We stayed in the Pescia valley ( north of Lucca ) near Vellano and thought it was stunning...all new buildings have been banned. Not the case in the next valley to the east. You could do a circuit up to Bagne di Lucca in the north west and then drive back down along the Pescia valley back to Lucca, comfortably within a day. Vellano has quite a thriving little Brit and German community.

I can recommend the San Drino restaurant in the valley from lunch, amongst other things they serve wild boar and Porcini mushrooms. I have an e-mail address if you want to book in advance. You may need to. If you visit say hello from Andraes of Manchester.

Andrew Mercer