Insights, restaurants and comments

Insights

Lucca (20 minutes) is one of Tuscany's most fascinating towns. Historic walls enclose a bustiling centre of medieval streets, Romanesque churches, museums and statly pallazzi. The centre is pedestrianised and you can join the locals by hiring a bike and cycling around the walls (4 kilometres) or discover a variety of quiet piazzas and parks for a leisurley coffee or lunch.

Montecarlo (15 minutes) small historical hill town famous for wine producing. Several wine producers offer tastings and cellar visits.

Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi (45 minutes) famous beach resorts popular with local Tuscans.

The Garfagnana (1 hour) - a spectacular mountain and river valley area with pretty villages and some of Tuscanys best walking.

Volterra (45 minutes) Lovely medieval hill town famous for alabaster production.

Elba (2.5 hours including ferry journey) beautiful island with some of Tuscanys best beaches.

Cinque Terre (2 hours) - Five spectacular villages spill down from cliffs to picturesque harbours with restaurants, cafes and shops.

Restaurants

There is a good selection of places to eat in the surrounding area, we provide a list of our favourites in each apartment. i.e.

Buti (10 minute drive) Alloro - (pizzeria) popular with locals, good menu and reasonable prices. Pacci - good restaurant serving selection of meat and fish dishes. Il Cristallo - (trattoria) popular with walkers for Sunday lunch.

Orentano (10 minute drive) Da Benito - (pizzeria/trattoria) very popular with locals for steaks. Da Vito - (pizzeria) good atmosphere and pizzas. Ragno D'Oro - (pizzeria) cheap and cheerful with outside eating area.

Colognara (15 minute drive) La Cantina da Alfredo - (restaurant) local legend for good food, atmosphere and prices There is a wide range of restaurants in and around Lucca from rustic pizzerias to gourmet restaurants.

Comments

There is an olympic size pool at Bientina about 10 minutes away complete with very high diving platforms! If you arrive after 4pm the charge is only five euros (11 euros for the full day) including sun loungers (there is also a pool at the Frantoio). (Andy)

We went to Florence for the day by train from a local town and it was really easy and cheap, we would recommend that over driving to make it more relaxing. We went to the local wine shop and the deli's to get lovely food and there is a barbecue available. (Lindsay and friends, Lincolnshire)