Facilities at Lavacchio

The swimming pool is 12m x 6m with Roman steps at one end. It is 1.5 m deep throughout and is purified with a saline solution rather than chlorine. There is a fresh-water shower for rinsing after use. The pool is surrounded by stone paving and has a range of wooden sunloungers and chairs. The small poolhouse is equipped with plastic tumblers and wine glasses. Pool towels are provided in the accommodation.

There is a variety of games: a full sized table tennis table, a badminton net and racquets and an area for boules. A hot spa pool is available in the loggia beside the Old Stable. There is a small child's swing and lots of room to kick a ball or fly a kite. Board games and cards are provided in the accommodation

There is a range of walking trails through the chestnut woods, should you want to explore Lavacchio or saunter further afield to discover local villages. We can arrange a mountain guide to take you gorge walking in the Orrido Di Botri or trekking in the Apuanes.

There is an abundance of wildlife around Lavacchio, from the eagles soaring above on the thermals to the lizards who scuttle around the dry stone walls. Deer can be glimpsed in the woods, badgers can be spotted stealing our potatoes and wild boar captured on camera at dusk.

Local Attractions

The hilltop town of Barga (8km) is well worth a visit as the summer brings a score of artists who exhibit their work in this "Citta d'Arte". Among the most well known is John Bellany, the Glaswegian artist who lives locally. A more bizzare experiance is to attend the fish and chips festival, held in June to celebrate the historic link with Scotland. For local information on what's on in Barga visit www.barganews.com. Tennis courts and riding are both available here as well.

The Grotta Del Vento (16km), a series of caves and vast galleries provide welcome respite from summer temperatures. There are three tours lasting from 1 - 3 hours. www.grottadelvento.com

For those in search of a winter break, Abetone and Mt. Cimone (60km) offer some fine skiing and snowboarding on a range of downhill pistes as well as good apres ski entertainment. Abetone has 50km of pistes,from black runs to good beginners' slopes and 22 lifts. Mountain restaurants offer good food and wine for remarkable value. www.abetoneapm.it There are also a number of smaller ski fields within 40 mins drive

The market town of Castelnuovo (8km) is the busy gateway to the Garfagnana national park. From here it is possible to hire mountain and road bikes in order to explore the dramatic scenery of this wild mountain area. The small golf course presents a challenge for any budding golfer in a spectacular setting.

The provincial capital, Lucca (38km) is a major draw, whether for cycling round the ancient walls, taking coffee in the wide piazzas or searching for an elegant gift in Via Fillungo. The Roman amphitheatre is delightful, there seems to be an elaborate church on every corner and there are a number of galleries and museums to visit. The summer festival brings well known bands (Van Morrison, Jamiroqai and Crosby, Stills and Nash to name but a few) in July. www.luccaturismo.it The Puccini festival in August at nearby Torre Del Largo offers something a little more refined. ticketoffice@puccinifestival.it The hills around Lucca produce excellent wine and olive oil: Montecarlo is a good place to start where a number of wineries offer tours and tastings.

Further Afield

The Field of Miracles in Pisa (80km) is well worth a visit, not just for the tower but for the duomo and the baptistry as well.	Florence (100km) is easily accessed in a day and we can help you avoid the queues by booking you into the well known galleries such as The Uffizi. By train from Lucca is a stress-free excursion.	The extraordinary thirteen towers of San Gimignano (130km) dominate the timeless Tuscan countryside around it.