I have been following proceedings for some time so thought I should get around to writing something myself. Bear with me as a first timer! We have just bought a little place between Bagni di Lucca and Barga (Vitiana) and are very excited to be ma
Flip. I know this sounds stupid but I'm really not well up on dongles! What would I need to do to use one in Italy? Could I buy one here in the UK and use it in Italy? If you could give me more info would be grateful - approximate cost etc, buing a SIM in Italy etc. I currently use Orange over here in UK but thinking of changing to Vodafone, pay-as-go. I don't use my mobile enough to warrant a contract! Would only need to access internet whilst staying in Italy for a few weeks at a time at most, so don't need to be tied into anything long term. Thanks Jan
Glad to hear that Siena isn't as far as I thought it would be! As parking is a bit of a headache, maybe going by train would be a better option. Would we be able to get there from Fornoli Gala? Having said that, we haven't yet mastered the train / ticket situation yet!! But I'm sure I can get my head around that.
We haven't ventured over to Siena yet. How long do you think it would take from Lucca? Would it be a day trip? Any recommendations for must sees there? Jan
That is good news. We won't be back in Bagni until the spring so all I need to do now is decide on what device to buy to bring with me. I think I'll ask Father Christmas for a netbook - I hope he reads this!! Jan
Lucca is well worth a visit and is not far from Pisa airport at all. If you don't want to drive, jump on the bus right outside the airport. Buy your tickets first at the booth on the far right hand side of the airport as you come out of arrivals and they will point you in the right direction. It's only about 3 euros per person for the trip and is a lovely drive which takes about 50 minutes or so. Once you're in Lucca there are many places to stay and I'm sure others might have recommendations. Although a little pricey, Alla Corte degli Angeli is wonderful. Very central yet in a quiet street, the rooms are beautiful and the breakfast is good. Also for a cheaper stay but also very pleasant you could try Centro Storico Guesthouse, a laid back B&B, we had a family room for 4 of us, cheap and cheerful, right in the middle of everything. Finally another B&B we have used is Al Tuscany, again very central, run by a Scottish lady and her Italian husband. Really good breakfast. The surrounding area is wonderful, close to the coast and the mountains - I'm sure you won't be disappointed. Lucca itself seems to be gaining in popularity and can be very busy during holiday times but spring in Lucca - perfect, maybe I'll see you there. I think I might just have a look at flights now....... Jan
Thanks Alan. I've just googled Jaquelines and I'm sure we will make use of her invitation to sit in Bar Italia and surf for free!! We've spent plenty of time sitting in Bar Italia already so no problem there!
I am absolutely hopeless at understanding about things like this!! I would like to take a netbook with me to Italy when I visit, say every couple of months or so. I want to be able to access emails and do a bit of 'surfing' generally on the internet. There is no telephone line in our house, what would be the best and cheapest way of getting internet? (in idiot proof language!) No idea what a dongle does, where or what to buy etc Italy or UK????? Thanks Jan
Wow what a project!! From your photos it looks as though you'll certainly have some work to do but I'm sure it will be fantastic when it's done. Good luck. The dream starts here.......
Thanks everyone. I'm beginning to think the drive this end is probably the better option although looking at flight times they are not great for us as we live in West Wales so a 4.5 - 5 hour journey to London. Easyjet do Gatwick to Pisa, reasonable price. Now looking at staying the night before to catch morning flight - I'm sure it will be worth it!
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Flip. I know this sounds stupid but I'm really not well up on dongles! What would I need to do to use one in Italy? Could I buy one here in the UK and use it in Italy? If you could give me more info would be grateful - approximate cost etc, buing a SIM in Italy etc. I currently use Orange over here in UK but thinking of changing to Vodafone, pay-as-go. I don't use my mobile enough to warrant a contract! Would only need to access internet whilst staying in Italy for a few weeks at a time at most, so don't need to be tied into anything long term. Thanks Jan
Happy Christmas to All. Celebrating in a very snowy Wales but thinking of Italy. Jan
Glad to hear that Siena isn't as far as I thought it would be! As parking is a bit of a headache, maybe going by train would be a better option. Would we be able to get there from Fornoli Gala? Having said that, we haven't yet mastered the train / ticket situation yet!! But I'm sure I can get my head around that.
We haven't ventured over to Siena yet. How long do you think it would take from Lucca? Would it be a day trip? Any recommendations for must sees there? Jan
That is good news. We won't be back in Bagni until the spring so all I need to do now is decide on what device to buy to bring with me. I think I'll ask Father Christmas for a netbook - I hope he reads this!! Jan
Lucca is well worth a visit and is not far from Pisa airport at all. If you don't want to drive, jump on the bus right outside the airport. Buy your tickets first at the booth on the far right hand side of the airport as you come out of arrivals and they will point you in the right direction. It's only about 3 euros per person for the trip and is a lovely drive which takes about 50 minutes or so. Once you're in Lucca there are many places to stay and I'm sure others might have recommendations. Although a little pricey, Alla Corte degli Angeli is wonderful. Very central yet in a quiet street, the rooms are beautiful and the breakfast is good. Also for a cheaper stay but also very pleasant you could try Centro Storico Guesthouse, a laid back B&B, we had a family room for 4 of us, cheap and cheerful, right in the middle of everything. Finally another B&B we have used is Al Tuscany, again very central, run by a Scottish lady and her Italian husband. Really good breakfast. The surrounding area is wonderful, close to the coast and the mountains - I'm sure you won't be disappointed. Lucca itself seems to be gaining in popularity and can be very busy during holiday times but spring in Lucca - perfect, maybe I'll see you there. I think I might just have a look at flights now....... Jan
Thanks Alan. I've just googled Jaquelines and I'm sure we will make use of her invitation to sit in Bar Italia and surf for free!! We've spent plenty of time sitting in Bar Italia already so no problem there!
I am absolutely hopeless at understanding about things like this!! I would like to take a netbook with me to Italy when I visit, say every couple of months or so. I want to be able to access emails and do a bit of 'surfing' generally on the internet. There is no telephone line in our house, what would be the best and cheapest way of getting internet? (in idiot proof language!) No idea what a dongle does, where or what to buy etc Italy or UK????? Thanks Jan
Wow what a project!! From your photos it looks as though you'll certainly have some work to do but I'm sure it will be fantastic when it's done. Good luck. The dream starts here.......
Thanks everyone. I'm beginning to think the drive this end is probably the better option although looking at flight times they are not great for us as we live in West Wales so a 4.5 - 5 hour journey to London. Easyjet do Gatwick to Pisa, reasonable price. Now looking at staying the night before to catch morning flight - I'm sure it will be worth it!