We have just returned from a great stay at Casa San Rocco. This is a set of four apartments situated in the annexe of the owners' own house. The apartments were all decorated and refurbished with modern facilities two years ago by the owners. Our apartment was impressive from the start, with original slate floors and wooden beam ceilings. Nice, fresh decor, original combinations of soft tones and Tuscan colours, very warm. The living room was an excellent size, with a table for 6, sofa, an american style kitchen with everything you needed to prepare a meal. On arrival, the owner had bottles of water, milk, tea, coffee and biscuits ready for us, as the second day was a Sunday and the shops were closed- this was a nice touch. The apartment also had a nice bedroom, with a confortable bed and nice, fresh linens- all very quiet also. The bathroom was clean and had a good shower. During the day, the family pool was accessible to the guests- towels and loungers included. When we were there, we had the pool mostly to ourselves. There is also a washing machine and a computer for the guests' use, as well as wireless internet in rooms (very handy to check emails, plan routes etc.) The owners are both very friendly and ready to help with suggestions for trips, restaurants etc. Parking is on the quiet street the house is located on, places are always available. We did damage our car when reversing at night, but that was mainly because we couldn't see a low wall at the side of the street. The house is just off the road out from Lucca, at approximately 3-4 kilometers from the town, so you will need a car, but it is a very nice location if you want a decently priced flat, with loads of space, quiet and also with a pool! There are one or two good restaurants within 1 mile or less, and a pasteleria for cakes and icecream at the street corner. We would recommend booking directly with the owners (just 'google' the house name for their website), you get a better price and also they answer emails promptly. A relaxing stay, would recommend it!

In October, my daughter and I spent a relaxing week at the Casa San Rocco, a small hotel/residence in the countryside outside Lucca on the road to Pisa.

Our clean and comfortable one-bedroom apartment was in the older part of the establishment, a carefully renovated 17th century barn, with a floor of huge paving stones and big double doors opening onto a quiet yard. The bathroom was large and modern, and the "kitchen in a cupboard" was perfectly adequate for simple meals.

There is also a bachelor apartment which stands alone in the garden - very bright and attractive. Then, of course, there is the swimming pool and a cafe/pastry shop just a few steps away.

Most people come by car, but we relied on public transport, a bus approximately every hour, though the timetable may vary according to the season . It takes about ten minutes to get to Lucca, thirty minutes to Pisa. You can get information from the www.vaibus.com website or try info@vaibus.it. (Warning: there are two bus routes between Lucca and Pisa. Casa San Rocco is on the one that takes S. Maria del Giudice).

Once again, our thanks to our warm and welcoming hosts for their help and hospitality.