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Welcome to Varzi!

Why did we choose Varzi as a base most for most of our tours? Mainly because Varzi is a beautiful little medieval town nestled in a lush green valley, and Jim and I have a very fond association with this town. We have a deep love for Varzi and its surrounds and are really keen to share this with our guests on tour. Varzi has a big part of our hearts. Jim’s dad was born here, and Jim returned with his dad several times during his childhood. We also made Varzi our base for our 6 month back-packing honeymoon in 1996. During this time, we came back to Varzi from travelling in the Middle East and Africa (to rest and fatten-up!) before we headed off again to other parts of Europe. In 2005 and 2006 we packed up everything in Australia and lived here with our young sons, who experienced their very early primary school years here. It was during this time that we also made the decision to start tours based around this area and the towns we got to know and love.

Colorful streets, a plate of cured meats, and an outdoor café with the text 'Welcome to Varzi' in the center.

Varzi is a small town with a medieval heart. It’s at the southern tip of the northern Italian region of Lombardy, situated in the Oltrepò Pavese area, which is well known for its Champagne-style 100% pinot noir sparkling wines. This wine region grows over 80% of Italy’s pinot noir grapes (pinot nero in Italian). Varzi has a rich history dating back to the Roman era. The name "Varzi" is actually believed to have originated from the Latin word "Varisium," which means "a place where wild boars are hunted."



During the Middle Ages, Varzi was an important trading town and stronghold, and its strategic location made it a valuable target for many different armies. The town was occupied by various groups, including the Lombards, the Franks, and the Visconti family. Its rich history can be seen in its charming and well-preserved medieval centre.

Stone buildings, colorful streets, a church tower, and a table with wine and appetizers.

During the 19th century, Varzi played an important role in the struggle for Italian unification. The town was an important centre of resistance against foreign domination, and many of its inhabitants took part in the Italian Risorgimento movement. Varzi was also heavily involved in the battles of World War II during the 20th Century, and interestingly, briefly became a Republic after defeating the Italian Fascists and Germans in a local battle during the final years of World War II. Both of Jim’s aunties were partisans fighting against the Fascists during these horrible years of conflict.

Charming streets, a café scene, a tree-lined path, and a table with wine and snacks.

In more recent times, Varzi has become known for its beautiful scenery and outdoor activities, as it is based in the foothills of the Apennine Mountains. The town is surrounded by rolling hills and dense forests of chestnuts, maples, birch, and hornbeam, which is why it makes such a perfect area to base our walking tours around. In the summer Varzi is popular with the people of Milan, who come here to escape the summer heat and enjoy the delicious regional food. It is an authentic Italian cultural and historical experience that has very few international tourists.


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