Maison

Lucca is full of winding narrow streets, cobbled pavements, ancient churches with colorful frescoes, towers and terracotta roof tops, opening up into typical Italian Piazza's. However, it is a living and thriving town, as can be seen if you go for a walk down one of the main streets any day of the week, particularly at the hours of the "passeggiata"(between 5 and 8).
If you love a real Italian "espresso", or a cappuccino and pastry for breakfast, then you will be joining the lucchese in one of the numerous coffee shops, on every street in town. Pick up your freshly handmade pasta, and homemade pesto in the local deli, the famous sliced "prosciutto", and a bottle of wine from the region in our favourite wine shop, and enjoy the delights of real Italian food.
There are an endless number of restaurants to choose from (which we will personally recommend), and all within 5 minutes walk of your front door.
Lucca is almost completely pedestrianised, which makes it a pleasure to walk around, and to cycle. The walls of Lucca are a fantastic amenity, to stroll around, go for a jog, or cycle pleasantly around the 4 km circuit, whilst admiring the fabulous view of the Tuscan hills, and marble topped mountains in the distance.
Our 200 sqm (2000sq ft) apartment is on the second floor of a typical 400 year old "palazzo". Part of the apartment is actually built over a church. We are also lucky enough to have the oldest bread bakery in town right at our front door, so you can just nip downstairs to get your freshly baked bread, and irresistible "foccacia" straight out of the oven! We are on one of the most prestigious streets in Lucca, named after the famous "Guinigi" family of Lucca, and sitting on the balcony, you will be delighted to be looking up at the famous tower of Guinigi "Torre Guinigi", with its olive trees perched on top.
Although the building is 400 years old, and very characteristic (built partly over a church), we've have furnished our apartment tastefully with a modern kitchen and furnishings to enjoy comfort and conveniences of a home.(see photos). It is bright and spacious, and designed for family living.

Quartier

Besides immersing yourself in daily Italian life, there is plenty to keep you amused in Lucca. There are always art exhibitions, music recitals, markets, and special events throughout the year. Every third weekend, Lucca hosts one of the most extensive outdoor antiques markets in Europe. Everything from jewelry, to paintings, furniture and collector’s items. There is always a great buzz in town on these weekends. There is a big musical festival held in the "piazza Grande" every July, and lots of other outdoor music that you just stumble across as you stroll around the streets. Puccini was born in Lucca, and his music is celebrated at every opportunity. The tourist office will give you a list of all that is happening in Lucca.
If you are interested in learning Italian while you are here, the "Koine" school is a 1 minute walk from the house, and runs full and part time courses all year round.
Just a couple of km outside Lucca is the Tuscan country side, endless rolling hills, vineyards and olive groves. There are some beautiful villas which are worth visiting, all within easy reach. Obviously I could write a book on the sites of Tuscany, but a few people have got there before me! So I won't take up much more space raving about it, as I’m sure you’re happy to do the research yourself.
Just to add that Florence is an hour away, Pisa 30 minutes, and many other beautiful towns less than 2 hours drive, such as Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra, Todi, etc.
We are 30 minutes from the coast, which offers resorts such as Viareggio and forte di marmi, and some lovely quieter beaches which we'll happily recommend.

Airports
Pisa 30 mins
Florence 1 hour
Bologna 2 hours
Rome 3 hours
Milan 4 hours

À propos de nous

We are an Irish/Italian family, myself, Lisa, my husband Fergal, and our Three Girls, aged 10, 8, and 4. We have lived in Lucca for 6 years, and love it. We also Love traveling!
We cycle everywhere, so there are 4 bikes (2 adult) for your use if you fancy really getting into the lifestyle!
We'd be happy also to exchange are car, which has 5 seats, and 2 extra which pull up in the boot.
We have someone who cleans the house twice a week for 6 hours in total (a clean home is important to me, but i hate housework myself!).

Destination