Tag Archives: Lucca

Stairway to Heaven

stairway-to-heaven-sm Sometimes you snap a photo and a caption just pops into your head. Well, it does for some people. I’m lucky if I remember to bring a camera – not mind actually managing to take photos with it. But thankfully, the WanderDad is camera-happy and a witty soul to boot. The photo above is of the church of San Michele in Lucca, Italy. Lucca is a delight to visit, not least because the piazza around this church is a perfect Italian piazza replete with cafes to lounge outside while watching children delightedly chase pigeons over the cobblestones – for hours. A recipe for a perfect (family) vacation afternoon.

Wander on over to DeliciousBaby for more Photo Friday fun.

Related Posts:
A Family Reunion in Tuscany
6 Tips for Planning a Destination Family Reunion

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Fattoria Maionchi

family reunion in tuscany

Last summer, on the WanderDad’s birthday, as he was lamenting the fact that this was his last thirtysomething birthday, my wheels started spinning with plans for a 40th birthday party celebration. It would have to be something special. With most of our families in Europe it made sense to combine “the event” with a vacation.

I went into planning overdrive. How do you arrange a get-together for 30+ people anyway ? Firstly, I emailed all the siblings to find out if they’d be interested in vacationing with us – even if they only joined in for a weekend. The response was a resounding “yes”. Excellent. License for me to continue doing what I enjoy to do best: namely planning a trip.

Borrowing from a habit I’ve developed in my real job (never present a question without also offering a solution), I had floated the idea of Italy in June and no-one had complained or offered any alternate suggestions. Super. Then the fun began. Finding accommodation for 21 adults and 12 children in a place which everyone will enjoy, with enough space to not get on each other’s nerves and plenty of kid-friendly activities is non-trivial. Keeping costs in mind added another layer of complexity.

A guidebook (or two) was needed to direct my research. I picked Frommer’s Florence, Tuscany & Umbria and Lonely Planet Tuscany & Umbria” at my local used book store. I chose Lucca as good possible location, being easily accessible from Pisa airport and with rail and bus connections to Pisa, Florence and the beach. An entry in the “Best Of” section in the Frommer’s guide caught my eye: a working farm with multiple remodeled farm buildings in the hills above Lucca. With a restaurant on site specializing in local cuisine.

Fattoria Maionchi
Fattoria Maionchi

The owners of this farm have remodeled three out-buildings into apartments each sleeping 2-4 people. The owners live in two apartments with their families. The remaining 12 apartments are available for weekly rental. The facilities are rustic but charming. The apartment in which the WanderDad and I stayed with CAM and BigB was part of the old mill. There was a stream running through the kitchen (under glass tile). That was a huge hit with the kids – we were deemed to have the coolest apartment. An walled garden with a pool and outdoor dining area was perfect for shared dinners every evening – with plenty of space for kids to play. The restaurant provided the perfect location for the actual birthday party.

Cousins
A collection of cousins – the proof that I am not making this up :)

I’ve been nominated to arrange the next get-together in 2010. If you have any suggestions or ideas, do let me know.

Details:
Website: http://www.fattoriamaionchi.it
Information on other agriturismo: http://www.italy-farmholiday.com/, http://www.agriturismo.net/
Weekly rentals start on Saturdays.
Rates: $800 – $1200/week – depending on the size of the apartment.
Dinner menus (set price): $25 – $50. Up to 5 courses including wine.

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Lucca Flea Market June 2008

look what big eyes I’ve got…

I’m really enjoying hunting through my photos looking for wierd and whacky ones to include in Debbie’s Photo Friday on DeliciousBaby.

Lucca Flea Market June 2008
CAM, with the treasures he found at the Lucca flea market.

Here’s what happens when you let your kids loose in a flea market in a city in a another country: they buy stuff. Not souvenirs, not momentos, just stuff.

The magnifying glasses made it home to Seattle safely. You’ll be glad to know.

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