About 2 hours north of Florence. This was our “vacation inside our vacation”, a much needed break after going hard for about 10 days previously (Rome, Naples/Pompey/Mt. Vesuvius/Amalfi Coast, Florence/Siena). We spent 4 night/3 days at the resort in Barga.

One day we stayed on resort (it was raining heavily, but we had planned for one down day)

Second day we day-tripped to Pisa. Would have also stopped at Lucca but it was raining hard again.

Third day we just wandered about the small town of Barga.

On our way out of town after checking out we drove to Sommocolonia where there is a small memorial for US troops who defended the town there along the Gothic Line in WWII. One US soldier, John Fox, was eventually (much belated since he was a black soldier), posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his service and bravery.

Down near Pisa/Lucca you can visit the marble mines and workshops.

Also down near Lucca you can do some tours of additional WWII history (bunkers, tunnels, etc).

In the Barga region there you can rent a jeep or other 4x4 and spend a day 4-wheeling in the surrounding mountains.