Fodor's Expert Review Locanda l'Elisa

Editor's Note: This location is no longer in operation.

Surrounded by rosemary, lavender, and azaleas, this hotel preserves the intimacy of a well-furnished home; it's decorated in Empire style, with 19th-century furniture, prints, and fabrics. When Napoléon's sister, Elisa Baciocchi, arrived in Lucca to preside over it as a princess, she came with an entourage. One member built this delightful indigo villa 3 km (2 miles) south of Lucca. The attached restaurant elevates Lucchesi specialties, such as tordelli lucchese con sfoglia di farina di farro integrale al ragù d'anatra (tortelli with farro in a duck sauce), to new heights.