Family holiday to Tuscany - San Gimignano Message Board

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beckles05

Australia

posts: 34

“ Family holiday to Tuscany ”

26 July 2010, 11:38

Hi All

Hoping for some direction is my head is spinning. Following our three weeks in the UK, my husband and I plus two kids will be flying into Pisa. From here the world is our oyster. What we are after (and I really don't care where we go) but am after the following:-

We won't have a car so are wanting to be something one hour in any direction from Pisa. Which places would be best for this? I am thinking Lucca seems close.

Would like to be in a rural area but within walking distance to a local shop, restaurant - we won't have a car. Preferably would like to be close to a small town that has a bus service should we decide to venture further away.

Basically I think we will spend most of our time where we are staying and would like a pool and lovely scenery, being able to do little walks outside.

I know that this is all a long shot but I really don't know where to stay. Our aim isn't to do all that much sightseeing - we have spent a lot of time in Italy before but to get a feel for spending 3 weeks in the same place.

Any ideas???

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NH13

Plymouth...

posts: 539

reviews: 3

1. Re: Family holiday to Tuscany

26 July 2010, 16:30

Beckles05

Two thoughts:

1) Perfect place that meets your criteria - except it's more than 1 hr from Pisa. It is very close to Siena - 12 km south - but once you get there (best by bus) it has all you need. Beautiful farm estate, easy walk into town (Monteroni D'Arbia) for shopping, small bars, gelateria, a couple of good restaurants - a pool, several hectors for hiking, even a castle. There is a small cottage that might be perfect for a family - otherwise there are 4 suites in the main renovated farmhouse. We have stayed several times - very gracious hosts:

www.sanfabiano.com - or see reviews here on TA

2) For a place closer to Pisa try contacting Stefania at Toscanasempre.

http://www.toscanasempre.com/struttura_en.asp

Stefania has found us lodging 4 times - 3 times in the Volterra/San Gimignano area. Best to go to the above website to see some options but then to contact her directly via email or skype. If you give her your criteria she can give you some wonderful choices at very reasonable prices. She also speaks excellent english.

Good Luck! Enjoy your trip!

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beckles05

Australia

posts: 34

2. Re: Family holiday to Tuscany

27 July 2010, 6:22

Thank you so much for taking the time out to reply. I will have a look this evening when the children are asleep.

Regards

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cs68

Tuscany Italy

posts: 462

reviews: 3

3. Re: Family holiday to Tuscany

27 July 2010, 11:29

Consider Bagni di Lucca, I think it meets many of your criteria. Train time from Pisa Centrale is between 50mins and and hour and a quarter depending on time of day and whether you need to change train at Lucca or get a through train. It's a small spa town on the river Lima surrounded by beautiful hill and mountain scenery, some lovely walks. There is a good range of small shops and about a dozen restaurants in the La Villa, Ponte a Serraglio and Fornoli areas so if you choose somewhere to stay in the valley you could walk to these. There is a local bus service with buses south to Lucca and north into the Garfagnana and also to a number of local hill villages which make a nice walking option, you can get the bus up but walk down!

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