we will be taking a trip to this area in June. Has anyone stayed at the Grand Hotel Vittoria. We will be on a fully escorted tour, and it does not include Lucca. On our free day would you recommend that we visit this town. Any other info on this trip will be appreciated.

A few years ago, took the Grand Circle trip to Montecatini and loved our week there, I believe that was our hotel which was just fine. We also went up to Montecatini Alto (up the hill), can bus one way and take the hill train down. An easy way to Lucca is to take the train up and spend the day, all worth while. Enjoy. Halfpint

Lucca is a must-see. Definitely spend your free day there - just take the train.

Have not stayed at the Grand Hotel Vittoria, but did spend a week at the Grand Hotel e La Pace in Montecatini Terme in May 2000 - business trip. I have been to Italy several times and will state that MT is not one of my favorite places. But since you are on an escorted tour, it stands to reason you will have lots planned to make your visit enjoyable.

Try to visit one of the spas and have a massage or even a mud bath.
My daughter said it was one of the hightlights of our trip to Italy.

I've stayed twice in MT, both time at the GH Ambasciatore. The GH Vittoria is where the president of Italy stays when he's in town. It's a lovely hotel and friends that have stayed there have advised the food at dinner is very good. Lucca is an easy train ride-about 20 minutes and is worth the trip-very nice. I however would go to the Excelsior Spa which offers "estetica" treatments using Madam Borgese products-I've had various wraps (mud, seakelp,creams), massages, turkish baths, anti-cellulite procedures (yes, they work),hydrobaths - can you tell I love the spa stuff? Also, fyi, the Vittoria has a small spa on site that offers several treatments.

Stayed in Montecatini but not at that hotel.

Lucca is definitely worth a day trip; it was one of my favorites.