Pavullo nel Frignano

South of Modena, the Apennines achieve majestic proportions near the border with Tuscany. The region has perfect updrafts for hang-gliding and sailplanes, especially around Pavullo and Montecreto. Pavullo is the largest village in the Modenese Apennines, the capital of a little region called the Frignano, where the most astonishing sight is a 100ft cedar of Lebanon in the gardens of the old Palazzo Ducale; the modest Palazzo has a small museum with exhibitions of contemporary art.

Just south of Pavullo, the village of Montecuccolo lies in the shadow of a thoroughly romantic little castle (11th-14th c.), the Castello di Montecuccolo; recently reopened, it has great views and a museum.