Could anyone suggesta moderately priced hotel..perhaps 3 star...in Lucca, within the walls. Any restaurant suggestions or other hints would also be most appreciated.

Carol, Look at a nice B&B at laromea.com<BR>or search and find the Piccolo Puccini.<BR>Both are well located and reasonable.<BR>For a great meal, try the Bucca di San Antonio--but get reservations. Il Giglio is a good option as well. Good luck--you will like Lucca.

Just got back from a week in Lucca. Try Trattoria da Leo for a real local, excellent dinner. Stayed in a villa 10 kms outside of Lucca, so I don't know any hotels in the walls, but Lucca is magical, and you will love its charm.

carole:<BR><BR>definately the albergo san martino. right by the duomo. wonderful little *** very close to the wall and a stones throw from the center of town. check it out at http://www.albergosanmartino.it/inglese.htm also try trattoria da guido. about 5 minutes (or less) from san michele. have a great trip and drive up to barga while you are there. very beautiful.<BR><BR>bill

Look into the Albergo San Martino, Via Della Dogana 9 in Lucca. (There is a web site.) We stayed there in May and were very pleased. Very central inside the walls. Agree with Bob the Nav. that buca di san antonio is the best restaurant in town. For fun try the Trattoria da Leo. Great value, good food with lots of character. In our view Da Giulio is terribly over rated. Nothing really outstanding and if you want you can eat cheaply. We did not do so and were not impressed. Acutally we were very disappointed. If you get to Pisa (not to far away) run do not walk to the Osteria dei Cavalieri, via san frediano 16, Pisa. Super in all respects.

many thanks for all your tips.I,ll keep a print-out with me.

Stayed in Piccolo Puccini in May of '01 and found it to be nice, great location w/in the walls. Think it was only a 2 star, probably b/c of no A/C. Ceiling fan was adequate at that time of year.

Avoid Albergo Diana if you are the least bit sensitive to smoke. The peson at the front desk smoked constantly and the entire first floor reeked. The hotel did not accept credit cards when I was there.

We stayed at the Albergo Diana, inside the walls, but stayed at the annex, a separate building around the corner which was new inside. Nice enough but not much character, we could have been in the Holiday Inn! There is no staff based at the annex so no issue with smoke.<BR>www.albergodiana.com<BR>We also ate at Trattoria de Leo - and here is a tip. We arrived 5 mins before it opened and stood around with about 8 others waiting for the doors to open. Within 10 mins of opening the place was full, so get there early!!<BR>Kay

We stayed at the Albergo Diana, inside the walls, but stayed at the annex, a separate building around the corner which was new inside. Nice enough but not much character, we could have been in the Holiday Inn! There is no staff based at the annex so no issue with smoke. No problem with taking our credit card (March 2002). <BR>www.albergodiana.com<BR><BR>We also ate at Trattoria de Leo - and here is a tip. We arrived 5 mins before it opened and stood around with about 8 others waiting for the doors to open. Within 10 mins of opening the place was full, so get there early!!<BR>Kay