crazyfamilyof4

Ciao everyone ... For those new I will fill you in on part 1-3 , 1=London, 2=France( Uzes,Paris,Disney, Sarlat), 3=Barcelona

Ok so onto part 4 ... We decided we would go via ferry from Barcelona to genoa ... This was an overnight option and for 4 of us it cost around 350euros. Although I wasn't what we quite expected it was in my option a hell of a lot less stressful then the trains as the ports weren't anywhere near as crowded as the train stations and we were escorted and helped by a porter to our room that had a toilet and shower.

So we arrive in genoa at a very industrial style port ... No waiting taxis that's for sure! Thankfully with our limited Italian we were able to get one of the staff to call a taxi for us and off we went to collect our car.

We ordered this car through europcar from Australia and it was a great experience ... They were open early and had our car ready with the kids car seats and everything. They really went over the way the VW worked and my hubby felt as confident as h could as we drove away.

The drive to Lucca went fine until we hit the city wall. I have no idea why our hotel to,d s we could drive to them ... The streets were so narrow and with markets on and a summer festival it was an experience I will not forget!

We parked in an ally way and I got out to find the hotel and explain the situation ... Which was then responded with a try this street .. I am sure on a Vespa it would of been fine but with a station wagon I just said to hubby lets just park outside the wall and walk so....

Off we go but then we find a parking spot so we park and I go back to our hotel to get the permit and I take with me the 2large cases.

On arriving back to the hotel I am told our permit allows us to drive I. The walls but not park and that we must find a blue bay and pay for parking. No worries... Off I go back to explain this to hubby ..only I get lost! I mean completely and utterly lost! Now don't get me wrong there are worse places to get lost in...this is a beautiful town but after 2hrs I was starting to stress. I knew I had parked on a Main Street outside a school but for some reason no one seemed to know this school and kept telling me to go to this other one!

Anyway I finally found my way back! Best feeling ever! And off we went to park outside the wall but found our blue bay inside the wall. It is in an unsecured section but there is nothing in there for them to steal so fi gets crossed it'll be in fine condition tomorrow morning!

So car parked, family back together, time to go together to the hotel/ apartment to start our Italian journey

Our hotel/apartment is just wonderful! Huge! Sensational location! It actually overlooks the stage that the summer festival concert is on. So that's really cool!

The kids love the space and I love that outside my door I have a coffee vending machine that makes the perfect coffee for 60ceuro and can get soft drink and water for less then a dollar!

Once everyone had gotten over our morning drama we headed off for lunch and laughter ... We decided to go to a place I had found on my way with a wonderful waiter who was English and really helped me out. I have misplaced the card now but when I find it I will post it because if you like seafood it was a great place to go if you are not confident with speaking Italian etc.

We then went to the tourist bureau and supermarket and then headed back to rest.

A couple of hours went in a second ..our apartment had a tv channel that had all my kids favourite shows on ...so we literally got to rest in silence ...bliss!

Then we headed out for some street shopping and dinner. There are amazing antique market stallion this weekend. I have fallen in love with a handmade doll(120yrsold) that the lady wants 150euro for and a Pinocchio metal toy from the early 1900's again wanting just a wee fortune of 300euro! It was great looking at this stuff! Look forward to exploring it some more in the morning!

Dinner was at a very expensive restaurant ... It was nice and the kids loved the food ... I think I got one or two bites of my osso bucco and my son ate the rest! But for the 100euro it cost us it was nothing like the meal from Uzes!

So that is the start of the adventure! We plan over the next couple of days in this area to go to sienna and cinque terra for some day tripping. Might even go up to the beach ... But we will also make sure we explore this magical city .

Ok...suggest away people! We are here for 4nights and then are driving up to Varenna

Elizabeth_S

Are you aware of the Pinocchio theme park in nearby Collodi which was the home of the author of Pinocchio. Kids might enjoy it.

Reading54

In Lucca, try Vecchia Trattoria Buralli (in the old town and close to the northern wall). Reasonable prices and its grilled pork and pasta ragu were very good.

If you like pizza and fried seafood platter, try Trattoria pizzeria Da Francesco, outside the wall and on the same street as the Lucca train station (3 minutes walk from the train station.) It's Margherita pizza was the best pizza we've ever had during our 21-day trip last year.

Enjoyed Following along on your trip.

Digbydog

Claire--you are killing me with the repeated references to the great meal in Uzes!!! I will never forgive myself for passing that one up.

stevewith

The Pinocchio theme park gets some pretty terrible online reviews. Look it up on Tripadvisor. In hot weather, you might prefer the beach. I might pick Forte dei Marmi for ease.

Siena is really quite far for a daytrip from Lucca. Le Cinque Terre at this time of year will be slammed with tourists, and parking will be a challenge. Also, it is really hot to be hiking those hills. There is no shade, no good beaches.

Something your kids might enjoy is the funicular that goes up to Montecatini Alta, which is quite close to Lucca.

