Trees and floraHiking
Laurus Nobilis: Bay Laurel in Tuscan Landscapes
Discover Laurus nobilis (bay laurel) in Tuscany: identification, culinary uses, and where to find wild bay forests on Monte …
The Journal
Journal
Field notes from the Tuscan Apennines: trails, mushrooms, birds, light, and the slow craft of reading a landscape.
HikingPhotography
Carrara Marble Quarries: How to Visit
How to visit the Carrara marble quarries by jeep or inside a tunnel quarry, and the marble road I walk on foot at Corchia, on …
HikingHidden Tuscany
Lucca Aqueduct: The Nottolini Walk & Sundial
The Lucca Aqueduct (the Nottolini) is a train-accessible walk past 460 arches and one of the world's longest sundials. Here's how …
Hiking
Prato Hiking Guide: Wild Trails 20–80 Min Away
From Prato, mountain wilderness starts 20 minutes away. A local guide to wild horses, glacial lakes, and ancient forests near the …
Hiking
Cammino di San Jacopo: Tuscany's Hidden Pilgrimage
Walk the Cammino di San Jacopo from Florence to Livorno: about 172 km in six stages through Prato, Pistoia, Lucca and Pisa.
Hidden Tuscany
Car-Free Hikes Near Pisa and Lucca Train Stations
The best hikes near Lucca and Pisa by train, no car needed: from a neoclassical aqueduct to a medieval fortress, reachable in …
Hidden Tuscany
Tuscany Weather by Month: Cities and Mountains
Tuscany weather by month, from a local hiking guide: official averages for Florence and Lucca, and what the Apennine trails do …
Mycology
Mushrooms of Acquerino: A Seasonal Forager's Guide
Discover the most common mushrooms at Acquerino: porcini, chanterelles, and more. A seasonal guide to foraging in the Pistoiese …
Trees and Flora
Forest Conservation in Tuscany: The Real Data
Forest loss in Tuscany contradicts the reforestation narrative. Insights from Linda Maggiori's talk and Fondo Forestale Italiano.
Hiking
Hiking Near Florence: Best Mountain Day Walks
Hiking near Florence: mountain trails, glacial lakes and ridge walks in the Apennines, starting 37 km north of the city.
HikingPhotography
Best Nature Reserves in Tuscany You've Never Heard Of
Tuscany's best-kept secrets. From ancient woods to hidden Alpine lakes, discover 4 overlooked nature reserves with a pro …
Trees and FloraPhotography
White Asphodel in Tuscany: Where and When It Blooms
White asphodel (Asphodelus albus) in Tuscany's mountains: when it blooms, where to find it, and photography tips.
Hidden TuscanyHiking
Acquerino: Tuscany's Wild Mountain Sanctuary
Discover the hidden wilderness of Acquerino nature reserves - pristine forests, rare fungi, and wildlife in Tuscany's Apennines.
Mycology
Yellow Stagshorn Fungus: Not a Chanterelle
Yellow stagshorn (Calocera viscosa): the bright jelly fungus on pine stumps often mistaken for a chanterelle. Identification …
Trees and Flora
Douglas Fir at Acquerino: North America in Tuscany
Douglas fir at Riserva Acquerino: the North American tree thriving in Tuscany since 1830, its ecological role and forest impact.