GREEN Catalogue

il Tau Tour operator
NOT TOURISTS BUT ECO-TOURISTS
CATALOGUE
2021
GREEN
Nature and Culture

NOT TOURISTS BUT ECO-TOURISTS
WELCOME IN HOLIDAY
il Tau
Licensed Tour Guides for
La Spezia - Lucca, Massa-Carrara &
their Provinces
IL TAU is composed only of
licensed tourist guides operating
in the provinces of La Spezia,
Lucca and Massa - Carrara.
What unites us is the desire to
share the love for our land, to
present a polymorphic region -
rich of history and art, local
products and unexpected
fascinations - and not to offer
cold information, but deep
knowledge and passion for our
land.
Let us guide you to discover
the historical Lunigiana, let be
surprised by the marble
quarries of CARRARA, enjoy
the Ligurian Levante, from the
CINQUE TERRE to the Val di
Vara and Portovenere, and
discover LUCCA and here
province on a time travel along
the ancient pilgrimage routes
b e t w e e n R o m a n e s q u e
churches, medieval villages,
castles and ancient forests.
It is the beginning of your journey searching for true and lasting emotions,
firsthand enjoyed experiences and slowly relished, with your private travel expert.
The tourist decides the destination of a trip, he imagine exotic places, he wants leave the
work’s monotony and he dreams the relaxing away from home, lying hours after hours on
a pool edge or on a remote beach; you can see him on the ski slopes with fashionable
sunglasses and a warm Rum punch-glass in his hands, while he took pictures of children
close to famous monuments or in some oriental bazaar looking for souvenirs for the
friends.
The traveler is more willing and, perhaps, more humble, he’s interested by the journey,
not by the destination, he likes the comparison with different cultural realities and to
judge it, he prefers to take pictures with the eyes and mind, he seeks experience and
emotions not necessarily pleasant and relaxing but certainly unique and different.
The traveler wants to follow the paths of large and small local memories
and he gladly follows who’s able to show him the scent of wild herbs or
the typical, true kitchen, one who knows every single stone, proverb or
overview of its region; he is happy to feel himself as a part of a territory
which his guide proudly shows and reveals him, he knows that he
understood he didn’t just seen.
If you are a traveler, is just you we are expecting.

GREEN
Nature and Culture
of the Apuan Alps
Globularia incanescens
Centaurea montis-borlae
The imposing mountain range of the Apuan Alps, enriched by
lush and varied vegetation, thermal springs, crystal-clear
streams and several natural grottoes, was the natural backdrop that
gave comfort and asylum to the first inhabitants of this land.
Treat yourself to a day immersed in the natural beauty of the Apuan Alps,
discovering the, impressive, rock-hard “craft” of the quarryman, treading on
the thousand-year-old footpaths used, daily, by ancient quarrymen who, with
indefatigable perseverance and untold labor, extracted precious marble and
allowed most famous artist of the past to become immortal.
Follow with us the traces left by Neanderthal Man and
the Cave Bear, amidst surprising plant species and healing springs:
in the unspoilt territory of the Lunigiana.
between NATURE & CULTURE
Are you ready to be mesmerized by all of this ?
il Tau
Guide turistiche delle Province
di La Spezia - Lucca e Massa-Carrara

