In this episode guest blogger Bill Auge concludes his ‘Italian Journey’ series with a visit to our home town, Pontremoli in Lunigiana.

“… a walk along the country lanes…” Photo: Bill Auge

We’re back on the rails again heading northwest toward the northern reaches of Toscana.  This time we’re moving at a more leisurely pace through the countryside and pass towns in pastel tones.  Along the way the train stops at Pisa and Massa, where we can see the Carrara marble quarries up in the mountains and huge blocks of marble in storage yards near the tracks.
As our journey continues the train gradually empties of its passengers until only a few remain when we finally reach our destination, Pontremoli. There to meet us are Geoff and Serena who have extended an invitation to visit, and we’ve taken them up on it.  After 10 days of fighting crowds and visiting museums this region of Italy is a great place for some relaxation. 
Serena and Geoff are as warm and pleasant as they appear to be in their blog and they were wonderful host as they showed us the sites and small towns of Lunigiana and welcomed us into their home, where we met their famous 7 cats.

“… the small village of Previdè” Photo: Bill Auge

Our accommodation, a B&B called Eremo Gioioso (Joyful Hermit), is in the small village of Previdè, which is reached by a narrow road with hair pin turns higher up in the mountains.  It is a beautiful place to stay and the proprietors Marco and Marzia welcomed us as if into their own home.  In the morning we would wake to the sound of birds and hear the pop of gunfire from hunters in the distance, and after a delicious breakfast take a walk along the country lanes, breathing in the fresh mountain air.  We would see elderly women doing their chores, farmers tending their vineyards and have the thrill of looking into a mountain stream so clear we could see the bottom.  Here in Lunigiana you sense the rhythm of Italian life.  In these picturesque medieval towns the pace is slower, the people more connected to the landscape and English is seldom spoken.

Victoria crosses Piazza Fatebenefratelli, Filetto. Photo: Bill Auge

The time to say good bye to our friends Geoff, Serena, Marco and Marzia arrived all too soon as we boarded a train for Bologna.  The true wonder of travel is not the great art and history you encounter, it’s the connections you make with people. Usually they are brief exchanges of kindness and understanding where you know lives have been touched in a lasting way.  Other times true friendships are formed.

From left to right: Serena, Geoff, Marco, Bill, and Victoria at Il Girasole pizzeria, Pontremoli. Photo by Marzia

Arriverderci Italia, ci vediamo presto.