Many first-time visitors assume the white mountain peaks forming Carrara's backdrop are capped with snow. In fact, the view provides a breathtaking illusion – the lunar white is 2000 hectares of marble gouged out of the foothills of the Apuane Alps in vast quarries that have been worked since Roman times.
Today you'll have the privilege to discover this unreal world thanks to a terrific off-road 4×4 trip in the stunning scenery of the Carrara marble basins, where some scenes of the James Bond Quantum of Solace film were shooted! With a professional driver and a tour guide you will experience the thrill of traveling along winding, steep roads (usually inaccessible to most visitors) together with the trucks that, during the working days, transport the marble blocks downhill. A unique, once in a life experience in which you will witness the ongoing battle between man and the majestic mountains that keep this precious material at their inside.
We'll drive through a steep marble road connecting open-air active quarries and you will be plunged into a scenery of unparalleled beauty and very detailed information about both ancient and modern methods of excavation will be given. The Apuan-Versilian coastline, the Ligurian sea, Portovenere, the picturesque Cinque Terre villages and the Gulf of La Spezia will be the perfect picture you will be able to take from a very panoramic spot.
To conclude you will taste the special “Quarryman Breakfast” experiencing the typical meal of local miners discovering as well the real lardo di Colonnata I.G.P., the traditional herbed backfat that is left to age into white marble vats in the near village of Colonnata.
The tour includes:
Mini van /Car to pick you up and drive back to your accommodation
Guide
Private Tour of 60 minutes with a jeep
Quarry man breakfast
Entrance to Walter Danesi open air museum to discover more about the excavation process and discover some marble features
Timing: Circa 5 hours
