​Getting TO AL PALAZZ

Al Palazz is half-way between Venice and Rome, in the most northern part of Tuscany called Lunigiana.

The nearest airports are Pisa (1.25 hours, easiest and usually cheapest) or Genoa (1.5 hours). You can also get to Al Palazz within a few hours from cities with airports and stations throughout northern and central Italy.

Some guests twin a restful stay Mochignano with a city break in northern Italy. Rome, Milan, Turin, Venice and Verona are all an easy day's travel away in different directions. The smaller gems of Tuscany and Umbria , such as Modena, Siena, Assisi, Urbino, Orvieto, are equally accessible by train or car. There is easy parking locally at Villafranca-Bagnone, Aulla and Pontremoli stations, from which you can connect with mainline express trains as needed.

We'll send full instructions for arriving by car once you have booked and let us know where you're travelling from. 
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Google maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NgHBn2AqFCQVo41e9 ​

IN THE HEART OF LUNIGIANA

Al Palazz is part of Mochignano Chiesa, a hamlet that sits above the small market town of Bagnone, in the Apennine National Park.

Bagnone sits at the centre of Lunigiana - the name given to the thirteen communes (comune) that make up part of the Massa Carrara province of Tuscany.

​Lunigiana takes its name from the moon (la luna) and the ancient port of Luni. Its symbol is the smiling face on one of the ancient stele (stone monuments or menhirs) found at Verrucola.

Lunigiana is still 'undiscovered Tuscany'. It is intensely rural, although a small amount of tourism exists. It's the land of a million stars and a hundred castles, of small towns and villages set in valleys which run from mountain passes to the sea at La Spezia, and the coast road to Genoa or Rome.

Some people describe it as the place that time forgot. We think it's a place out of time, a small piece of paradise.

on the doorstep

There's always life in the square outside our house. Stone seats provide the perfect place for chatting and watching the world go by. There's a buzz when people come for church or to eat at Al Vecchio Podere, the agriturismo across the square. It is a traditional farm restaurant which locals and our guests love - you'll need to book ahead in summer!

In June and August, Mochignano Chiesa (or Mochignano di Sotto to use its official name) has its own celebration days.

Ten minutes down the lane behind the village takes you to a cool mountain stream with pools just big enough to swim in, and endless opportunities for paddling and dam-building.

Ten minutes up the lane through the village takes you to Mochignano di Sopra, where you can look down onto our rooftops and into the next valley.

A 1.5km drive  takes you into Bagnone, an elegant small market town with small shops, bars and restaurants.  There's also a ball park and great rock pools for jumping and swimming in.

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WITHIN 30 MINUTES

In our local valley, three other small towns are in easy reach. Villafranca has good local shops and a great new ice-cream parlour. The quiet historic town of Pontremoli to the north is worth a visit, especially for its museum of statue stele (menhirs). To the south there’s Aulla, rapidly developing as the modern commercial centre of Lunigiana, with another great ice-cream shop!
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A short drive will also take you to many of the pretty little villages in the Bagnone area, including historic Filetto, Malgrate and Castiglione; and rural Iera, Orturano, Vico and Treschietto.

There are many good restaurants within easy reach. For example take the high road through Collesino to Apella and the stunning Montagna Verde agriturismo! Or enjoy Sunday lunch at La Torre in Malgrate. It's always best to book ahead in summer.