“BOTANIC & ZOOLOGICAL
ENDEMISMS”
Length Height difference Duration Difficulty
km 8,2 +250 m / -250 m 2 hours easy
Mandatory
equipment:
hiking boots, layered clothing, 1 litre (1 ¾ pints)
per person.
Recommended
equipment:
hat and sunglasses, trekking poles
e-bike
Located at an altitude of 900 m, along the fault line dividing the Appenine porphyry shale
(siliceous) from the “grezzoni” (calcareous) of the Apuan Alps and receiving the beneficial influence
of the nearby Tyrrhenian Sea, is the Botanical Garden of the Apuan Alps.
This naturalistic excursion reveals an environment housing an incredible collection of different
spontaneous plant species which, in other circumstances, would thrive separated and in completely
different habitats.
One finds the Austrian black pine and Silver fir close to the Maritime pine and the Neapolitan
alder or the Prickly juniper beside the Phoenician juniper. The Botanical Garden houses a
collection of chestnut species (Castanea sativa Miller) as well, such as the Politora, the Cardaccio,
the Pontecosa, and the Rosa.
An enjoyable walk along paved roads leads, with breathtaking glimpses of the Frigido Valley, to the
Valsora quarry, a symbolic place that embodies the ability to merge the respect for endemic
wildlife with the millennial tradition of marble excavation which shaped the economic and
cultural heritage of this region.
The Apuan Triton (Ichthyosaura alpestris apuana) colonized a little pond inside the quarry and
today, thanks to the ecological mind and efforts of the owners, thrives unhindered at a short
distance from the extractive activity.
for those who feel IN SHAPE
‣ Meet at Pian della Fioba at….
‣ Guided tour of the Botanical Garden and
excursion with Hiking guide
‣ A snack inside Cava Valsora with typical local dishes
‣ Walk back to Pian della Fioba
For those who are LESS ACTIVE-MINDED
‣ Meet at Pian della Fioba at….
‣ Guided tour of the Botanical Garden and
excursion with Environmental guide
‣ A snack inside Cava Valsora with typical local dishes
‣ Return to Pian della Fioba by 4x4 vehicles
For Mountain Bike / E-Bike lovers, it is possible to start from Antona = Km 9,7 + 9,7 - Difference in height +720 m / -720 m
Hiking and/or tour package
(for either active-minded trekking lovers or
people who prefer less exertion) available
every day with our Environmental guides and
4WD Land Rover Defender with 8+1 seats.
Possibility to organize pick up/drop off in hotel or at
La Spezia/Leghorn ports or at the airport of Pisa
(supplement to be agreed upon booking).
N.B.: payment by PayPal or bank transfer in advance otherwise
in cash at the end of the tour. NO CREDIT CARDS.
Fitness requirements: good knowledge of the mountain environment, sure-footedness, a head for heights and a good physical condition are needed.

“The Routes of BOLDNESS”
The ancient Vie di Lizza
in the Frigido Valley
Length Height difference Duration Difficulty
km 2,5 +600 m 2,5 hours very hard
Mandatory hiking boots, layered clothing, 2 liters (4 ½ pints)
equipment: per person.
Recommended
equipment:
hat and sunglasses, trekking poles
Xe-bike
For over 2000 years, the “vie di lizza” of the Apuan Alps have been the only possible routes to carry to
the valley (“lizzare”) the marble extracted, by slaves and quarrymen, in the quarries.
The main theme of this wonderful hike along these ancient roads is to understand the immense effort of
countless generations of humble yet bold slaves and quarrymen, patiently maneuvering and moving down
slowly gigantic blocks of marble – several tons each – while constantly striving to avoid disastrous accidents.
Since the introduction of trucks to transport marble blocks in the early 1960s, all the quarries not linked
by paved roads were condemned to closure for economic reasons, but the “vie di lizza” are still present,
like a cobweb etched on the steepest slopes of the mountains, testifying a bygone age of labor
incomparable for its hardness and perils.
This excursion blends the natural beauty of the Apuan Alps with the historic knowledge of a bimillenary
culture, addressing the ingenuity of its people and acknowledging their oft forgotten fatigue.
The endpoint of our trek is the impressive Valsora Quarry a symbolic place where endemic fauna
coexists harmoniously with the heritage of marble excavation.
A hearty snack of typical local products will restore your spent energies, before resuming your
adventure and returning to the starting point via 4WD Land Rover Defender vehicles.
for those who feel BOLD
‣ Meet at Renara/Gronda at….
‣ Guided tour with Hiking guide
‣ A snack inside Cava Valsora with typical local dishes
‣ Back to Renara by 4x4 vehicles
For those who are LESS ACTIVE-MINDED
‣ Meet at Renara/Gronda at….
‣ Tour by 4WD vehicles with Tour guide and short
walk along a “via di lizza”
‣ A snack inside Cava Valsora with typical local dishes
‣ Back to Renara by 4x4 vehicles
Hiking and/or tour package
(for either active-minded trekking lovers or
people who prefer less exertion) available
every day with our Environmental guides and
4WD Land Rover Defender with 8+1 seats.
Possibility to organize pick up/drop off in hotel or at
La Spezia/Leghorn ports or at the airport of Pisa
(supplement to be agreed upon booking).
N.B.: payment by PayPal or bank transfer in advance otherwise
in cash at the end of the tour. NO CREDIT CARDS.
Fitness requirements: good knowledge of the mountain environment, sure-footedness, a head for heights and a good physical condition are needed.

