Versilia is a territory plenty of treasures to offer its visitors. Not just the well-known beaches that line its very long coastline, but also picturesque villages, trekking routes, historic cities and food and wine itineraries to discover Tuscan specialties.

The Grand Hotel & Riviera in Lido di Camaiore is the ideal starting point to spend a different Mid-August, away from the sea and surrounded by history, art and nature. Here is a series of proposals for your August in Versilia.

Pietrasanta, The Little Athens of Versilia

The first destination to visit is Pietrasanta, also known as “The Little Athens”. It is a town of medieval origin, rich in art and culture.

Its ancient charm has led many to consider it a sort of Athens in miniature. The historic center is full of art galleries, boutiques, churches and buildings, such as the Church of Sant’Agostino, the Torre delle Ore and the Palazzi Moroni and Pretorio.

Not to be missed is the birthplace of Giosuè Carducci, where there are furnishings, souvenirs and illustrative panels relating to the life of the poet and his family.  

The villages of Seravezza, Casoli and Gombitelli

As an alternative to Pietrasanta and other well-known localities near Lido di Camaiore, it is possible to move towards the mountains of the Lucchesia. In fact, set among the Apuan Alps, there are many characteristic villages that hide precious gems of great artistic and cultural value.

An example is Seravezza, so called because it is located at the meeting point between the Serra and Vezza streams. Walking through the town, you can admire the Villa Medicea, the summer residence of the Medici family, and also a series of religious architectures of great artistic impact such as the Pieve di San Martino alla Cappella.

Another village worth visiting is Casoli, located a few kilometres away from Camaiore and not too far from the Grand Hotel & Riviera. It is a village perched on Monte Matanna, famous for the presence of graffiti. It was here in 1954 that the Catanese artist Rosario Murabito moved, who then created a mural that can be admired in the main square. From that moment on, it has become a tradition for many artists to visit Casoli to leave traces of their work on the walls of local houses.

For those who prefer to spend their mid-August in the name of cooking and good food, there is Gombitelli, an ancient village in the municipality of Camaiore perched on Mount Calvario. The town is renowned throughout Tuscany for its cured meats, mainly produced by the Salumificio Artigianale Triglia, whose lard in Versilia competes with that of Colonnata.

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Trekking excursions on the Apuan Alps

Always remaining in the Apuan territory, a more "lively" alternative to the classic village visits is trekking. There are many paths that can be followed in this area, one of the most characteristic is certainly the one leading to the summit of the fascinating Monte Forato. The hole that opens onto the mountain (hence the name “Forato”) offers beautiful views of the nearby towns of Pruno, Cardosso and Volegno.

To get to Monte Forato, you can take the path that opens up from the village, crosses the forest and arrives right under the arch from the thirty-two-meter span. As you climb towards the top of the mountain, the landscape becomes more and more suggestive: barren in the winter months, full of colourful flowers in spring and summer.

Once you have climbed to the top, you can enjoy the spectacle in front of your eyes and admire the nearby Panie, the Versilia coast, the Garfagnana and the Apennines. A unique landscape immersed in the silence that only the mountains can offer.

If you still don't have any plans for Mid-August, choose one of these proposals and set out to discover the beauties of Versilia. The staff of the Grand Hotel & Riviera is always ready to give you advice on unmissable destinations and how to reach them.