Recommendations in Lucca/Viareggio area

[Peppin]

We are going to this area (first time) on holiday soon and I've been so busy at work that I am woefully under-prepared in terms of researching nice restaurants, things to do, etc.

If anyone knows this area, I'd love your recommendations. The DC are 10 and 8 and quite interested in Roman history. Obviously we will go to Pisa one day. Another day definitely Lucca. I would like to go to Florence for a day but not sure if it's too far?

It's about an hour and twenty mins train journey from Lucca to Florence and a pleasant journey. You can bike-ride around the walls of Lucca,which is a beautiful town,lovely squares with little coffee shops and restaurants., If you look on TripAdvisor,on the Bagni di Lucca forum,one of the posters,"Peggy Patch" has lots of advice on the area,and tips for people with children. You'll love that bit of Tuscany!

Lucca is lovely. We went pre DCs about 4 years ago. The walk/ride around the city walls is a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. I cannot remember the names of any restaurants - sorry - but do remember that there were lots and all the ones we ate at were very good. There are lots of little squares and you can proably walk around day 1 and get a good idea of where to go each evening.

There are a lot of puccini opera performances in the church, I think daily, and very cheap, but not sure if your DCs will be interested in that!

Florence definately doable by train. If I recall correctly the frescos on the ceiling of the cathedral are a little medieval which should amuse/shock your DCs.

Pisa is not worth a whole day - a couple of hours at most.We went in the evening and the tower was beautifully lit. Restaurants all a bit touristy though (of course there may be nice ones but we didn't find them)

There is a walk called 'cinque terras' (sp) which is not far from lucca by car or train (I think - we drove) and it is a lovely walk through 5 villages with nice restaurants along the way.

Beaches at Viareggio are fantastic, with miles and miles of coloured beach huts, but very very expensive to hire sunbeds for the day (I think it was about £50 for the two of us)

Am very jealous now - we're currently in Devon - first holiday where I have had to wear my wellies. Have a great time

Thanks both for these great tips. Ceeveebee, can you remember how long it took to do the Cinque Terre walk? It sounds lovely but if very long I'm not sure the DC would manage in hot weather.

Also, can you hire bikes to cycle round the walls in Lucca?

Agree with ceeveebee about Lucca, you could happily spend more than one day/evening there, and about Pisa - a couple of hours here is plenty for me and finding somewhere good to eat at a decent price is a challenge.

Florence is well worth the trip, the train station is so close to the centre of the city it is the best place to park even if you are driving in. But it can get a bit claustrophobic in the summer if you don't like crowds or queuing: the Boboli Gardens behind the Pitti Palace is a good place to get a bit of space, the view of the city from the top is outstanding. It may be a long day for the 8 year old though.

There's not much remaining from Roman times in Lucca, Pisa or Florence AFAIK, but if you have a car Fiesole just North of Florence is the place to go. Apart from the amphitheatre and baths there are great views of Florence there and on the surrounding roads, and it used to be much better value for eating out but I haven't been there for about 20 years or so!

Yes you can easily hire bikes in Lucca, agree that the ride around the walls is lovely

I think the walk took us all day with stops for lunch and lots of coffees! As far as I remember you can catch the train back to the start from any of the 5 villages so can just stop when you have had enough

We are going there too! Staying in Lido de Camiore, cant wait. I know the pay beaches are ££ but i've read that there are some lovely free beaches within the national park. Normally we go to lake garda so im hoping we love this as much.

Thanks all. This is great. I now have:

1. cycle round Lucca city walls
2. train to Florence for the day
3. do leaning tower of Pisa quickly
4. visit Fiesole
5. attempt Cinque Terre walk, being prepared to hop on train back to start early if DCs tired.

Rest of time can be spent relaxing by pool.

Sunnyoutlook, we're going to the same area as you. I had no idea it would be so expensive to get a sun lounger - last few hols have been in Spain where loungers were ?10/day which I thought was expensive! No way am I paying £50 so will need to identify these free beaches you've mentioned.

Funnily enough I looked at Lake Garda this year but wasn't sure about whether the weather would be hot enough. What's it like there?

Its my favourite place in the world! Very warm in summer yet snowy in the winter. You can use excellent local buses or the ferrys to dot around the various lake towns. Also easy train links to Verona from Peschiera. Nice afternoon out to take the cable car to the top of Monte Balde and have lunch at the Inn or a picnic with views to die for. Im overdoing it sorry! We couldnt get glasgow flights this year 'cos left it too late but defo going back next year. Oh and there are 3 theme parks, not as big or brash as Florida but great days out for dcs.