Welcome to San Ginese
La Capanna di Arturo is part of a corte, the small cluster of houses typical of the Tuscan countryside. The stone building, with its characteristic mandolata brick walls, was fully restored in 2019 and divided into two apartments, one on the ground floor and one on the first floor.
Close to Lucca and about 25 km from the sea, it is a convenient base for visiting Pisa, Florence, historic villages, the coast and nature trails, returning each evening to the peace of the countryside.
The apartments
Independent, opening onto the same courtyard and bookable separately or together.
from €100 per nightindicative price
Amenities
Also bookable on
from €138 per nightindicative price
Amenities
Also bookable on
Comfort and wellbeing
Across from the house, past a small gate, is the outdoor area reserved for guests of both apartments, with a sauna, a gym and an outdoor hot tub.
Things to do
Tap an area of the map to see what to visit and how far it is.
La Capanna di Arturo
The historic centre is easy to explore on foot, among Romanesque churches, historic shops and squares. A tree-lined avenue of about 4 km runs along the top of the Renaissance walls, to enjoy on foot or by bike, with the city on one side and the hills on the other.
It is the closest city to the house, handy for a morning in town, an aperitivo or dinner, even more than once during your stay.
Beyond Piazza dei Miracoli, with the Tower, the cathedral and the baptistery, Pisa is worth a stroll along the Lungarni and among the shops of Borgo Stretto, where the city feels most alive.
The nearest airport to the house is here too. On Monte Pisano, which separates Pisa from the plain of Lucca, you will find the Certosa di Calci, Vicopisano and scenic trails among the olive trees.
Pistoia has an authentic, lived-in historic centre, away from the main tourist crowds, with one of the most beautiful cathedral squares in Toscana.
In Montecatini Terme you can stroll among the Art Nouveau spa buildings and ride the funicular up to the village of Montecatini Alto. Nearby is Collodi, Pinocchio's village.
Wide, well-equipped beaches with the Alpi Apuane behind them and a long seafront promenade. Viareggio is famous for its Carnival and Art Nouveau buildings, Pietrasanta for its galleries and art workshops, Forte dei Marmi for its boutiques.
In summer it is an easy trip for a day at the beach, while out of season the promenade is perfect for a sunset walk.
The Serchio valley, between the Alpi Apuane and the Apennines, with stone villages, chestnut woods and trails for every level.
Heading up the valley you pass the Ponte del Diavolo at Borgo a Mozzano, Barga, listed among the most beautiful villages in Italy, and the Grotta del Vento. In summer it is a cool place for walking, and autumn is chestnut season.
Livorno is a lively seaside city, known for cacciucco fish stew and the canals of the Venezia quarter, which you can also explore by boat.
Further down the coast you will find Bolgheri and its cypress avenue, the Golfo di Baratti with the Etruscan necropolis of Populonia and, from Piombino, the ferries to Elba.
Above Carrara, the marble quarries form white walls that look like snow even in summer. In Colonnata, the quarrymen's village, you can taste lardo cured in marble basins.
Further north lies Lunigiana, a land of Malaspina castles, country churches and medieval villages, to discover at a slow pace away from the tourist crowds.
Firenze is the cradle of the Renaissance, with the Duomo, the Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio, as well as gardens, artisan workshops and the view from Piazzale Michelangelo.
The easiest way to get there is the train from Lucca, which reaches Santa Maria Novella without changes and avoids traffic and restricted traffic zones. Along the line lies Prato, with its cathedral and Textile Museum.
Siena is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. Its heart is Piazza del Campo, where the Palio is run twice a year.
Further south lies the Val d'Orcia, a UNESCO site, with hills dotted with cypresses, Pienza and Montalcino. To enjoy it at a relaxed pace, set off early in the morning.
Arezzo holds Piero della Francesca's frescoes in the Basilica di San Francesco and, on the first weekend of every month, hosts its historic antiques fair in Piazza Grande and the streets of the centre.
Nearby are Cortona, overlooking the Val di Chiana, and the forests of the Casentino, with the Santuario della Verna and the Castello di Poppi.
The wildest side of Toscana, with the Parco della Maremma and the beaches of Alberese, the free hot springs of Saturnia and tufa villages such as Pitigliano, Sorano and Sovana.
To enjoy it at a relaxed pace, plan a weekend and mix sea, thermal springs and nature.
From places just around the corner to full-day outings
Towers and olive groves
Historic homes and gardens
Village and vineyards
Pinocchio's village
Woods at altitude
Medieval towers
Etruscan town
Villages by the sea
Our favourite places, from the trattorias of the Compitese to the osterias inside the walls of Lucca.
Home-style Tuscan cooking, a few minutes from the house.
Wood-fired pizza, great for an evening with the family.
Open for lunch and, from Friday to Sunday, also for dinner.
A wide menu of Tuscan dishes and pizza.
Traditional Lucca cooking, a stone's throw from the walls.
Typical Lucca dishes on a square in the historic centre.
Refined Tuscan cooking, listed in the Michelin Guide.
An osteria run by two sisters, recommended by Gambero Rosso.
Opening hours and vegetarian or gluten-free options are indicative, please check them before you go.
Location
The house is in the Compitese area, in San Ginese di Compito, a village in the municipality of Capannori about 15 minutes from Lucca. The village is divided into cortes with old names, such as Castello, Villa, Al Porto and Collina. La Capanna di Arturo is in Corte Cecchini.
Approximate driving times.
