Nearest Airport
: Pisa Galileo Galilei
at 52
Kilometres
Nearest Ferry
: Pisa
at 57
Kilometres
Nearest Train
: Lucca
at 35
Kilometres
Nearest Motorway
: Lucca
at 35
Kilometres
Nearest Beach
: beach
at 57
Kilometres
Car: necessary
The village of Casoli rests in a notch on the shoulder of a mountain between the remains of a castle ( circa 1180 AD) on a rocky bluff and a lake in ancient chestnut woods. The castle and village are above Gole di Cocciglia, a gorge cut by the fast flowing River Lima.
Casa Fico lies at the end of the village with wonderful views looking across the river and its valley, to the hilltop villages of Limano and Vico. The winter resort of Abetone is about 45 minutes drive north, great for a few days casual skiing.
In summer its 15 minutes drive south to the pretty riverside town of Bagni di Lucca with its (Roman) Thermal Spa baths and beauty treatments, as well as its six restaurants, numerous cafes and shops. Its 25 minutes further to the walled town of Lucca, you can hire a bike and ride its medieval streets and walls, climb the Guigno Bell Tower crowned by oak trees. An hour puts you in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Florence is further, so make it easy, take the train from Lucca.
Ski: The cottage is near Abetone winter ski resort which is well known all over Italy and virtually unknown in the UK. Abetone is 1400 metres above the sea level, it is set in a splendid National forest. Nice even in summer, with its numerous hill walks. The highest point is Monte Gomito at 1940m.
Ski runs are available in four picturesque valleys: Luce, Sestaione, Lima and Scoltenna. There are numerous ski facilities: 1 cable car, 11 chair lifts (3 fast), 15 ski-lifts, 37 ski slopes, 5 ski schools, 2 cross-country slopes and 20 kilometres of ski slopes are covered by artificial snow-making ensuring skiing. This creates an extensive network of mixed-ability pistes above and below the tree-line.
This resort gets very busy at the weekends because it is so close to Florence however during weekdays it can be very quiet and pleasant. The cottage would suit a mixed party of skiers/non-skiers who want to sight-see and ski.
