Kit's letter continued...

Every time I visit Lucca, I feel like singing! Maybe that's because its most famous citizen is Giacomo Puccini. One of Tuscany's most elegant small cities, Lucca is famous for its tree-topped walls, now a promenade for strolling, sunning, and cycling. Conveniently located just 60 minutes from Florence, 30 minutes from Pisa, and 20 minutes from the seaside, Lucca offers views of the surrounding mountains. With Lucca as your base, you can swim in the seas of the Versilian Riviera, hike in the Cinqueterre, tour some of Italy's most magnificent gardens, or relax in a nearby thermal spa.

The first step is choosing a villa. Does anyone in your group have a walking problem? Will there be small children? Will you need special services like a cook or a driver? Each of our villas has a unique ambience. Our knowledgeable, experienced staff will guide you through the daunting task of selecting the perfect villa, allowing you to speak with someone who has actually seen the property. Before you leave, you will be invited to a private area of our website, just for customers, where you will find everything from packing lists to restaurant recommendations, as well as suggestions for day trips and activities in the region you are visiting. Timing, as they say, is everything. You might not realize that the best of the large villas book early. Typical lead-time for renting a large villa is nine months to one year ahead of time. So, if you are considering a villa for next summer, you should have your villa rental in place by mid-October.

People travel for diverse reasons, everything from interests in architecture to restaurants, but the top reason people travel is to experience remarkable natural beauty. Doorways is dedicated to bringing people together in a beautiful setting that will make you feel like singing, too!

Kit Burns, President