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
