15Jan

Carrara marble quarries gourmet tour

By: umberto On: 15 January 2017 In: Marble quarries for individuals Comments: 0

Guided tour of the Carrara marble quarries, of Colonnata the oldest quarry-men village and og Carrara old town to savor some local flavors.

lardo di Colonnata, pork's seasoned back-fat from Colonnata
carrara marble mines, open cast quarry
colonnata, home of lardo (pork's seasoned back-fat), local specialty
carrara old town, facade of the Duomo
farinata (cheek pee flan), local specialty
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Highlights

  • English speaking driver-guide adhering to the Travel Safely Project.
  • Private transportation.
  • Ride up to (almost) 1000 m. altitude and to watch the working opencast marble quarries.
  • In-depth information about 2000 years of excavation and transportation of Carrara marble in the quarry museum.
  • Visit Colonnata, learn more about the curing and seasoning of its lardo and experience local specialties.
  • Visit Carrara old town for admiring the historical monuments and taste some farinata, a typical street food.
Info & Booking

Tour Details

  • Tour available all year round. Since the itinerary partly involves working areas, could be subjected to modifications according to the working conditions of the visited venues. On Sundays and holidays, the itinerary could be modified.
  • Private tour with English speaking driver-guide, I do not arrange shared tours.
  • Transportation with 7 or 8 seater minivan. I opted for a minivan after having a Land Rover. The 4×4 is more adventurous but the minivan guarantees more comfort, more legroom, wider windows, air conditioning and opportunity of pick up at your hotel. Anyway, on request, I can arrange a 4×4 ride.
  • Meeting place: Carrara train station or highway exit. On request pick-up/Drop-off service can be arranged from your accommodation.
  • Duration Half Day approx. 3 hrs – Full Day approx 6 hrs.
  • Activity Level, moderate (easy pace, walk for short distances in a flat).
  • Suitable for individuals and small groups. Bigger groups please contact me for a custom quotation.
  • Half Day Prices for max 3 hrs service VAT included.
    1/4 people € 180
    5/8 people € 220
    4X4 tour quotation on request.
    Eventual visit of the underground quarry € 10,00 pp
    Families 10% discount
    Full Day Tours, on request quotation.
    Food and wine tastings are not included.
  • If you are a large group traveling by coach, we are able to organize tailored itineraires including even lunch and other services. In this case the technical organization and billing will be carried out by V&D Viaggi & Dintorni travel agency.
Info & Booking
  • Visit the CARMI, the museum dedicated to Michelangelo and Carrara marble, a unique love story.
  • Join a sculpture lesson: a piece of marble, hammer, chisel, an authentic craftsman sculptor, and your good will. At the end of the 3 hours you will have created your small Carrara marble work of art.
  • Have hiking experience or a bike tour on the marble mountains.
  • Visit one of the amazing places in the surroundings, Cinque Terre, Portofino, Florence and Tuscany.

Guided visits of Carrara marble mines, Colonnata and Carrara old town, to savor some local food specialties.

Minivan private guided excursion for foodies. Taste the real flavors of the quarrymen’s food and learn more about the local cuisine.

Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary that can be modified according to your wishes or interests, in order to make you experience local flavors that will bring to life and make the day memorable.

Meet the driver guide and depart to the marble mines area, travel along paved roads through the marble valleys and climb almost to the top (almost 1000 mt. altitude – 3000 ft), from up there the views is simply breathtaking and will be easier to learn more about the geology of such a unique white stone: Carrara marble.

Visit an open cast marble quarry, from a safe spot (approx 20 mt. far from the operations) see the Quarrymen at work in order to learn more about the modern methods of excavation.

Afterward let’s move to Colonnata, the oldest quarrymen’s village, home of one of the local delicacies: the lardo di Colonnata. It is pig’s back-fat seasoned and cured in marble tubs………simply unmissable!  Lastly, drive down to Carrara old town entirely built of its white marble, during the walk don’t miss the chance to taste some farinata (cheek-pee flan) a local street food.

Info & Booking