Head lights must be turned on at all times.
From Pisa Airport car hire head back towards
the airport and follow signs to Genova/Livorno on the motorway (green
motorway sign) A12. You will come to a toll (go to the booth in the
middle, marked with a car handing a ticket) After the toll take the right
fork to Genova and Pisa Nord. Approx 10km you will turn off to Pisa Nord,
head for Firenze and Lucca A11.
Take the Lucca Est exit (Toll: 2.20 Euros Approx) and follow signs
for Abetone, Bagni di Lucca, Castelnuovo (Garfagnana), Barga. You will
make your way around the walls of the city. As you head left away from the
walls after the 3rd roundabout stick to the right hand lane and take the right
fork for Abetone etc after 500m.
Once through Lucca (5 Kms) you will arrive at a big round about with Esselunga
supermarket on your right. Turn left (signed to Barga, Castelnuovo,
Abetone and a brown sign for Garfagnana) you will go through a series of tunnels
and then cross a bridge over the Serchio, take the next slip road to the right,
sign posted Castelnuovo & Barga. You will cross the river again
and are now heading up the left side of the Serchio valley. In Borgo A Mozzano
head straight on towards Castelnuovo.
Continue for 15km until you pass under three bridges, the third has "Gallicano" written on it.Turn right immediately, signed to Barga and Molazzana and then left at the T junction. At the top of the hill turn right and then first left for Molazzana (4km). In Molazzana take left fork at the Rio bar and keep going up (1.5km third road to the left) you will see the sign for Promiana 1km: turn left. In Promiana park in the piazza against the high wall below the olive grove.
(Should you wish to shop before you arrive, do not turn off the main road after the three bridges but continue for another 250m to the Leclerc supermarket - open 8.30am-8.30pm - on the right. On exiting the carpark, follow signs for Lucca, under the road, up the ramp and Left at the top. Turn right almost immediately and then first right after 100m and you will start to climb the hill to Molazzana.)
The road in to Lavacchio is extremely narrow
(1.85m) for the first 60m and you risk a scratch on your car; please call
us, on the number below when you arrive in Promiana and we will come and pick
you up. Please let us know in advance if you are arriving after midnight,
this isn't a problem but pre warning would be advisable.
It shouldn't take you more than 1hr 45m, it usually takes us 1hr 20m on a
bad day.
But don't rush, you can phone us if you get lost. (0039)3491201954
or 0583760369
Useful map to buy would be Michelin Italia Nord-Ovest No 428
If driving from the north, you can take an exhilirating drive over the mountains from Modena or Aulla and get to Castelnuovo Garfagnana (not for the queasy!) It's often quicker and more comfortable to head for Lucca and then follow the directions above.