Head on down to Getting Around (by clicking on the link) if that is your priority.
A) Getting Here
Driving
Informarsi sulla prenotazione per soggiornare presso Casale di Clio is on Google Maps, and you can use this to get directions to us. If your SatNav does not show Informarsi sulla prenotazione per soggiornare presso Casale di Clio, then set it for Vetteglia.
By Public Transport
Our nearest Train Station is Bagni di Lucca (Fornoli), which has frequent trains to/from Lucca and a direct train service to/from PISA Central Train Station – this makes getting to us from Pisa Airport very easy: follow the signs at the airport for the Pisamover shuttle train and buy a ticket as you enter the platform (or buy one in advance online) for the frequent 5 minute trip to Pisa Central Train station, where you then buy a ticket for one of the 7 daily direct trains to Bagni di Lucca (the fastest service is a little under an hour; 4 direct trains on a Sunday) – otherwise the trains from Pisa Central Station involve a change at Lucca. Lucca has good rail connections to Florence and other destinations. Collections/drop-offs from Bagni di Lucca train station can be arranged.
There are also direct buses from Lucca to Bagni di Lucca (E10 bus from Lucca to Bagni di Lucca, timetable available here, which will go to ‘Villa’, the main part of Bagni di Lucca.
Bus E46 runs from ‘Villa’, the main part of Bagni di Lucca, to San Cassiano and Montefegatesi, stopping at the Vetteglia junction (there is then a 5 minute gentle downhill walk to Vetteglia & Informarsi sulla prenotazione per soggiornare presso Casale di Clio).
Nearest Airports
Pisa Airport and Florence Airport are our nearest public airports – both of which have many flights a week from various UK and European destinations (on carriers such as Easyjet, Ryanair, and European national carriers). International flights from other countries might arrive at other airports, such as Rome. Wherever you land – whether in Italy or elsewhere in Europe – you will find the train network a viable and relatively inexpensive option for onward travel, especially if booked in advance (see below) – and the train network extends to Bagni di Lucca.
From Pisa Airport there is a 5 minute shuttle ride to Pisa Central Train Station, from where you can catch a direct train to Bagni di Lucca that can take as little as an hour – see above.
The options from Florence Airport to Florence’s centre include tram and bus, as detailed on the airport’s website. From Florence’s main train station, Santa Maria Novella it is a 90 minute or so train journey to Lucca, for connecting trains service to Bagni di Lucca – buy a through ticket from Florence to Bagni di Lucca.
Each airport has car-hire services for those wanting to and with in-car or smartphone Satnav you should be able to drive to Vetteglia in around 80 minutes from Pisa Airport and 90 mins from Florence Airport – longer from airports further afield.
Airport Taxi/Private Transfer is always a possibility, but will obviously cost quite a bit more than public transport. A local blogger has reported that one local chap has set up a suitable service – here is his website – otherwise, unless you engage a taxi at the airport, it will be a case of doing your own research online, perhaps asking on local English-language Facebook Group Bagni di Lucca Community.
Contact us if you would like to discuss other possible options for airport collections/transfers.
Train from Further Afield
Europe is blessed with a comprehensive, reliable and relatively inexpensive rail network. If you can afford it (sadly it is much more expensive than flying), traveling by train (and Channel ferry or tunnel) is a wonderful way to get to Italy from the UK; nobody makes this easier to arrange than The Man in Seat 61, who provides details of UK-Lucca train travel – as well as other European connections. Alternatively ItaliaRail, The Trainline, and other websites provide details of train services, including the opportunity to purchase tickets in advance – Rail Europe caters in particular to travelers from North America.
Other Sources of Information
A web-search will throw up more information web-pages on how to get to Lucca (or maybe even Bagni di Lucca), such as this one or this one (with more information an alternative airports and international flights) – though always check that information is up to date by then checking with the suggested carrier.
B) Getting Around Once Here
Walking
There are a wealth of walking opportunities right on the doorstep for those who would like anything from a gentle stroll to nearby stores and the local bar/trattoria at San Cassiano to more serious mountain hikes. We have information about several walks in our guest folder at Informarsi sulla prenotazione per soggiornare presso Casale di Clio, but here are some suggestions to get you going in the meantime:
- Cammino di San Bartolomeo (passes by the door to Informarsi sulla prenotazione per soggiornare presso Casale di Clio!): see the official website
- Short circular woodland walk (ask us for details once here)
- Circular walk to San Cassiano; through woods, along mule tracks, past hamlets, with optional excursion part-way up a mountain and back(!) and optional stop at a bar/trattoria – ask about this when you are here!
- Walk to Montefegatesi (with bus there or back – see below)
- Walk to Bagni di Lucca (with bus there or back – see below)
- Walk up/around Monte Prato Fiorito (possibly with bus part-way, up or down the road to Montefegatesi)
Cycling
We are aware of a couple alternative options when it comes to hiring an e-bike for guided tours, but are not sure if they can be hired without a guide/tour included:
- Val di Lima Off Road e-Bike hire;
- E-Bike Hire & Tours: http://www.ebikeadventuretour.it/en/
Bus
The Bagni di Lucca Tourist Information website provides links to local bus services, the most useful service being the E46 which runs between Bagni di Lucca, San Cassiano and Montefegatesi, stopping at the Vetteglia junction (a 5-10 minute walk from Informarsi sulla prenotazione per soggiornare presso Casale di Clio). By getting the bus to Bagni di Lucca, and then another service, it is possible to visit many local villages – though beware there are not many daily trips on each line, and so you should study the timetables with some care (if you plan on visiting local villages you may want to consider hiring your own transport – car hire is available in Bagni di Lucca – with or without a driver).
The E46 is particularly useful since allows one-way walks to San Cassiano, Montefegatesi and Bagni di Lucca, using the bus for the other direction – either uphill or downhill depending on your preference/fitness levels!
Train to Lucca
The Trainline has information about the train service from Bagni di Lucca to Lucca.
Car Hire
A Bella Bagni di Lucca post from a few years back points to car-hire in Bagni di Lucca – it would be worth following up if that is of interest – it would give the option of hiring for part of your stay rather then for all of it, as would be the case renting at the airport (unless you were happy to make an extra trip to the airport to collect/return the car during your stay) – we will look into other possibilities.
Local Taxi Services
See Airport Taxi/Private Transfer, above.
Contact us if you would like to discuss other possible options for getting around.