What does Abetone offer? Put simply, a perfect ski holiday.
Abetone consists of about 50 km of slopes, for a total of about 30 tracks, served by 22 ski lifts managed by the Multipass consortium.
It is useless to try to explain the feeling that fills the heart at the first sight of snow. A little over an hour after leaving Florence you enter the pretty village of San Marcello Pistoiese, the perfect stop for your first coffee. It's not really a mountain town – the architecture isn't that yet – and it's not unusual to watch someone order large slices of cake at Bar Baccarini, already wearing some ski equipment, excited for the holiday that awaits them. San Marcello Pistoiese is also the headquarters of Dynamo Camp, the only association in Italy that offers free active holidays to children with disabilities and their families. No wonder this village has such a happy atmosphere.
Half an hour later you arrive at Abetone (1,388 m): bring several coins for parking, it is 6 euros per day and the ski pass for adults, valid for one week, costs 161 euros.
N.B. Coming out on Monte Gomito (1,892 m), do you seem to see the sea in the distance? Are those outcrops islands or clouds playing tricks on you? No, that's the Tyrrhenian Sea, there are Corsica and Sardinia and the islands of the Tuscan archipelago. To be left speechless.
The best restaurants in Abetone
And in this special place, after a day spent in the snow, where do you go to eat dishes suitable for cold climates? And what? Spoiler alert: you will find many types of mushrooms, truffles, berries, game meat and fried foods on the menu.
The Casina
Via Brennero, 245, 51021 Abetone
A very cozy restaurant, with outdoor tables, perfect on beautiful sunny days. The menu is typical, made of potato gnocchi with truffle and polenta with stew, the portions are nice and abundant and everything that comes out of the kitchen is done with care and don't miss their proverbial raspberry grappa. Negative note: they do not accept reservations, once you arrive someone will take your name and you will be called when there is room. The wait will be worth it.
The Bruco
Via Giardini, 87/a, Fiumalbo
A very welcoming restaurant on the road that connects Abetone with Fiumalbo: in the same structure there is also a hotel, and it is divided into a large room and some smaller rooms; The kitchen is open, often synonymous with a lot of passion in the dishes. The staff is courteous and accommodating, and the quality of the food is king; The waiting times are more than fair: the fried and the first courses are the ones that really remain in the heart. At Il Bruco you can book.
By Dario
Via del Lago 42, Fiumalbo
Quiet restaurant just outside the village, really ideal for eating Florentine steak or tagliata. Generous portions, tortellini and tortelloni you absolutely have to taste.
N.B. The meat is served on a griddle: for those who want rare cooking, we recommend that you don't leave it on it for too long. Really good choice of wines.
Image sources: Firenza Made in Tuscany, Volo scontato, Hotelmix
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