Villa Costa Residence

Practical Tips

    In Marlia there are: a bakery (open till noon), a pharmacy, a Catholic church (Sunday mass at 9 and 11 a.m.). a post office, a bank and ATMs, a gas station and a huge supermarket Esselunga - 2 km away (see the map or click on google map)
    Next to Villa Costa there is a bus stop for buses headed to the center of Lucca and the railway station. The buses run a few times daily.
    Highways – entering the highway you have to take a ticket at the tollgate. Leaving the highway it’s advisable to head for “hand & coins” gate – we pay the toll clerk upon production of the ticket, or “credit card” gate, where we pay with the card using the machine. “Coins only” gate is a bit risky as it’s fully automated. Do NOT enter the “telepass” gate!
    Italian Day – Italians work till noon and then take a break – siesta – till about 4 p.m. Siesta means closed shops, pharmacies, churches, sometimes even bars. They reopen in the afternoon. Sunday is a holiday and almost all businesses shut down: shops, supermarkets, gas stations – though some have automated self-service. Restaurants usually have one day off a week. You need to check which day a restaurant is closed as each one has its own schedule.
    Local Fair in Lucca – every Wednesday and Saturday there is a huge fair on the streets along the town wall between Porta San Jacopo and Porta Elisa. Additionally, every third Saturday and Sunday there is an antique fair near the Cathedral.
    Luminara di Santa Croce is the biggest religious festival in Lucca. A huge procession goes from the church of San Frediano to the Cathedral along the town streets magically lit only with olive lamps and candles. Luminara takes place every September 13 and starts in the evening.
    Lucca Comics & Games – an international comics and Internet games festival takes place every October.
    Lucca Summer Festival - Every year, Lucca welcomes an incredible line-up of international stars during its annual Summer Festival. For three weeks a huge stage in Piazza Napoleone sees performances that appeal to a vast array of music tastes.
    Italian Railway Schedule with up to date prices can be found at www.trenitalia.it.
    Weather in Tuscany can be checked at www.accuweather.com or www.tempoitalia.it.
    Car Rental – we recommend www.europcar.com or www.autoeurop.com.