Hello, I am traveling with my family of 5 this June (3 teenagers) and as our third destination, hope to stay in the Lucca vicinity as our home base (we will have a car, think I prefer an agritursimo) where we can day trip into Lucca and access Florence by train or bus. I have read great things about http://www.lemurelle.com/ - has anyone stayed here? Thank you! Danielle
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8141 posts
You might check under Rick's Graffiti Wall for a section on Italian Agriturismos. With teenagers in June, a swimming pool might be desired. Agritursimos.com and Booking.com also have accommodations. Have you considered staying south of Florence 20 miles or so? Lucca is possibly a little quiet.
And having a car is very desirable, as there are just so many historic and art related places to see. Buses and trains are just not as efficient modes of transportation for places off the beaten path.
Posted by
Denver
787 posts
Just to provide another point of view, your teens may enjoy more staying IN a town (Lucca, Siena, etc., or even Florence, which our teen loves) where they can get out and about on their own. Also, unless you intend to eat all of your dinners at the agriturismo, you'll need to be very careful about wine with dinner if you drive to a restaurant, as Italian laws are more strict than in the U.S.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16260 posts
If you decide to take Lexma's advice and try an apartment in Lucca instead of the agriturismo, I can highly recommend th emplacement we stayed with our two teen daughters, Casa Olivieri. It has a huge master bedroom, a smaller twin bedroom, and a single bed in a third room that also has a washing machine. The living/dining room has a large table and a small sofa, and the kitchen is modern and well- equipped. We loved staying " inside the walls" and walking everywhere, as well as biking the walls. Lots of good restaurants in Lucca, and little stores in the neighborhood if you want to cook "in".
Posted by
OP
Mashpee, MA
54 posts
Thank you all for such great advice. I am now thinking about staying "inside the walls". Lola, I have sent a message to Casa Olivieri. Thank you so much for the suggestion. One question - did you have a car? We will have one. I see that there is parking in the town, but wonder if you have experienced it? Thank you!
Posted by
Green Bay
20087 posts
The Agriturismo San Gallo is outside of Lucca just below the hilltown of Monte Carlo. It has a swimming pool, cooking classes, and the local train station about a mile away with frequent local trains running between Lucca and Florence. http://www.agriturismosangallo.it/ENG/home_en.html
Posted by
OP
Mashpee, MA
54 posts
Thank you all so much for the helpful posts!!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16260 posts
Hi Danielle, we did not have a car, but there should be parking available not far from the apartment, as it is near one of the gates ( on the west side) and a major Ti with parking lot. Paola who owns the apartment should be able to advise you. She speaks good English, although she doesn't believe that herself, she apologizes for her "poor English".