An Apartment in Lucca
Judy at the front door to the apartment on Via Pelleria in Lucca.
I wrote this post while sitting at "my" kitchen table in Lucca. I love having an apartment here, it's key to living like a local and having an experience that goes beyond tourist and crosses into part-time resident. Don't get me wrong, I will happily stay in a hotel for a shorter visit and I have a favorite hotel here where I feel wonderfully at home and spoiled (look for a hotel review in a future post). But for a longer stay I prefer an apartment with three main considerations in mind: location, price and amenities (including a really functional kitchen, comfortable bed, washing machine, and some outdoor space).
I find that renting through an agency rather than from an individual owner suits me best - it provides an on-the-ground contact person in case of problems, also agencies represent multiple properties and so can help me find just the right one, plus I like to build an on-going relationship with agents since I spend a fair amount of time here and am a frequent renter. I've worked well with two agencies in Lucca: Apartments Lucca (I have an apartment already booked through them for spring) and Lucca Holiday Homes, where Judy and I stayed in December/January.
Entry to apartment on Via Pelleria, just inside the front door, with a pretty private garden beyond the gates.
Here are some more glimpses of my most recent apartment (December 2016/January 2017). It's pretty special and, since I was sharing space and costs with Judy, bigger and more elegant than those I rent when I'm here on my own. It's in a beautiful old building, originally a large private home, now made up of several apartments. Ours was on the second floor, up about 36 steps. The apartment had a beautiful bright great room with a galley kitchen, generous dining area, cozy sitting area, and French doors to a small terrace.
Can you feel the sun streaming in through the windows, even in cold January?
The galley kitchen is well-equipped and the cabinets stocked with cookware and dishes.
One of several options for brewing coffee in the apartment. There were also two Mokas and an American-style electric drip coffeemaker.
An assortment of cups found in the kitchen - caffe americano, cappuccino, or espresso.
Sitting area with two comfortable sofas.
Master bedroom with one queen and one twin bed.
Second bedroom with twin beds.
One of two bathrooms, both with large showers
This apartment was located inside the walls of Lucca, in the northwest part of the old city, a short walk from Piazza San Michele, Piazza San Salvatore, and the many shops on Via San Paolino. The area was quiet and felt more residential than touristy. A perfect home-away-from-home in Lucca. Now, if only I could stay a little longer! -post by JB
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Contact Information:
Apartmentslucca.com Alba Pracchia
luccaholidayhomes.it Debora Del Sonno