Why you should visit Barga

This summer I went to Barga, in Tuscany, Italy- and it was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. The quality of my pictures won't do this gorgeous place any justice. Apparently, Barga is one of Italy's hidden gems- or so I've been told. However, the Scots seem to have cottoned on and a lot of the holiday-ers were also Scottish when I went.

I haven't travelled the world much, however out of the places I have visited- Italy never fails to disappoint. There is something so un-modern about the place, which I love. Many of the towns exude a sort of unrushed, chilled way of life that I find extremely attractive and relaxing. Most, if not all, Italian cities and towns -but towns especially- ooze character and endless natural, unadulterated beauty. It's one of those countries that I don't mind re-visiting time and time again because everywhere I go is always slightly different with its own quirks.

Barga is a town in the Provence of Lucca, and is situated many many feet off lower ground up in the Tuscan hills/mountains. I had arrived in the evening, so looking out the windows at that time boasted only darkness with specks of light. Little did I know that in the morning, I would be greeted with such a breathtakingly beautiful view. Every window I looked out from was totally postcard-worthy- but no postcard could ever replicate how gorgeous this place is. But enough gushing about the beauty of Barga now! There's more to the place than a pretty face.

Because Barga is up in the hills, there is a long windy road you have to drive up to get there. That road, I swear, is one of the most stressful and nerve-wracking things. I hate to imagine how people who are scared of heights would feel about Italian drivers swerving up and down and round these bends so quickly. However, if you want to leave the town, you must endure it.

There is a bus that takes you to Lucca- great for a spot of shopping, and to get to the train station there if you want to visit other towns. 

There are endless walks and to strolls to discover in Barga, and every inch of it is beautiful.

I loved seeing fruit trees (fig, apple, plum, pear) and tomato and grape vines everywhere.

Food is life. No, really. Food is life. I love Italian food, it vastly beats UK 'cuisine' (if such a thing really even exists). During my two weeks in Barga, I ate my weight in pasta, meat, and gelato. Standard. As I've said before, it's very seldom that you get served 'bad' food at an Italian restaurant. Barga's restaurants don't boast many seafood options because it's far-ish from the sea and transporting seafood isn't ideal- although every week at the Saturday (or Thursday...or Wednesday) market, there is a seafood van. As a result, there are plenty of options for the meat and pasta lovers (aka me). Pasta is one of my all-time weaknesses.

During my time there, I also decided upon my favourite places to eat. Should you ever get the joy to visit Barga, please visit L'altana located by the entrance of the old town. Run by an all-female kitchen, the food is incredible. Below were my two favourite dishes I ate in Barga. The pasta dish is basically truffle pasta. But it wasn't just truffle pasta. This is what pasta dreams are made of- sheets of pasta coated with a creamy (but not too creamy) truffle sauce with bits of truffle. You can't even begin to imagine how delicious this was. 

Truffle macheroni (basically small sheet pieces of pasta)

The dish below is a meat dish of ridiculously tender beef strips, served simply with olive oil and herbs. No knife and very little chewing was required to eat this fine specimen. You haven't had proper steak until you've had it cooked in an Italian restaurant like L'altana.



Tagliata di Manzo
(extremely tender beef cut up into strips dressed simply with olive oil and herbs) 

Most nights, desert was gelato (of course!), however I discovered a love for Italian froyo. The Italian version is slightly sweeter but also more tart at the same time. My go-to toppings? Strawberries- always, and also sometimes Nutella (which if you love Nutella, this is what Nutella dreams are made of). See below :)

By far the popular place to get gelato in the old town is La Gelataria, also close to the entrance of the old town. They had gorgeous flavours with 2-3 new ones being rotated in every day. 

Plain Italian frozen yoghurt with strawberries and teeny tiny jewel-like blueberries

Plain Italian frozen yoghurt with strawberries and Nutella (*drools*)

As much as Barga deserves the attention, I hope it never turns into one of those places that is bombarded with tourists- that would detract from the charm of the place. Ps, I've been told that Paolo Nutini is a fan and can sometimes be found here in the summer!

<3