Family trip · Lucca, Tuscany
Our Lucca Trip
7 – 14 August 2026
A week based in the Tuscan countryside outside Lucca — slow mornings, market trips, city walls at sunset, and day trips out to Pisa and Florence.
Plan the trip
Getting There ✈️
Land at Pisa Airport (PSA), pick up the rental car, and drive straight to Meati, near Lucca (LU).
Explore
The Property 🏠
Everything about Villa Bianca — parking, WiFi, house systems, and what's nearby.
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Lucca 🏛️
City walls, Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, Torre Guinigi, and where to eat at every price point.
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Pisa 🗼
A half-day out to the Leaning Tower — plus the parts of Pisa most people skip.
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Florence 🌇
A full day trip: park outside the ZTL, then the Duomo, Uffizi, and a proper Tuscan lunch.
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Checklist ✅
Documents, car rental, packing, and everything worth booking before you fly.
ExploreBefore You Go
Travel tips
Everything worth knowing before the trip — money, weather, driving, and the practical essentials.
Money & Payments
Currency
Italy uses the Euro (€). Bancomat (ATMs) are everywhere in and around Lucca — withdraw in Euros and always decline the ATM's own conversion rate.
Cards vs cash
Cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere, including small trattorie and toll booths. Keep €20–30 in cash for markets, gelato stands, and the odd cash-only counter service spot.
Tipping culture
Tipping isn't expected in Italy the way it is elsewhere. Rounding up or leaving small change is generous; a service fee (servizio) is sometimes already included — check the bill.
Budget estimate
With a villa base and home-cooked breakfasts, most costs are day-trip meals, fuel, tolls, and attraction tickets. Museum/tower entries run €10–25pp; a sit-down family dinner €60–100 total.
Weather & Packing
August weather
Peak summer heat — expect high 20s to mid 30s°C most days, with humid afternoons. Evenings cool off a little but stay warm. Rain is rare; the bigger risk is heat, so plan indoor sights or the pool for the hottest hours (1–4pm).
What to pack
Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes are non-negotiable — Lucca, Pisa, and Florence are all cobblestones. Light layers for the day, something warmer for villa evenings.
Sun protection
August sun is intense. Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for the piazzas — there's little shade in Piazza dei Miracoli or Piazza del Duomo at midday, and the cobblestones radiate heat.
Day bag essentials
A small daypack with water, sunscreen, snacks, a portable charger, and a compact rain layer covers most day-trip surprises.
Driving & Getting Around
Rental car pickup
Rental desks are in the Pisa Airport (PSA) arrivals hall. Bring the lead driver's licence, credit card, and booking confirmation — budget 20–30 minutes for paperwork.
ZTL zones
Lucca, Pisa, and Florence all have camera-enforced ZTL (limited traffic) zones in their historic centres. Don't drive into any old town without checking access first — fines arrive by post, weeks later.
Tolls & fuel
The A11 has toll booths — keep a card or a few coins handy (most lanes marked with a card symbol take contactless). Fuel stations are self-service (fai da te) or attended (servito, pricier) — diesel is gasolio, petrol is benzina.
Parking signs
Blue lines = paid parking (pay at the nearby machine or via an app like EasyPark). White lines = free. Yellow = reserved/restricted — don't park there.
Practical Tips
Book in advance
The Leaning Tower, Florence Duomo dome climb, and Uffizi Gallery all use timed, pre-booked entry — walk-up queues run hours in season. Reserve as soon as dates are firm.
Dining culture
Lunch runs 12:30–2:30pm, dinner rarely starts before 7:30pm — many kitchens close between. A cover charge (coperto, €1–3pp) is standard and not optional. "Menu del giorno" (set lunch) is good value.
Power & connectivity
Italy uses Type L (and compatible Type C) plugs, 230V. Bring a universal adapter. An eSIM or local SIM is worth it for maps and translation on the go — coverage is solid across Tuscany.
Pharmacies & safety
Tuscany is very safe for families. Pharmacies (farmacia, green cross sign) can advise on minor ailments without a doctor visit. Tap water is safe to drink throughout the region.