DAYS OUT FOR FAMILIES:
LUCCA - Hire bikes/tandems/tagalong/buggies, cycle round the city walls dotted with parks and picnic spots. PISA - More than the tower (entrance to tower 8yrs+, open all year) Take a horse drawn carriage round the Medieval quarters & learn about the influence of the Medici Family CINQUE TERRA - UNESCO World Heritage Site-Drive to Riomaggiore & take the train to Monterroso al Mare where the kids can paddle & play in the sand while you enjoy a glass of Prosecco! COLLODI - Pinoccio park & birth place of the Author of Pinoccio. FLORENCE - climb the Duomo for fantastic views in addition to the well known galleries & tourist sites MONTECATINI ALTO- Above Montecatini Terme (fantastic for shopping armed with a good credit card!) beautiful old town with a sheltered central restaurant lined square. Lovely Nativity schene in the Church over the Festive period. A funicular railway links Terme to Alto or drive. BARGA-20mins away, Medieval traffic free town with 13thC churches. GROTTO DEL VENTE
BAGNI DI LUCCA SPA INFORMATION:
All just 3km from La Salvia, down the breath-takingly picturesque wooded, winding mountain road and at the foot of the hill, the thermal complex is based upon 19 springs of water containing salts of sulphur & calcium reaching natural temperatures of up to 67f (54c).
GLOBAL VILLAGE - holistic medicine and well being centre at the Villa Demidoff. Their current web site only in Italian but I am advised that foreign guests are welcome.
BAGNI DI LUCCA TERME/JEAN VARRAUD - again at the foot of the hill this Spa offers all the usually beauty treatments plus plunge pools, a swimming pool filled with naturally warm spring water & grotto filled with natural steam emitted from the walls of the cave! Be sure to book a massage or facial to follow your trip to the grotto - approx 35 Euros for steam and massage.
BAGNI BERNABO - Recently renovated the waters here are said to be particularly good for skin conditions.
MORE THINGS TO DO AND SEE:
BAGNI DI LUCCA CASINO - After 50 years of waiting and after extensive renovation the Casino, where Roulette was famously invented, has been granted a licence to operate again and re-opens in August 2009. Just 6 minutes drive from La Salvia the Casino is linked to the carpark of the lovely Villa Fiori by a brand new footbridge over the river Lima.
ORRIDO DI BOTTRI - National park on the doorstep where Golden Eagles nest and soar above the pool of La Salvia.
CASTELNUOVO GAFAGNANA - Medeival traffic free town
BARGA & it's JAZZ FESTIVAL
ABETONE ski resort with 21 ski lifts, often used by the British ski teams for training.
VERSILIA- luxurious beach resort with beds & umbrellas or pegolas to hire via the restaurants and clubs that line the shore. Beautiful views of the mountains from the sea.
MARKET DAYS - Sat and Weds in Bagni di Lucca, Friday and Tuesday in Fornoli, both just 4km from la Salvia.
Other Activities:
Canoeing, Badminton,bird watching, public spas, restaurants, Casino, historical sites
