We decided to just hop in the car and explore this beautiful area.  Only 15 minutes down the road we stopped for coffee and dolce at a little bar in Ponte a Moriano. We have stopped there before so we already knew that the coffee and pastries are very good.

Just in case you are wondering, 2 coffees and 2 pastries cost 4 Euro.

After our lovely coffee break we drove for only a few minutes in search of beautiful villas in this area. The first one we came across was without signage so we decided it is possibly a private home.

Then we discovered Villa Grabau.

As we drove up to  the gates, they automatically opened so we drove in and up the driveway.

Villa Grabau definitely deserves its own story so that will come another time

After spending time at the villa we drove up in to the hills to  see what we could find. Although it was another gorgeous day it was very cloudy. The photos would look even better on a clear day.

 

 

 

From the hills we drove back down to the river and stopped at Ponte del Diavalo – Devil’s Bridge.   This medieval bridge was built between 1080 and 1100 and changed its name to Ponte delle Maddalena about 1500. This remarkable engineering which was  created 900 years ago never ceases to amaze me

 

At Ponte del Maddalena we discovered a great pizzeria/restaurant. So, we went in for lunch.  Once we saw the open fire pizza oven we knew we must have pizza.

 

After delicious pizza’s and vino once again it was in the car and more exploring.  We followed signs to a town called Barga. What a remarkable town. We spent so much time at Barga that it will need to be another post.

A panoramic shot of stunning Barga.