Gourmet Tour - Quarrying Carrara Marble

Enjoy a comprehensive tour of the quarries in the Apuan Alps that have supplied Carrara marble since Roman times. The mountains contain a staggering amount of marble that was prized even before Michelangelo selected some of it to sculpt his Pietà and David. While traveling through the alps, you will pause to view Ponti di Vara, a centuries-old bridge used to transport marble, and Fantiscritti, an outdoor quarry museum of sorts that will clearly show the challenges of excavating, transporting and processing Carrara white marble. The quarry is a fascinating sight, especially considering that the mountains have yielded an endless supply of marble for more than 2,000 years. Some of it is used to make chests for aging lardo – or seasoned pure pork fat. Quarrymen have long eaten the high-energy delicacy, and you have the opportunity to sample this melt-in-your-mouth treat while enjoying other Italian dishes for lunch.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Travel into the Apuan Alps, where Carrara marble has been quarried for 2,000 years.
• View an unusual outdoor museum that shows how the marble is quarried, step by step.
• Enjoy a lunch of Italian specialties, including a high-energy snack that quarrymen eat.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.