The village of Vergemoli is about 8 kilometres from the main road that goes between Borgo a Mozzano and Castelnuovo. You leave the road at Gallicano and drive the very winding road up the mountain to the village. Once you get used to it the drive is incredibly scenic.
the old aquaduct at Gallicano
The road is a two way road, but it is very narrow in parts, starting at the aquaduct where it is one car at a time.
the road has been carved through the rock
The road winds its way up the mountain with sharp hairpin turns.
a long and winding road
Rosi got a better shot
another one from Rosi’s camera
Bike riders love it. We often hear them roaring up or down, leaning into the corners.
lots of fun on a motorcycle
On the left hand side of the photo above you can see the extra bit on the side of the road where you have to go if you meet another car.
I’ll stick to the car – I want to live
We have yet to encounter the bus that runs between Vergemoli and Gallicano, or one of the trucks delivering materials to our house. That should be interesting.
getting caught behind this could be a bit tiresome
If you can drag your eyes from the road, if you are not driving that is, the views all around are spectacular.
the mountains around Vergemoli
a rather large truck leaving the piazza
coming to the turn
around he goes
there is very little room to spare
he made it
a load of bricks is on its way to the house
We can only just get the toyota around this corner in one movement. Those drivers are amazing.
Work continues at the house, but it is plumbing and electical – not really all that photogenic. I can’t wait to get back there to see the progress.
If you haven’t seen our house grow, look in the New house in Vergemoli category for the whole story.
We got this for the post called Beautiful Helsinki – take a look
That road is straight out of a Top Gear challenge, Deb! 🙂
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on August 5, 2011
at 12:45 am
It’s not too bad once you get used to it and there are very few cars to contend with.
By: bagnidilucca on August 5, 2011
at 6:53 am
That road is meant for slowing down. I love the little three-wheel-mobile – I can imagine sitting in that and putting along, eating sausage, singing, laughing and making wonderful Italian gestures out of the window at Jeremy Clarkson behind me – unless of course there’s snow on the road – in which case I’d be a little more serious:)
By: Jan on August 5, 2011
at 1:47 am
I think you have to eat sausage while driving in an Ape.
By: bagnidilucca on August 5, 2011
at 6:53 am
Ok, I give up, is that your typing or did you really say Ape?
By: Anonymous on August 6, 2011
at 2:45 am
An Ape is a three wheel truck. Ape means bee in Italian and the tiny trucks really do sound like buzzing bees. Ape is pronounced ah – pey. Vespa (motor scooter) means wasp, once again because of the sound they make.
By: bagnidilucca on August 6, 2011
at 4:45 am
🙂 Very Top Gear.
What a stunning spot to have a house.
By: cityhippyfarmgirl on August 5, 2011
at 3:16 am
Vergemoli is a gorgeous village. I will do a post on it soon.
By: bagnidilucca on August 5, 2011
at 6:54 am
The roads in the area are very narrow, but the views are fantastic. We go there quite often as we love to visit the old church of the “Eremo di Calomini”… and the restaurant as well, to eat some trout, which is delicious.
By: Mulino Dominillo on August 5, 2011
at 5:50 am
I’ve been to Eremo di Calomini a couple of times. There is a new restaurant up there now and it is very good.
By: bagnidilucca on August 5, 2011
at 6:55 am
I love this post! These roads are fantastic! We just encountered similar roads in Elba…and a couple years ago in the Gargano. I love them; my daughter HATES them. She closes her eyes and buries her head and begs us to “arrange for a helicopter” to airlift her out of there. Amazing. Amazing. Amazing.
By: The Daily Cure on August 5, 2011
at 6:05 am
The view up there certainly makes the drive worthwhile.
By: bagnidilucca on August 5, 2011
at 6:56 am
Haha so is this where the Italian race car drivers practice? 😛
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on August 5, 2011
at 1:59 pm
There is no shortage of roads like this in Italy.
By: bagnidilucca on August 5, 2011
at 8:51 pm
What gorgeous scenery-I want to move right in!
By: paninigirl on August 5, 2011
at 4:22 pm
That can be arranged.
By: bagnidilucca on August 5, 2011
at 8:51 pm
Can’t wait to get my classic motorcycle collection there and ride all those hairpin bends. One bike for ever day of the month hmmmmmmmm. Italy is the only country where you wear your tyres all the way round. Not like in Western Australia where we wear them square.
By: paul stoker on August 6, 2011
at 1:07 pm
I can’t wait to see your motor bike collection! Perhaps I will even get a ride on one.
By: bagnidilucca on August 6, 2011
at 1:10 pm
Congratulations for the Easyjet award! You deserve it.
And another nice post about a place I’m not planning to miss next month.
By: Leandro on August 6, 2011
at 5:58 pm
Thank you. I hope you have a great time in Italy.
By: bagnidilucca on August 6, 2011
at 8:28 pm
The view, the nature are amazing, I love it. I’m loving the nature of Italy, its awesome…….. wish I can go back whenever I desire, wish things are that easy, to hop on a plane and enjoy the ride…. Great pictures……
By: Fragolina on August 8, 2011
at 6:50 am
Thank you. Italy is very beautiful. We are lucky to spend lots of time there.
By: bagnidilucca on August 8, 2011
at 8:09 am
REALLY VERY TRANQUIL AND BEAUTIFUL DEBRA.
By: george miori on August 8, 2011
at 5:32 pm
Vergemoli is set in a very beautiful area.
By: bagnidilucca on August 8, 2011
at 8:42 pm
Wonderful post as always! Where exactly is your village in Italy? I’ve only been to Sestriere, Rome, Florence and Venice so haven’t explored too much. I did fall in love with Italy though and love reading your fabulous blog and all the nummy photos!
By: thirdeyemom on August 9, 2011
at 6:22 pm
Our village of Bagni di Lucca is 25 kilometres from Lucca (which is between Florence and Pisa). It sits on either side if the Lima river in a valley in the Apuane Alps. Vergemoli, where we are building the house is furter into the Garfagnana towards Castelnuovo.
By: bagnidilucca on August 9, 2011
at 7:21 pm