“WILD BRUGIANA”
Length Height difference Duration Difficulty
km 5,2 +550 m / -200 m 2,5 hours hard
Mandatory
equipment:
hiking boots, layered clothing, 1 litre (3 ½ pints)
per person.
Recommended
equipment:
hat and sunglasses, trekking poles
the ancient paths of the quarrymen (1)
e-bike
Prior to the advent of technology and 4WD vehicles, each morning before dawn, the quarrymen
started out for the Apuan Alps. Often burdened with heavy hemp ropes around their shoulders, the
quarrymen walked along narrow and very steep paths to reach the quarries, where a grueling day of
work awaited them. They toiled under the burning sun or with frostbite, crushing the ice under their
heavy boots. At sunset, the quarrymen climbed down those same paths and headed back home.
One of these ancient pathways leads to the top of Brugiana Peak (973 m) which offers an excellent
viewpoint of the Tuscan and Ligurian coast as well as of the marble basins of Carrara and of the
Apuan Alps.
After “conquering” the summit, we will climb down to the quarry-square below, to enjoy the magnificent
scenery, the majestic silence of the Apuan Alps and… a hearty snack of typical local delicacies.
Finally, we will return to the starting point with an adventurous ride in 4WD Land Rover Defender vehicles
along unthinkable dirt roads!
for those who feel IN GREAT SHAPE
‣ Meet at our office (strada comunale di Colonnata 9)
at….
‣ Guided tour with Hiking guide
‣ A snack inside Cava Brugiana with typical local dishes
‣ Back to our office by 4x4 vehicles
For those who are LESS ACTIVE-MINDED
‣ Meet at our office (strada comunale di Colonnata 9)
at….
‣ Guided tour with Tour guide inside the quarries
‣ A snack inside Cava Brugiana with typical local dishes
‣ Back to our office by 4x4 vehicles
Hiking and/or tour package
(for either active-minded trekking lovers or
people who prefer less exertion) available
every day with our Environmental guides and
4WD Land Rover Defender with 8+1 seats.
Possibility to organize pick up/drop off in hotel or at
La Spezia/Leghorn ports or at the airport of Pisa
(supplement to be agreed upon booking).
N.B.: payment by PayPal or bank transfer in advance otherwise
in cash at the end of the tour. NO CREDIT CARDS.
Fitness requirements: good knowledge of the mountain environment, sure-footedness, a head for heights and a good physical condition are needed.

“ DAVID LOOKS at the MOON”
The street Art of Kobra
in the marble quarries
Length Height difference Duration Difficulty
km 1,5 +250 m 1,15 hours easy
Mandatory
equipment:
hiking boots, layered clothing, 1 litre (3 ½ pints)
per person.
Recommended
equipment:
hat and sunglasses, trekking poles
the ancient paths of the quarrymen (2)
e-bike
Prior to the advent of technology and of the 4x4 vehicles, each morning before dawn the quarrymen
of Colonnata set out along a ridge trail to reach the Gioia quarries (from the Latin Iovia = the Jupiter
Mountains).
Often carrying hemp ropes around their shoulders and burdened by their iron maces, they hastily
reached the quarrying sites where a long, strenuous day of work awaited them, stoically coping with
the burning heat of the summer or the frigid cold of the winter.
Right on the top of the Jupiter Mountains, exactly on the border between the two municipalities of
Carrara and Massa, the Quarrymen Cooperative members commissioned street artist Eduardo Kobra
a striking wall painting, able to express the everlasting dialogue between past and present into Art.
To enjoy an impressive work of art not inside a museum (spatially limited and static) but, vice versa, in
a unique place, surrounded by a 360-degrees breathtaking view, over a mountainous area that
evolves daily and has been changing its physical aspect for over a thousand years, providing the raw
material sculpted by artists of every age, well…is a gift you must give yourself.
You will return to the starting point via an adventurous ride along the very steep private quarry roads on
4WD Land Rover Defender vehicles and a stop in a spectacular underground quarry!
for those who feel IN SHAPE
‣ Meet at our office (strada comunale di Colonnata 9)
at….
‣ Excursion with Hiking guide
‣ Visit of Eduardo Kobra’s wall painting
‣ Snack and return to starting point with 4WD vehicles
For those who are LESS ACTIVE-MINDED
‣ Meet at our office (strada comunale di Colonnata 9)
at….
‣ Excursion with Tour guide on 4WD vehicles
‣ Visit of Eduardo Kobra’s wall painting
‣ Snack and return to starting point with 4WD vehicles
Hiking and/or tour package
(for either active-minded trekking lovers or
people who prefer less exertion) available
every day with our Environmental guides and
4WD Land Rover Defender with 8+1 seats.
Possibility to organize pick up/drop off in hotel or at
La Spezia/Leghorn ports or at the airport of Pisa
(supplement to be agreed upon booking).
N.B.: payment by PayPal or bank transfer in advance otherwise
in cash at the end of the tour. NO CREDIT CARDS.
Fitness requirements: good knowledge of the mountain environment, sure-footedness, a head for heights and a good physical condition are needed.

