The weather isn't great these days but summer is right around the corner and chances are it's going to hit hard. When temperatures and humidity rise way above what normal human beings consider bearable, any Tuscan only wants to do one thing: head for the hills to get some fresh air. What if you're just passing through? A day trip might be the answer. Right, now you only have to decide where to go between the hundreds of great places Tuscany has to offer. If you're spoiled for choice, let me give you an advice: Garfagnana is the place to go. The wild heart of this region has it all: great scenery, awesome food, plenty of history and quirky traditions. The perfect place for a day trip is right on the border with Emilia, in a small town dominated by an ancient fortress. That's why this week, What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Castiglione di Garfagnana to have a look at the charming castle on the mountain. If you listen to the full episode you'll learn everything there is to know about the perfectly preserved Lion Fortress, a castle that has been around since the time of the Romans that has a lot to offer, from beautiful views to a secret passageway that is open to the public.This small village has a lot to offer, from a nearby mediaeval bridge to an even smaller place that is the highest permanently inhabited place in the Apennines mountains. Castiglione is also a rather weird place where people still celebrate a miracle happened four centuries ago, dress up as Befane for a January Halloween and have an entire month dedicated to mediaeval celebrations. All in all, the best reason to come around here, even for a single day, is the people. Garfagnini may be gruff but have a heart of gold. Having to brave the elements and the crippling poverty for centuries has made them kinder and more generous than most. The fact that the wilderness is beautiful, the food great and the temperatures much more bearable it's just a happy coincidence, I guess. Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://www.tuscanypeople.com/castiglione-di-garfagnana/ http://www.castiglionegarf.altervista.org/visite-guidate.html https://tuscanyplanet.com/castiglione-di-garfagnana-cosa-vedere/ Pro Loco Castiglione +39 347 2789387 / [email protected] BACKGROUND MUSIC Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental) WUFO - Hyde Park Pipe Choir - A midnight on Jaquay (Instrumental) Inaki - Phoenix Mike Chino - Calm and Harmony Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental https://soundcloud.com/argofox/wufo-hyde-park https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-a-midnight-on-jaquay-instrumental https://soundcloud.com/argofox/inaki-phoenix-creative-commons https://soundcloud.com/argofox/mike-chino-calm-and-harmony https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons http://www.pipechoir.com/