Our final tour of the season took us through the Apennines, showcasing breathtaking mountain passes and autumn valleys painted in warm colors.
Saturday: The Passo della Cisa
The adventure kicked off on Saturday morning at the foot of the magnificent Passo della Cisa, near Pontremoli. From there, we ventured onto deserted roads, crossing the entire pass to Fornovo di Taro, all while enjoying awe-inspiring landscapes. The beauty of the Parma hills, with their castles rising among autumnal hues, made the experience even more memorable.
We stopped for a hearty lunch at a local trattoria, where the authentic flavors of the Emilian tradition gave us a pure moment of culinary joy, even though the meal wasn’t exactly light! Continuing our route, we passed through Varano de’ Melegari, home to the Dallara and the racetrack, before ascending the Emilian side of the Cisa. Endless curves and stunning views accompanied us to the summit of the pass, where we detoured towards the “Parco dei 100 Laghi,” a mountainous area dotted with countless lakes. Descending through the Passo del Lagastrello, we were greeted by an enchanting atmosphere as the autumn light filtered through the leaves, creating a magical scene.
The day concluded with a communal dinner at Ca del Moro Resort, where we savored local delicacies, the perfect way to rejuvenate after a day of driving.
Sunday: Autumn Foliage on the Passo del Cerreto
On Sunday morning, we embarked on the next leg of our journey: the magnificent Passo del Cerreto. The Lunigiana region bid us farewell with its brilliant autumn colors. Despite the gloomy weather, the views were still captivating.
Our first stop was at the Bar Gelateria “Il Lago” in Cerreto Laghi, where we sought a relaxing moment with a coffee overlooking the lake. Unfortunately, luck was not on our side: it was “World Mushroom Day,” and all the parking spaces were occupied by mushroom hunters. The police asked us to move as we had parked illegally.
Back on the road, we headed towards Castelnovo ne’ Monti, at the foot of the famous Pietra di Bismantova, where we had lunch at the renowned Ristorante La Baita d’Oro, celebrated for its traditional cuisine and warm mountain ambiance. Finally, we had the chance to enjoy the long-awaited tortellini, after a few days of them being replaced by delicious gnocco fritto with cold cuts.
This Apennines Tour Wrapped up Delightful Driving’s Season in Style
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us on this journey through the autumnal magic of the Apennines. We look forward to welcoming you again next year for more four-wheeled adventures!
