While it takes a little bit of getting to this place, it is beautiful and sublime. Poggio is a small commune set on a hill overlooking the beautiful Serchio Valley. The views from the back porch in this unit are truly spectacular. You can see the valley and the neighboring villages, many of which have hillside fortresses and churches. The drive up to the guest accommodations (there are several at this one address) is through a very narrow cobblestoned lane. We parked at the village church and our host drove our bags up the hill (moderately easy to walk) to our unit. We stayed in #4. Simply but authentically furnished. Very clean and well put together. One flight of steps to the two bedrooms upstairs. All that we needed as a couple for a five day stay. Good for a couple or a couple with two younger children (second bedroom is small). The owners provided an excellent orientation package that they sent when we made our final payment. Good directions, excellent restaurant recommendations (we took several and were never disappointed), and other helpful local info. There is very little in the town of Poggio, but there is a train station (a long walk, better to drive) where you can get a train to Lucca. The nearby villages have good restaurants and are short drives away. Be prepared: this is epic Italian driving. I have lived in both New York City and Los Angeles, and these folks are in a different league than me. The Conad supermarket in Castelnuovo is a great place to provision on your way north, but that is still a 20 minute drive to the property. So that you know, this is not the Tuscany you see on TV with the flat vineyards and the golden brown rolling hills. This is the northern part of the Province at the foothills of the Alps (which are spectacular).. I have been to both places, and I think this is more beautiful. Just me. In any event, I would come back here in a moment. Nice people. Immaculately clean apartment. Beautiful observation decks. Comfortable beds. Modern bathrooms. Everything you need (if you have a car)!

Arrival 21 Sept 2022