Most airlines land at Pisa Airport so while you're there, it's worth spending an hour or two visiting the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa!
The leaning tower stands in the Campo dei Miracoli with the Cathedral and Baptistry, both beautiful buildings but sometimes ignored!
Pisa itself is a university town with parts of the old walls still standing. The river Arno runs through the centre giving a lovely walk along its banks.
Pisa is just over an hour and a half's journey from the house.
Florence (Firenze) is a two hour train journey from Castelnuovo di Garfagnana
The train is quite cheap and easy and you can arrive in the centre of Florence for morning coffee. It's worth booking online if you want to visit any of the museums, otherwise there's plenty to see just wandering around. In my experience, it doesn't have to be expensive to eat and drink in the city.
Lucca is the most delightful city - fewer tourists than Florence, and a charming piazza round every corner!
Lucca is surrounded by 4km of tree-lined walls - you can hire bikes and ride, or walk on them looking down at the city. There are cobbled streets and piazzas, churches and towers, and a Roman amphitheatre. With old and interesting shops, bars and restaurants, Lucca is one of the loveliest places I've ever visited! One hour by car or train.
The sea is an hour's drive over the mountains, where the marble for Michelangelo's sculptures was quarried.
Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi have soft sandy beaches and a
warm gentle sea to swim in. The elegant towns have smart shops and plenty of good restaurants serving local fish.