Not Everybody may know…

Today I would like to spend some words about the breathtaking countryside around Lucca.

I must to do it as you know what to expect. The typical inquire I daily receive is for a villa with garden, pool and panorama located near Lucca and within a walking or cycling distance to a small village in order to but bread and groceries for the day. Preferably walking distance to a restaurant – not expensive – also. Wi-fi and air conditioning is very appreciated, often a “must be”.
Well, I am very sorry to say that something like that… almost… does not exist… not around Lucca… (except for very few exceptions in a unordinary price level).
In the common imaginary Lucca means Tuscany and Tuscany means Siena and Florence. Yes it is true. Lucca Siena and Florence belong to the same Region, Tuscany… but the surrounding countryside they offer is completely different one from each other…
that’s’ right the reason why Tuscany is consider one of the most beautiful land of the world… as its landscape is continuously changing… and one is better than the other.. but at the end you don t know which one you prefer. In one word you fall in love of Tuscany wherever you are holidaying….

Lucca’s countryside is very rural but it isn't like the most famous Tuscan sceneries of Siena or Florence's countryside, which is quite flat, with yellow rolling low hills with larger roads leading you from one small village to another one… but it is in fact the opposite. Usually between the Villa and Lucca there isn’ t anything.. no small villages spread all around where you can walk or cycle for a visit or for a coffee…

So first of all you must have a car, otherwise you'd literally be stranded. You will need it for everything, from going to the local restaurant to going grocery shopping or reaching the city. There is no form of public transportation in most areas, so you cannot depend on that. Unless you are professional cyclist or a mountain biker you cannot stay in our countryside without a car.

The roads usually run uphill amongst olive oil trees and vineyards, sometime also inside a wood, and they are narrow and steep most of the time, with lots of narrow bends and in complete countryside.
The entrances to the villa's are usually, again, very narrow and sometimes steep.

I am not trying to put you off, but just warning you and trying to give you a good idea of what it's really like, so you can be well prepared. I don t want you to spend a lot of time looking for something that cannot be found. So if you wish to holiday in a villa in Lucca’s countryside you probably have to do without the walk to the town in the morning... but in a short driving distance you find everything you may need...

Let me tell you! I was born in Lucca and grew up in the countryside and now I live within the city's walls.. I am very happy but I often miss my countryside, my wood, my olive oil trees and the panorama over the valley leading to the town..  but I am also very fortunate as my parents live still there and i can escape from everything in a "few" minutes driving....

I honestly stronlgy reccommend you to try the experience in our contryside ... you will enjoy an unforgettable atmosphere. In fact, the up-side to all of this, is that it is literally an escape from 'civilization', you have breath-taking panoramas (from some of the Villas you could see the big ferry boats leaving Livorno’s port about 40 km south of Lucca!!) , fresh air, complete peace and quiet and a beautiful countryside. It is the real Tuscan experience and not the touristy one. And most importantly, although it seems like you are in the middle of nowhere, Lucca with its art, all its squares, churches, stores, shops, groceries and restaurants is only 10 to 15 minutes away, so you are still close by, while still enjoying the beauty of the countryside.… You usually could not walk to the usually but you will drive to Lucca in 10 minutes.

Another important thing I want you to know is that in these areas there is usually no air conditioning (only fans) because there is no need. The countryside is very ventilated and has an opposite temperature to the cities, in fact you may even be a little cold at night without a light jumper on.

Usually it is almost impossible to find heated pools .



Often there is no internet broadband signal… even though works are in progress and day by day the most of the areas in the countryside are going to be provided with wifi. But don t forget to ask it… if you forget to mention it in your questions you may be disappointed!!