2 Best places to stay in Pisa

Set in lovely terraced Mediterranean gardens on a hillside, overlooking the coastal plain to the sea, this old farmhouse has been transformed into a stylish, laid-back retreat.

The owner – once in the fashion business –has an eye for interior design and a mania for collecting; he has filled his house and gardens with a wonderfully eclectic mix of antiques and vintage pieces, paintings and sculptures. The emphasis is on peace and quiet, so this isn’t really place for families although children are welcome. Local chef Gianluca whips up three-course dinners for guests served by candlelight and bakes fresh croissants and bread for breakfast.

This is a great location for visiting both Lucca and Pisa, plus the majestic, marble-rich Apuanian Alps. The chic beach resort of Forte dei Marmi is a short hop in the car.

This new 4-star hotel enjoys a super-central location just inside Lucca’s famous walls, overlooking the double squares of Piazza del Giglio and tree-lined Piazza Napoleone (setting for the evening passeggiata. Nothing is more than ten minutes’ walk within Lucca’s historic centre.

Occupying a historic building, not much remains of its storied past (erstwhile guests include Giacomo Puccini, John Ruskin and – later – Chet Baker)  thanks to a recent, contemporary re-vamp, but it remains a comfortable and central place to stay in a city where the hotel scene is rather lacking.

There’s a restaurant where you can sample the chef’s contemporary take on local classics, but the real x-factor is the rooftop bar; perfect for a sunset cocktail, overlooking Lucca’s ancient rooftops.