, the beautiful north Tuscan countryside, framed by the Apuan Alps and the Apennine mountains, is well worth exploring.  Keen to find out more?  We went to stay at Monti Guesthouse which provides the perfect base for singles, couples or families with comfortable and stylish accommodation on a B & B basis in the quiet village of Monti di Licciana Nardi in Northern Tuscany.

The property has been loving restored by its owners, Barbara and Susan, who bought the house in 2019. Wherever possible they have retained the original features, with stunning frescos on the ceilings, original floor tiles and traditional wooden panelling, adding to the character of the property. There are three double bedrooms, all with their own ensuite bathroom, as well as a separate self-catering apartment with its own entrance that sleeps up to four people.

Antique furniture, in keeping with the age of the house, is found in all the bedrooms and communal areas while beautiful chandeliers hang from the ceilings. The bathrooms are modern, well equipped with showers and clean, with plenty of towels provided.  In the summer when the pool is open, additional pool towels are also supplied.

A coffee station in the entrance hall allows guests to make beverages during the day. Breakfast is continental style with tea or coffee, juice, fresh fruit, ham, cheese, bread and brioches. On a sunny day, breakfast can be taken on the terrace, otherwise, it is served in the roomy breakfast room. Wine, prosecco, and other drinks can be purchased to enjoy whilst relaxing in the garden or on the terrace. 

The views from the terraces, there are two, are stunning with the Tuscan hills and mountains stretching into the distance. The well-tended garden is spacious with shady seating areas and a swimming pool.

The apartment, formerly used as the village schoolhouse, has all the facilities needed for self-catering guests who can also choose to have breakfast from the main guesthouse.

The apartment has a large, open plan kitchen, breakfast room and seating area with cooking facilities, microwave and fridge. There are two bedrooms,  one double bedroom and another bedroom with twin beds perfect for a family of four.

Free parking is available in the Piazza Pieve less than a minute away from the guesthouse. Free Wi-Fi, with excellent connection, is provided throughout the property.

When the sun sets and the moon shines brightly in the night sky you can see why the area is renowned for its magnificent moon.

The village of Monti is very peaceful; everything you need is close at hand including a bank, chemist, hairdresser, petrol station and café, as well as several restaurants serving reasonably priced local cuisine.

Perched on the hill overlooking the village of Monti di Licciana Nardi is the castle, Castello di Monti or Castello Malaspina.  It’s a short walk uphill from the guesthouse but worth the effort, with stunning views over the countryside when you reach the top of the hill A beautifully preserved castle, it’s still lived in today but is open to the public for guided tours which need to be booked in advance.

The surrounding area, with its rolling wooded hills, is beautiful; there are numerous hilltop villages and towns, many with their own castle or “Castello” reaching into the sky. During the Middle Ages, there were 160 castles in Lunigiana due to its strategic location, many of which have survived until the present. Take a trip to Bagnone, a typical Tuscan town with narrow streets, an old stone bridge spanning the river and a castle overlooking the town.

The town of Fosdinovo, around an hour away by car is high on a hilltop with breathtaking views over the countryside towards the coast. The medieval castle, Castello di Malaspina Fosdinovo, dominates this small town which also has several gorgeous churches. Caprigliola, another hilltop village, is worth exploring with beautifully preserved houses lining the narrow streets, it was a favourite place of the famous poet, Dante Alighieri otherwise known as Dante.

Further afield, in the province of La Spezia, around an hour by car away from Monti di Licciana Nardi is the port of Portovenere situated on the Ligurian sea. This port is a perfect place to sample freshly cooked fish in one of the open-air restaurants by the harbour.

Take a walk up to the ruined castle which has fantastic views over the sea and the Gulf of the Poets, named after Lord Bryon, Mary Shelley, D H Lawrence and Virginia Woolf amongst others who frequently visited the area or chose to live there.

Hiking is well catered for in Lunigiana and North Tuscany with the Via del Volto Santo, an ancient pilgrimage route starting in Pontremoli and stretching to Lucca, around one hundred and fifty kilometres away. The Via Francigena, a pilgrim’s route starting in Canterbury and ending in Rome has fifteen stages in Tuscany.

Lunigiana is definitely well worth visiting as an alternative or in addition to the more well known Tuscan cities of Florence, Siena and Lucca.  There is plenty to do discovering its medieval villages, castles and spectacular countryside and it’s an excellent place to unwind and relax. The Monti Guesthouse is in a great location for exploring all that the area has to offer or for a relaxing holiday. The accommodation is spotlessly clean and the British owners friendly and welcoming.

Tuscany is very hot in summer and can be crowded when the Italians take their summer holidays so you may find the best months to visit are April and May or September and October.

The nearest airport to Monti di Licciana Nardi is Pisa, roughly an hour away by car, with Florence around one hour and forty-five minutes. The closest train station is Aulla, ten minutes by taxi.

Monti Guesthouse
Via Pieve 9
Monti de Licciana Nardi
54016 MS
Tuscany
Italy

Tel:  +39 392 345 1861, +39 339 777 7531

Enquiries: montiguesthouse@outlook.com

For more information and rates visit: Monti Guesthouse

 Check our feature on Lucca for more about Northern Tuscany