“The BREADFRUIT TREE”
e-bike
“Historical Lunigiana” – the territory including the districts of Massa and Carrara, the eastern
part of the Province of La Spezia, the Garfagnana and the Alta Versilia – is synonymous to the
expression the “chestnut civilization” due to the abundance of customs, traditions, and ancient
municipal regulations which refer to this precious tree, once defined by the great 19th-century
Italian poet, Giovanni Pascoli, as “the Breadfruit tree”.
The flour derived from chestnut was commonly used to make the bread of the peasants and the
trees also provided firewood, fencing posts, housing beams and furniture planks. Even the leaves
were used, as bedding for animals or to wrap and age cheese.
The cupules and the pruning residues were crushed and used as compost for the trees a custom
that today evokes the visit to our grandparents or the holidays in the mountains.
This excursion focuses on a re-discovery of our traditions, visiting a chestnut grove, a smoke dryer
(locally known as metato or canniccio or gradile or seccatoro), an ancient watermill and learning
about simple, yet ingenious farming tools such as the (e.g the pistozèra)*.
* Simple but ingenious tool for peeling dried chestnuts
Hiking and/or tour package
(for either active-minded trekking lovers or
people who prefer less exertion) available
every day with our Environmental guides and
4WD Land Rover Defender with 8+1 seats.
Possibility to organize pick up/drop off in hotel or at
La Spezia/Leghorn ports or at the airport of Pisa
(supplement to be agreed upon booking).
N.B.: payment by PayPal or bank transfer in advance otherwise
in cash at the end of the tour. NO CREDIT CARDS.
Fitness requirements: good knowledge of the mountain environment, sure-footedness, a head for heights and a good physical condition are needed.

“A WALK through
PREHISTORY”
the Equi Grottoes Cultural Park
N.B.: THE GROTTOES REMAIN CLOSED.
FROM OCTOBER TILL JUNE
e-bike
1) naturalistic itinerary - Geological and environmental characteristics of the territory
Following the upper course of the Lucido stream, we will discover the geographical, climatical,
historical and anthropological evolution of the Lunigiana region, before reaching Equi Terme, home of
one of the largest underground cave systems in Europe. The excursion continues along the “Groove of
Equi”, a picturesque natural canyon formed by the Catenella creek until we reach the Cave of the ‘Fern’
and the Cave of the ‘Foxhole’, where remarkable Paleolithic and Neolithic findings have been made.
We will observe the unexpected local vegetation, rich in endemic species and other peculiarities.
There is the opportunity of taking part in educational workshops on the locality’s botanical and
geological aspects (about 3 hours).
2) historical itinerary - The different human settlement types over the centuries
Following the upper course of the Lucido stream, we will discover the geographical, climatical,
historical and anthropological evolution of the Lunigiana region, before reaching Equi Terme, home of
one of the largest underground cave systems in Europe and part of a natural hunting preserve
frequented by prehistoric man. We will then visit the Cave Museum where life-size replicas and educational
panels reveal what life was like for the settlements of Eneolithic man thousands of years ago. Finally, we will
visit the medieval hamlet of Equi Terme and the thermal springs already known to the Romans.
There is the opportunity of taking part in educational workshops on the locality’s botanical and
geological aspects. (about 3 hours).
3) waterways itinerary - The complex natural water system of the Apuan Alps
Following the upper course of the Lucido stream Valley, we will discover the geographical, climatical,
historical and anthropological evolution of the Lunigiana region, before reaching and visiting the
medieval hamlet of Equi Terme. A visit to the local baths is included, with the possibility of trying its
sweet and sulfureous waters, before reaching the source springs of the Lucido stream. Following the
Lunigiana trekking route, we will reach the village of Santa Lucia di Monzone, which includes a stop
along the way to quench our thirst with the pure, fresh water of the Bozzetti spring.
Once in Monzone, we will visit and taste the sources of the Black Water and Salted Water.
At this point, we hope that somebody, will have brought some wine!!!

