Be prepared to remain speechless - up here the landscape is truly amazing. The beech woods alternate with high pastures where the animals move to on hot summer days. Some of the most fascinating pastures to visit are the Prade Garfagnine, an extensive grassland full of cherry trees, dotted with huts and small stone buildings where, at one time, hay, vegetables and cereals were produced.

The chestnut woods gradually give way to the beech woods. Here, the mountain becomes intense and moving. To experience it at it's fullest, without missing any of the magic for an instant, from sunrise to when the stars light up the sky, book a room at Residenza Calabaia or the Ciocca del Lupo. And don’t miss the Taverna dello Scoiattolo for an unforgettable dinner around a big, crackling fireplace.

Passing from one level to the next as you go up the mountain, you’ll notice that as the altitude changes so does the landscape, flora and fauna. The vegetation becomes more and more lush and the spectacle of colors that change with the seasons is an ever growing wonder. In the chestnut woods you can catch a glimpse of a buzzards, squirrels, roe and fallow deer you’ll often come across a traditional mountain home.

If you love sport, fitness and open-air activities, you’ve found your Eldorado. At the Sport Village you can choose from two football pitches, one of which regulation-size where great major league football teams have held training sessions, a stables, 6 tennis courts, a multi-purpose field, a basketball court, volleyball court, an athletics track and a gym. For a good meal take a seat at the Ristorante Km0 and then book a Chalet  for a good night's sleep surrounded by the sounds of the countryside for sweet dreams.

Once you’ve passed the Hotel, you begin to proceed up the mountain. Many pathways, along which you can gather mushrooms, Morello cherries and wild strawberries begin to unfold.  On this level you will find the Campus hotel&Apartments surrounded by chestnut trees, where you can enjoy the freedom of a nature holiday. During the summer, you will probably run into groups of kids as the Villaggio Ciocco Ragazzi (Ciocco Vacation Village for Kids) is based here.

Not far from the ruins of the old Locanda (inn), where everything started and which will soon be restored to new life, there is now the exclusive Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa, the La Veranda and Le Salette restaurants, the Wellness Area, the swimming pool, Residenza Battosi and lots of little shops. In winter, you can see the unique spectacle of low fog, which forms a soft white roof with just the Pania della Croce and the village of Barga poking through, like two islets in the middle of a fairy sea.

Here’s the perfect place to meet friends, have a glass of wine and taste the delicious dishes of local cuisine. At particular times of the year, this area offers theatrical shows, open-air concerts and exhibitions. Your children can run free in the play areas or amuse themselves with the entertainment in the Teatrino, in the former VideoMusic recording studios.

A suggestive avenue, flanked by olive trees, that soon leads to the Renaissance Resort, welcomes you to Living Mountain. Not far away, there is the enchanting Swan Lake. The panorama immediately puts on a fine show - from here you can admire Pania della Croce, Barga and Monte Forato. A short path of 200 m takes you to Pascoli’s House Museum.