Places to visit

Sight Seeing

 

Considering its walled magnificence, the ancient capital of the province, Lucca, is still comparatively unspoilt by the tourist invasion. Within its walls there are no modern buildings to be seen.

 

If you feel you need to leave the comfort of the house and pool, apart from Lucca and the other major tourist attractions of Pisa, Florence, Siena and San Gimignano, the whole area has many exciting places to visit.

 

There is Forte dei Marmi, the highly fashionable resort town of the Versilian Riviera and her popular rivals of Viareggio and Pietrasanta.

 

There is the incredible spectacular scenery of the numerous secret mediaeval hill top villages and towns.

 

Also there are lakes and protected National Parks as well as the famous spa towns of Bagni di Lucca, where the Brownings, Shelley and Byron used to holiday, and Montecatini Terme, where the waters have been taken for centuries and are highly recommended for liver and skin ailments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Pisa”                                                                         “San Gimignano”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Florence”                                                                “Florence  -  Ponte Vecchio”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Siena”                                                                       “Lucca -  Piazza San Michele”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Lucca  -  Piazza San Michele”                         “Skiing in Abetone”

 

 

Restaurants

(Click here to visit Food & Drink Page)

 

 

Sport

 

For the energetic there is tennis, cycling, golf and fishing.

 

Tennis is available in most of the local villages and our representative will be able to advise you on the most enjoyable. There are tennis rackets at the house and of course there is table tennis equipment there also.

 

You can hire cycles in most villages and towns and it can be great fun either cycling around the Lucca walls or perhaps along the coastal promenades.

 

Although Golf is only just catching on in Italy, there is a superb 18-hole course at Montecatini, which is set in an old olive grove with cypresses. Golf clubs are available for hire, as are buggies. It really is a wonderful set-up.

 

There are water sports all along the Versilian Riviera, less than an hours drive away.

 

When weather permits there is fishing in the River Serchio.

 

Horse Trekking

 

The horse riding and trekking is organised from numerous centres in a 32 km radius which vary in surroundings and facilities, from the ultra friendly local stables 6 km along the valley road, to the highly prestigious “Il Ciocco” Country Club 16 km away.

 

Hiking

 

The Garfagnana is ideal for hiking. Detailed maps are available at the house.

 

You can really spread your wings as there are 350 km of trails in the Garfagnana and you can plan superb trips and join the locals in one of their favourite pastimes.

 

Italians are extremely keen on their weekend pusuits and there are bound to be facilities available for whatever your particular choice is.

 

Theatre / Opera / Dancing

 

There are many concerts, operas etc. at various times of the year in Barga and Lucca, and The Puccini Festival at Torre del Lago (by Viareggio), is held at the end of July to the middle of August.

 

For the young and not so young there is a thriving all year round “discotheque” about 7 km from the house, that does have a good adult section, dancing to live bands and beer festivals from June onwards.