Marble quarry in Fantiscritti valley, Carrara, Italy.

© Tupungato/Shutterstock

Cava di Fantiscritti

Northwestern Tuscany

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Head up the mountain to this dusty, truck-busy cava de marmo (marble quarry), through a dramatic series of tunnels used by trains to transport marble from 1890 until the 1960s when trucks took over. At the Fantiscritti Quarry entrance, pick a 40-minute guided tour by minibus and on foot of the Ravaccione 84 gallery inside the quarry, run by Marmotour, or pick a Bond-style 4WD tour of the open-cast quarries run by various unofficial operators lurking around on-site. Or book ahead with Cave di Marmo Tours.

Yes, the Bond movie Quantum of Solace was shot here. Both type of tours are highly dramatic.

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