We are doing a trip to Italy with four teenagers next year and are looking at a Segway tour of Florence. Fun with a bit of culture thrown in. Good for all ages, so they say, check it out at www.segwayfirenze.com.

We took four teenagers to a villa in the hills behind Lucca. We had a to do major surgery to drag them away from the villa. They loved the pool, hills and just hanging. However, they enjoyed going to a soccer match in Lucca, riding around the walls and going to Pisa. Cinque Terra was also a hit. We did a combo of walking and train, but they really enjoyed the boat trip back. Also the beaches were lovely.

I was really p'd off with their reaction to Florence. They hated (or one hated it and the others were indifferent)the Uffizi, they did like David.

<I hate to rush a visit but do you think a facial mask can be done w/in an hour?>

depends on the face i would suppose

i thought you were staying for a spell in Lucca so i thought a quick jaunt to neighboring Monte-C would be easy but if on the way to Florence maybe not

I second the recommendation for Sarzana. We enjoyed that little town, and found (in our opinion) the best gelato at a gelateria called Biagi.

I also suggest a trip to a Cararra marble quarry. We found it all fascinating, incl. the kids.

Parents have the fun option of enrolling their children in the Arte al Sole art and cultural day camp for children in Lucca during June and July. www.artealsole.com

As well as riding around the walls of Lucca, you can head off on the path beside the river.

Also, lots of hiking available near Lucca.