SEPTEMBER
25-30
Wine Roads of the Candia Hills
the Grape Festival
Guided walks in the
vineyard of Candia with
wine tastings
everyday at 9.30 & at 15.30
e-bike

Nature trails along the ancient Via Francigena route, on the lookout for the
ancient Pieve of San Lorenzo of Monte Libero and of the great local wines.
departure times: ore 9,30 ed ore 15,30
starting points:
Bonascola, via Acquafiora
(℅ Ca’ Michele)
Bonascola, via Acquafiora
(℅ Ca’ Michele)
Via Perla > Via Montelivero > Via dell’uva > wine tasting Podere
Scurtarola > Via dell’uva > Via della Lucertola > wine tasting > via
Acquafiora > Via Perla
Via Corvenale > Via Romito > Via Ripazzi > Via Carbonera > Via dell’
uva > wine tasting Podere Scurtarola > Via dell’uva > Via Carbonera >
sentiero per Montelivero > Via Montelivero > wine tasting > Via della
Perla > Via Bonascola > Via Prov. Carrara-Avenza
Length
7,1 km
Duration
2h 20
Length:
9,0 km
Duration
3h 20
Height difference
+140 m
Difficulty:
EASY
Height difference
+320 m
Difficulty:
MEDIUM
Romagnano, via S. Lorenzo
(℅ Restaurant Il Gallo)
Strada dei Marmi
roundabout- Via Aurelia
Via San Lorenzo > Via Candia Bassa > Via dell'uva > wine tasting
Podere Scurtarola > Via dell'uva > wine tasting Agriturismo Alle
Vigne > Via Gabbiano > Via San Lorenzo
sentiero per Via della Lucertola > Via della Lucertola > Via dell'uva
> wine tasting Podere Scurtarola > strada per Via San Lorenzo
(Agriturismo Il Gallo) > Via San Lorenzo > wine tasting > Via della
Lucertola > sentiero per rotonda su Strada dei Marmi
Length
5,1 km
Duration
1h 45
Length
7,8 km
Duration
2h 30
Height difference
+160 m
Difficulty:
EASY
Height difference
+150 m
Difficulty:
MEDIUM
Mirteto, parking of via S.
Vitale
Mirteto, parking of via S.
Vitale
price per person:
The offer includes:
The offer DON’T includes:
via S. Vitale > via ponte del Vescovo > via dell’uva > Agriturismo
alle vigne > wine tasting Podere Scurtarola > via Castagnara > via
Falce > via della Sala > wine tasting > via della Pieve > via S.
Vitale
via S. Vitale > via ponte del Vescovo > via dell’uva > Agriturismo alle
vigne > wine tasting Podere Scurtarola > via dell’uva > via Candia
bassa > via S. Lorenzo > via del gabbiano > wine tasting > via
Castagnara > via Falce > via della Sala > via della Pieve > via S. Vitale
€ 30,00 (children until 10 years for free)
Length
7,5 km
Duration
2h 30
Length
11,3 km
Duration
3h 50
Height difference
+160 m
Difficulty:
EASY
Height difference
+250 m
Difficulty
MEDIUM
half day Hiking guide service, nr. 2 local wine tasting + a little taste of Lardo & local cheeses, risk
insurance.
extra costs, tips and any transfer by public and/or private transport
Possibility to book a lunch based on typical dishes in one of the affiliated structures