hotel ilaria in lucca
 

Any info on this hotel? Has anyone stayed there lately?? I have emailed them and have had no response-- is there transportation to the Pisa airport from Lucca??? <BR>Thank s <BR>Mary

Mary, I am no help. But would like to piggyback on your question. <BR> <BR>I am also looking to stay in Lucca. Any hotel recommendations are appreciated. Is it feasible to base a Tuscany vacation out of here including a visit to Cinque Terre?

I don't know if there is dedicated service to the airport from Lucca. However, trains and buses run frequently between Lucca and Pisa and you can always catch a cab from the train station in Pisa to the airport. <BR> <BR>In my opinion, Lucca is not central enough as a base for touring Tuscany, especially if you want to visit Montalcino, Montepulciano, etc. The distance in Tuscany are not great, but I don't like day trips that are much more than an hour away by car. The selection of a base really depends on what you're interested in seeing.

Can't help with Hotel Ilaria, but can recommend two others; Villa la Principessa is a little bit outside the city but is a hotel in an old villa with good food; La Luna is smaller but is located near V.Fillungo near the old Roman Amphitheater, convenient to walking to restaurants, sites and shopping. I agree that Lucca is not really central enough in Tuscany for a base for all of Tuscany, but for Cinque Terre it would be possible. La Spezia or Lerici fould be better. But, I wouldn't want to miss Lucca either--it's a great example of a Tuscan walled city with wide walls that you can walk or bike on. The perfect size for walking and very nice people.

I have to agree that Lucca is probably not the best place to be your home base for Tuscany. But definetly don't miss this little town. It is wonderful. Also we stayed at the Villa la Principessa and it was very nice. Our friends stayed at the Villa San Michele and it was also very nice and much better priced. You must have a car for both of these as they are outside of town onthe road to Pisa.

I haven't stayed there, but the Piccolo Hotel Puccini (I think that's the name), has been highly recommended by many posters here. It's in the center of Lucca. It sounds so charming it's where I will stay when I get to Lucca.

Piccolo Hotel Puccini is very centrally located near to San Michele's church with the beautiful angel on top. The only downside might be noise. Be sure to eat lunch or dinner at the Buca Sant'Antonio near Puccini's home. It's a wonderful old restaurant.