A very intense day dedicated to the dramatic marble quarries of Carrara, their main village Colonnata, famous for the "lardo" delicacy, and to the stunning seaside town Lerici with its panoramic clifftop castle

Highlights

The day starts with an introduction to the whole day at a nice patisserie in Carrara. This place is our meeting point, located just outside the exit Carrara from the highway. During the introduction you will enjoy a lovely "Italian breakfast", made of delicious cappuccino & a croissant (plenty of other options available). We will then depart, crossing the historical town of Carrara. The first stop of the day is along a beautiful panoramic road leading to the marble quarries of Carrara. It is a very dramatic territory, with huge machines moving gigantic blocks of marble from the inside of the mountain to the harbor of Carrara. You will learn all the reasons why this marble is considered the best and purest in the world. You will also see the ancient "Roman mine", the most ancient quarry, already operating already in the 2nd century. Another very important highlight of the day is a visit to Colonnata, a cute tiny village of marble miners right in the middle of the extraction area. We will visit the hamlet and learn a lot about the life of miners and their old, as well as modern techniques for escavating. In Colonnata, they produce a traditional specialty called "lardo", a charcuterie made of fine pork fat cured in typical marble basins, today a DOP food. You will visit one of the most traditional producers and learn about all methods for creating delicious lardo right before enjoying a few bruschettas topped by this delicacy. A tasty light lunch will follow. The visit to the area ends driving along some stunning tunnels, used by miners to transport marble blocks. The afternoon is dedicated to the seaside town Lerici. Just a few minutes away from Carrara, this very picturesque fishermen town of Liguria displays a stunning panoramic castle right on top of very steep cliffs. The castle was part of the protection system developed by Genoa. You will have the chance to enjoy great views from its towers. The town is a great occasion for a nice walk along a scenic promenade. A great gelato in town completes the day. - Drive to a patisserie in Carrara (65 minutes) - Introduction and Italian breakfast (30 minutes) - Drive & visit to the extraction areas of the marble quarries (1 hour) - Walk and visit to Colonnata, visit to a lardo shop and lunch (1.5 hours) - Drive to Lerici with stops at panoramic views (1 hour) - Visit to the castle of Lerici & tasting of gelato (2 hours) - Drive back to Borgo alle Vigne (75 minutes)

Duration

7​/​8 hours

Languages Spoken

English and​​/​​or Spanish

Meeting Point

At easy-to-find patisserie right at the highway exit of Carrara. Full details will be provided.

Rates Include

A private local guide for the whole tour An Italian breakfast A visit to the area of the marble quarries A visit to Colonnata and to a producer of Lardo di Colonnata DOP A full lunch in Colonnata A visit to Lerici and its stunning castle on the sea A great gelato in Lerici

Important Information

- Please, let us know any food intolerances​​/​​allergies - Private tour offered for min. 2 people and max 10 people. RATES DO NOT INCLUDE: - Transportation - "You can Self-drive" - Parking fee in Lerici