We encouraged to stay here because we would experience the "real" Italy, not the typical tourists' destinations. You can take the train from Diecimo to nearby Lucca, Pisa, Florence, or the hotel management, with notice, can arrange to drive you to your destinations. Make sure to vist the town of Barga, find a vinyard, ask for a recommendation to a nearby restaurant and tour the Serchio River valley. Before you arrive, take some time to learn the history of this area and it will mean much more to you. Franco and Ida are truly wonderful people and will do everything to make you feel like family. This would be a great place to stay with other friends, but they only have 6 rooms, so book well ahead of time. We also visited Venice, Rome, Florence, Positano, Capri, but on our next trip to Italy we want to see MIlan, Como and Chinquatera AND stay at this villa again.

This is a very lovely inn. The rooms are spotless. Each room includes individual heating/cooling units, a nicely stocked mini bar, a safe, a television (International CNN was available in English), a hair dryer, a towel warming rack and very nice toiletries. Breakfast is a wonder; lots of fresh fruit, yogurt, cheeses, bread, ham, salami and homemade hot breakfast specialties. It's served in what was once the 'cellar' of this lovely building; all of the walls are stone - it is cool and inviting.

The owners have a computer available for the use of their guests, which comes in very handy when checking train schedules. The train station is a 3 minute walk from the front door of the inn. The small town of Diecimo is quaint and lovely. There is a beautiful cathedral, several small, 'little' churches, a wonderful flower shop (where train tickets can be purchased), an adorable grocery and wine shop (run by the innkeepers), two casual restaurants, a bakery cafe and a small department store. There is also a car rental location.

We enjoyed our 4 night stay there very much. Pisa is a 45 minute train ride, Lucca (not to be missed) is about a 15 minute train ride from Diecimo. Because a train change is required, it takes at least 1 Hr 45 Min to get to Florence, which is slightly limiting because there are no late trains; making it difficult to have dinner in Florence and get back to Diecimo before the trains stop running. One can arrange with the innkeepers for a ride to and from one or two regional restaurants that are not within walking distance.

We would certainly stay here again, probably renting a car this time to have more mobility. Enjoy!

Our stay in this newly transformed hotel in beautiful surroundings was
excellent. Upon arrival we were greeted by the staff who were extremly
friendly and very keen to make our stay an enjoyable one. The rooms
were of a good size, clean and very comfortable. The breakfast was more
than adequate, and included a range of fresh pastries from the local
bakery. This is an ideal place to stay if you want to visit nearby towns
such as Lucca, or for a relaxing retreat. However, if you do intend to
travel you will need a car. I would definitely stay here again.