Sommocolonia.  The very name is romantic.  To the Romans it meant "the colony at the summit," and this village of fewer than 50 residents currently was indeed founded by the Romans - some twenty centuries ago.  (It had a much larger population many years ago.) The Romans showed their discernment, taste, and excellent administrative and military sense by selecting one of the loveliest and most strategic hilltops in all of Tuscany, where on a clear day it does appear that you "can see forever."

There is an amusing story of a man landing at a certain airport and being asked the reason for his visit.  To his reply, "I've come to get away from it all," came the response, "You've come to the right place – there is none of it here!"  This could be said of Sommocolonia, though for those with a taste for the high life there is an international hotel, dining, and entertainment complex, "IL CIOCCO," on a neighboring (but blessedly not visible) hillside.  For those who really want to relax, relieve the tensions of a pressured existence, and experience authentic life in Tuscan Italy, Sommocolonia is the answer.

True, there is nothing to do – but hike and picnic amid the enchantment of the tranquil Tuscan hills.  Or sip wine in a village piazza with the locals – and not a tourist in sight.  Or stroll down the 2000-year-old Roman road, through the vineyards, fields, and woods below on your way to the market to shop for the freshest of fruits, vegetables, pastas, seafood and meats from merchants who are intensely proud of their produce and pleased to be able to be of service to you.

Admittedly, there is nothing to see – but views of the complete circle of mountains surrounding the city of Barga in the valley a thousand feet below.  Or the snow-like white patches of Carrara marble revealed at the tops of those mountains to the West.  Or the twinkling lights, which appear after sundown in the twenty-some neighboring villages, scattered throughout the valley below.   Or the huge natural stone arch visible at the crest of the mountain range across the valley.  Or the endless labyrinth in the scenic caves found beneath those mountains.  Or the clear rushing streams and profusion of wild flowers lining the network of well-mapped alpine hiking trails that extend throughout the surrounding hills and the mountains.

Granted, there is nothing to hear – but the bells from the ancient campaniles nearby chiming the hours and calling to worshipers.  Or the laughter of young children at play in the village.  Or the early morning calls of the cuckoo bird from down the valley.  Or the whish of the swifts and swallows, swooping rapidly above the tile roofs, keeping the air free of bothersome insects.  Or the faint tinkling of the bells on the sheep as the shepherd moves them across the fields far below.  Or the quiet that pervades because there is no motor vehicular traffic in this village.