After the conclusion of the Sports Tourism Market of Montecatini Terme, now in its 24th edition with 50% more new operators, the focus shifts to the future, aimed at “expanding and increasing the offering,” as emphasized by Dante Simoncini, president of Bts Progetti.
Montecatini Terme is the second municipality in Tuscany by visitor numbers, and the concept of “active tourism” identifies a specific target, steadily growing abroad and in our country. Not coincidentally, declares Simoncini, “niche markets are the ones holding up, and it is becoming increasingly clear that very targeted specialized markets are needed”. The journey continues with exploring the territory and begins a new adventure, which from the sea (Lido di Camaiore) reaches the Apuan Alps (Monte Penna). An unusual and varied route, involving me, for the first time in this part of Tuscany, and my travel companions, mainly foreign tour operators. The first stop, the beach of Lido di Camaiore, where some activities proposed by the ABC (hotel, beach, and merchant association of Lido di Camaiore) are carried out: here we are greeted by the horses of the association Il Cavallo e Noi and the riding stable Il Gufo, for short walks, and windsurfing for the more daring, assisted by instructors from the port-beach of Lido.
The wind-blown beach is nearly deserted and beautiful, stretching dozens of kilometers and very wide; we are in Versilia, an internationally renowned seaside resort, and Lido di Camaiore stands out for its excellent hotel accommodation (Hotel Bracciotti, Piccolo Mondo, Joseph, Piccadilly are the hosting structures) as a peaceful oasis; tree-lined avenues, bicycles, an equipped seafront where you can walk peacefully.
But the sea is only one of the highlights of this territory, rich in natural and historical beauties, accessible in a short time: ancient villages, the nearby Apuan Alps, the Carrara marble quarries, further north the mountains of Garfagnana. Especially for hiking enthusiasts, there is a wide range of options: the hills inland from Camaiore are perfect for enjoying the spectacle of well-preserved villages, visiting small museums, stopping at typical taverns, and tasting local products.
From sea to mountains, the distance is short: so on the second day, after meeting alpine guides and the leaders of the ProRock OutDoor association, the group headed towards the mountains, starting from Candalla and continuing on foot, along an easy trail within the Regional Natural Park of the Apuan Alps. These mountains, distinguished by their unique morphology, steep slopes, narrow valleys, caverns, layered rocks, constitute a genuine natural heritage, full of marked trails and routes. Reaching the slopes of Monte Penna, the participants engaged in a small climb, equipped with technical gear provided by the organization (helmet, climbing shoes, harness) under the watchful eye of the instructors of the Prorock Outdoor group, which also organizes tourist itineraries involving history and art in Camaiore (tel. 0584 1942307).
The well-deserved lunch break took place at the Ostello del Pellegrino, where we finally tasted Tuscan cuisine: a delicious risotto with mushrooms, a cheese and cold cuts platter, bread and oil, paired with robust red wines. In the afternoon, a short walk in the Candalla area allowed us to admire waterfalls and a splendid cliff, although it was impossible to undertake the planned canyoning descent due to the excessive water flow in the streams.
Fortunately, the weather granted us a couple of hours of sunshine while visiting Camaiore, where the Festa Pic was taking place, with stalls and typical local products. The charming town hosts an interesting Sacred Art Museum, which houses furnishings, chalices, paintings, triptychs (14th-16th centuries), and a splendid Flemish tapestry (1516) by Peter di Pannemaker, depicting the Last Supper and attributed to the Brussels manufactory. Also not to be missed is the visit to the Pieve (a splendid example of Romanesque church built on an existing structure) and the archaeological museum.
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