KL467

Was with you with your first three parts and still with you!

cathies

Following

WiredPuppy

Bookmarking

bendigo

still stalking (and freezing in Oz!)

crazyfamilyof4

Oh I love Pinocchio!!!! I'm sure it'll be a cute hr or 2 activity. Thanks for the tips everyone! Will hopefully find those restaurants and in regards to cinque terra...I am going to retread my old planning posts...I think there was a suggestion to drive to a town and catch a ferry and do a boating experience and then back for some lunch etc... I never thought hiking would be a good idea with my 2 crazy kids!

We had planned on being on the road first thing but my kids are still fast asleep so for once hubby and I are sitting here all dressed and ready to go waiting for the kids In the morning

jamikins

Hi Claire, as you know we just gat back from Lucca, isn't it great!?

We did a day trip to Siena and the drive was about 2 hours each way. We took the smaller roads out and the views were lovely, but it took a bit longer. The church is gorgeous and the large semi- circle square is a great place to people watch and enjoy a gelato. Not sure how there is there for the kids though...it was a bit far for us for a day trip but we enjoyed it.

We had a couple great pizzas at a family run place just outside the walls called La Tanna Dell'Orco. I'll try to find the address for you.

Our B&B recommended a place to have excellent meat as well. This is where she goes with friends (she was born and raised in Lucca and barely spoke English). You definitely need reservations, but the florentine steak was to die for and will feed your entire family! The owners father runs a restaurant outside of Lucca that serves meat from the family farm and is booked 3 months in advance...and this is where the son sources his meat from. It looks touristy, but the locals eat after 9pm I was told. I'll look that up as well!

Enjoy!

jamikins

Ok pizza place's address is


Viale Regina Margherita, 259, Lucca, Province of Lucca
+39 389 023 3234

jamikins

And this is the meat place http://www.trattoriarusticanella2.com/

Enjoy!

klondike

We ate at this Osteria with little ones; the owners were most accommodating, the food was very traditional and affordable, and it is just around the corner from San Michele.
Osteria Da Rosolo
3, Corte Francesco Campana - 55100 Lucca (LU)
tel: 0583 312037

We also like Da Nonna Clara...again traditional food & pizza, right on the high-traffic street leading into centro storico from one of the portals; it looks like a tourist trap but the locals eat here too and the food is home-made. I loved their spaghetti al vognole.
Da Nonna Clara
via Santa Croce, 71
0583-464307

Elizabeth_S

klondike - thanks for posting the info re Da Nonna Clara. We spent a month in Lucca earlier this year and had a lovely lunch there but hadn't noted the name. The stuffed squash blossoms were excellent and they serve pizza during the day. Very friendly staff.

crazyfamilyof4

Ooohhh thanks for those tips!!! No point reinventing the wheel hopefully ill find a few of those places

Went to Siena today ... Had to tick this off my Tuscany bucket list ... So glad I chose Lucca to stay at as the hills in Siena killed me! But I adored the drive and view ! We just kept to the highway ... Took us just over the hour.

Parked inside the wall at il campo ... Seemed a good location but the walk back nearly killed us after a big lunch!

We went straight to the piazza for a gleto and coffee to map out our plan and reapy the sunscreen

From here we wandered the streets and ticked off the tourist places to see as well as a few great street/alley views ...

Found a little side street restaurant and had a delicious lunch and then called it a day and drove home.

Kids had their siesta and now we are recharging ready for tea tonight.

Have loved today .. How gorgeous are the sunflower fields!

Thanks everyone for continuing to guide me chat soon

NicolettaLuciana

bookmarking

crazyfamilyof4

ARgh! and double ARGH! It had to happen! Tonight was not a good night! between hubby and I having the argument over dinner to the kids having the meltdowns because we had overloaded them on Fanta today (well that is what I telling myself) we had a very angry and uneventful night! Our meal was not very nice at all. DO NOT EAT AT CAFE GARBY or something like that it is near this drinking fountain of a lady with a bath that the locals fill their water bottles from. Then we have come home to plan for tomorrow and do you think I can find the advice about how to tackle Cinque Terre.

Here is hoping tomorrow is going to be a great day because after the night we have had I don't think we will have much tolerances for dramas that's for sure!

Oh and on a side note . .I drove past that Pinocchio place ...seemed really run down and a place to go a have a swim so we won't bother.

bilboburgler

Crazy a fair number of cities are not designed for cars, who ever booked you into Lucca should have noticed, especially as the parking outside the walls is so good. Where else are you staying?

Some cities ban cars even though they can fit in the roads, so take care.

crazyfamilyof4

we are driving to Varenna . . I am told we have a parking bay at our apartment! that's it though . .besides the driving around. The lady said that she has had others have no issues and it depends on the GPS system and how it takes you etc I suggested she just tells her guests to either park outside the walls or just inside ...much easier! We are inside the walls but literally just inside and it is a stones throw from where we are staying! Also she suggested spending 30euro a day for secured parking and the parking in the walls is only payable from 8-8 so with site seeing in the day we really are only spending 5 euro for parking!

Hoping someone can suggest how to tackle the Cinque Terre tomorrow ..I believe I am meant to drive to a train station and then take the train to each little town . . any chance there is a ferry or something that will go for a boat ride along to see these coloured houses . .that's all I really want to see . . to see that from the ocean and then find one little spot to sit and get a photo with the water and the houses in the background and then go somewhere for a yummy lunch and if we aren't too exhausted a play at the beach.

Doable????