You are correct in that Lucca is pretty compact (and FLAT). You'll be fine anywhere within the walls, but like almost any town/village/city in the world the more towards the "center" you are the more action there is.

I think you'll like Lucca a lot. Less traveled by most toursits, lots to offer. I may have mentioned this in an earlier posting to you but be sure to eat at Buca di SantAntonio (www.bucadisantantonio.it).

Thanks uflecku! Now I just have to choose between sooo many apartments!

The old part of Lucca is not that big so if you are inside the walls anywhere, it is only a short walk to anything. You should decide if you prefer the hustle and bustle of the center, or the calm of the edges. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

I e-mailed Casa Frati last year, but they did not have a twin room. I also drove by one day and while one side has nice views the other side is not attractive. If you click on the satellite version of the map, you can see what's to the other side.
http://www.nautilus-mp.com/tuscany/a...ati/mappa.html

What will the weather be like in November? My husband would possibly like to go to Italy in October but I don't like cold or wet weather for travel.

Good observation kybourbon. I guess I'll just have to make sure all my photos capture the pretty side only. What is the grey/brown area to the east? We're actually in a 2B 2B flat (maybe cottage?). It will be the midpint of our trip, so I'm sure my mom and I will both be grateful for the extra space!

Ronda - I use www.wunderground.com to get historical averages including rainfall. For Tuscany I found this site to be particularly useful for average temps for regions of Tuscany http://www.knowital.com/weather/tuscany/ . But I always keep in mind that averages are no guarantee!

That grey/brown area is a plowed field. I think you will love the location and views.

The first week of November Tuscan weather was:

Days--Very pleasant if sun was out. Just a long sleeved shirt needed. Some days it was overcast with occasional light showers. Those days required a rain coat or light jacket.

Nights--much colder. You'll want a coat, scarf, gloves.

I would think October would be almost perfect. The autumn colors were fabulous.

Oh ... if it's plowed fields it might be green when we visit, even better!

I tried another email to Casa Frati but still no answer... I even tried translating it on google and sending an Italian version... what else can I do? We'd really like to stay there.

phone?

I agree, maybe call? Also, maybe the italian email will work. I did send my email in Italian.

I need some advice on parking in Lucca. I know there is free parking outside the walls, and pay lots within. I would like to find an apartment near parking. On our last day we will be leaving around 3 am, and I don't want to be dragging our luggage far at that time.

I'm completely confused about the parking lots within the walls. How do I get to them without violating the ZTL? Is driving within the walls insane like it is in Rome or Florence? Finally I can't find a map showing the lots. The best I found is actually on the site of an aprtment http://www.viadeiborghi.it/Map.html

yeshekathy,

Check your junk mail folder. Sometimes emails from Italy are blocked from your inbox.

try the www.viamichelin.com website.

i think that that shows car parks as well as road names.

well I have checked my junk mail daily and written to casa frati in Italian - no luck yet. I can't find a phone number on the web. Did you get one when they answered with your booking aimeekm?

Here is the number http://www.tuscanyholidayaccommodati...cany/id:41610/

Good luck!

Try searching Lucca ZTL map on Google. I found one before our trip which showed where we should not drive. I don't remember if it showed parking as well, but you can park at the train station if you are staying near there.

Don't worry about driving in Lucca. It's nothing like Rome or Florence. It's a small town. The old part where you want to stay isn't far from the highway. It's easy to get to.

yeshekathy - Phone, cell phone and e-mail is on the link I gave above.
http://www.nautilus-mp.com/tuscany/a...ati/index.html

There are quite a few places in Pienza. If you are going in October, you might prefer to be in town. I've stayed in these apartments before.
http://www.ilgiardinosegretopienza.it/

Found a place in Lucca that hits most of my criteria, I'd appreciate some opinions!

http://www.homelidays.co.uk/lucca/ap...-321651en1.htm

Pros:
2 Bedrooms
1st Floor
Balcony
Private Parking

Cons:
No reviews
No laundry
No wifi

In my email requesting availability I asked to describe the parking. The response I got was "Riguardo al posto auto per il momento non posso darvi una risposta." Which Google translated as "With regard to parking for the moment I can not give you an answer." So I thought that was an odd response, or maybe just a Google mistranslation? Or maybe because he was responding from his Iphone?