enzian

We have several days in Lucca, with no specific daytrips planned. We will already have been to Florence, and will be ready for some outdoor activity with our athletic and adventurous daughters (18 and 22).

I came across photos of the beaches on Elba and it looks pretty cool. I had no idea it was so close to the Tuscan coast. I know it would be a longish train journey (2.5 hours each way) to the ferry at Piombino, but if we take the hydrofoil we would still have a full afternoon to explore---maybe rent bicycles, ride to a beach and swim?

Am I totally out of my mind, or could this be a fun daytrip?

Thanks for your help, as always.

enzian

Anyone?

I was expecting at least an "able was I ere I saw Elba" or something!

LoveItaly

Hello enzian, I have never visited Elba but I have a friend in Italy that goes there ever summer with a group of fellows as they all love outdoor sports. I have no idea if this would make a good day trip or not as they tend to stay there for several days. I do owe him a phone call and if I reach him I will ask him his thoughts and report back here on this thread.

yorkshire

I am considering going to Elba to stay a few nights, but I don't know if it would be worth the time expenditure for only a day trip. What about Cinque Terre for hiking?--that would be easy, and there are other hikes if you've already done that or think it will be too crowded. I am looking into Lucca as well, and maybe heading to the Garfagana after to hike. good luck!

markrosy

Wow - this sound very familiar!

This is the trip that we did 18 months ago and that I have been pushing it ever since. We flew into Pisa, drove to Lucca and had a great time there - it is very different from most Italian cities due to the lack of cars and the huge city walls.

We then drove down to Piombino which is absolutely awful. Don't not under any circumstances plan to spend more than 10 minutes in this town. From memory the ferry took around an hour.

We spent a week on Elba and absolutely loved it. As with most of Italy it has its own regional feel and this is very welcoming and friendly. In common with the other neighbouring islands the beaches are very good.

However, yes you would be mad. It is very far for a day trip - why not overnight?

enzian

We will be going to Cinque Terre after Lucca and locked into dates so we can't spare a night to spend on Elba. I thought it migh tbe fun to just go have a look so we would know how to better plan a longer stay.

But I'm becoming convinced that it is a crazy idea for a daytrip.

Are there any other options for a nice beach on the Tuscan coast? I'm trying to find us a place to swim if possible. My map shows a national park all along the coast between Viareggio and Livorno, but I can't find any information on that.

Where do Tuscans go if they want a swimming beach close to home?

Yorkshire--what is Garfagnana like? I suppose if we could get up into the Apuane Alps it would be cooler than in Lucca?

enzian

OK---maybe a beach along the Versilia coast, specifically Marina di Pietrasanta or Forte de Marmi? Would that be a nice place to swim?

We can get to Pietrasanta by train, explore the town and the scupture exhibits, and then rent bikes to ride 3 km to the beach. at least that's what I found on some websites.

yorkshire

I'll let you know after my trip in late May, if I make it there--still figuring out what we'll do!

ekscrunchy

This is an intriguing idea, Enzian.

I have been long curious about Elba and would also be interested in a combination of Lucca and the Tuscan coast or Elba.

I hope that more info will be forthcoming about the Pietrasanta/Versilla coast.....as well as about Elba..

On a vaguely related note, here is a link to an agriturismo on the Tuscany-Liguria border that sounds really nice:

http://www.agriturismomonteverde.it/ing/apartments.html

scot1

we flew to pisa, got train to piombino( i agree - horrid place,petro chemical city!!) & boat to Elba took 1 hour, would totally recommend it, we stayed for a week at campsite just outside Portoferraio - camping rosselbe de palme,you can hire bikes from the guy we hired a car from www.twn-rent.it/ing/intro/intro.html lovely guy called simone.Check out websites www.infoelba.com/www.elba.org for info, worth a visit

kefford

I went to Elba in 1969 for two weeks and loved it. Am hoping to get back there in June. The hotel we stayed at, Franks (which is actually on the beach at Narengo), is still there so it will be a really nostalgic visit. Does anyone know how to get to Piombino from Latina (the other side of Rome)by train or coach?