Just 10 - 15 minutes away lies pretty Bagni di Lucca, a thriving spa town in the 19th century, when Byron, Shelley and Browning were frequent visitors. Spa treatments, hot springs - highly recommended - are still available. Lucca, a graceful medieval walled town, one hour away is a delight to visit with wonderful shops. Have a cycle around the walls, lovely views and flat to cycle on. Cycling is very popular in Lucca & much easier than driving around. Florence is only 1.5 hours’ drive away.

The Garfagnana national park is fabulous walking country. There are lots of walking maps available for guests to use, as well as guides to the local area showing numbered walks. Guides to Pisa, the Uffizi Gallery, Lucca and Bagni di Lucca are also provided. The nearest beach is at Viareggio; about 90 minutes away.

Paragliding is a popular local sport.

The local tourist information office is in Bagni di Lucca. Tel no. 0039 0583 805745 fax number 0039 0583 809937. They also offer an internet point for the public. For other tourist offices see links on this site.

The office is open every day from 9.30 to 12.30 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. It is housed in a recently restored building that is well worth a visit, and was Europe's first casino. Roulette was invented in Bagni di Lucca.

Puccini Festival

Every summer there is an opera festival on the coast near Viareggio at Torre del Largo. Puccini was born in Lucca and wrote much of his work where the festival is held. Each season includes his most famous operas and arias performed by world class singers. The operas are staged a short distance from Pietrasanta where Michelangelo obtained & worked on his marble. The quarry is still in use today.
www.puccinifestival.it

Music Festival in Lucca

This festival has something for everyone, with big names appearing every summer.
www.summer-festival.com

Circolo Dei Forestieri

A recommended restaurant in Bagni di Lucca.
www.sorrentoggi.it/c_forestieri/c_forestieri.htm

Ristorante Del Sonno

A well recommended restaurant in Bagni di Lucca, they also offer cookery classes.
www.ristorantedelsonno.it

Thermal baths, Terme Jean Varraud

Hot spring water at a temperature of 54 degrees centigrade, thermal treatments and pool available in Bagni di Lucca. We have tried this in the winter & summer , definitely worth a visit. Take your own dressing gown & slippers.
www.termebagnidilucca.it

Train times

Trains from Pisa airport to Bagni di Lucca (Fornoli) are on this site. You can leave your car at the station & get to Lucca & Pisa for only a couple of euros. Then you could connect for Florence & save driving.
www.trenitalia.it

Uffizi gallery

One of the best known art galleries in the world, the Uffizi gallery in Florence.
www.uffizi.firenze.it

Weather forecasts and averages

You can get weather forecasts and averages from this website.
weather.yahoo.com

Lucca's best restaurant

La Buca di San Antonio.
www.bucadisantantonio.com