Coming from Tuscany or Emilia, Liguria first shows the alluvial plain formed by the river Magra, where you can find the towns of Sarzana, Ameglia and Ortonovo. The Magra valley, whose particular biodiversity enchants the visitor who, after breathing history visiting Sarzana and the ruins of the ancient Roman Harbour of Luni, can plunge himself into the nature of the Natural park of Montemarcello-Magra.

A walk inside this natural park and a visit to the botanical garden gives the possibility to discover the great variety of vegetation of this area: from the maquis to the garigue, from Aleppo pines to deciduous oak woods.

Sarzana can be a good starting point for a visit of the surroundings, especially for the numerous castles and fortresses, whose interiors are worth a visit. From the two fortresses of Sarzana, Sarzanello and Firmafede you can also leave for a mountain bike tour touching also the localities of Ponzanello and Fosdinovo.

After a so demanding cycle ride it is possible to spoil yourself with the tasting of the “Spongata” cake, a medieval receipt rich in candied fruits, and a glass of the Colli di Luni wine. Sarzana is also a paradise for collectors and antiques lovers: during the month of August among the streets of the old town the annual appointment with the “Soffitta in strada” takes place: a bric à brac market in which it is possible to do good bargains.

Moving towards the sea and the mouth of the Magra you find Ameglia, whose territory has been inhabited since the most ancient times, as the ruins of a necropolis dating back to the 4th Century AD and of a Roman Villa in the locality Bocca di Magra testify.
The area, thanks to the closeness with the Montemarcello Natural Park, offers good possibilities for bird watchers to discover the different bird species connected with this particular water habitat.

The best periods for the watching are spring and autumn, but the excursions along the river are really interesting in every part of the year. Getting closer to the river gives the possibility to recognize the typical chirping of the Cetti’s Warbler, a typical inhabitants of the cane-brakes. On the gravelly river bed it is easy to see the egret and the heron, while the calm waters of the small lakes around the river are the house of several stock ducks.