SIMON & CLAIRE'S WEDDING:
MORE INFORMATION
Yay, Yay, Yay…..right - here is hopefully everything you need to know now..... last updated 20th May
THE BASICS
Date: Monday 28th May, 2018 (UK Bank Holiday and the start of half term)
Timings: Please be at the venue for 1.30pm
Carriages: From 1.30am onwards...
Ceremony and reception venue: Fattoria Mansi Bernardini, Via di Valgiano, 34-55018 Segromigno in Monte, Lucca, Tuscany
Transport: PLEASE NOTE there is NO PARKING at the venue, taxis therefore advised to get to and from. You will see one of the Ushers as you approach the venue, here taxis can drop off as there is no turning circle on the estate....and remember... we are dealing with Italians here, allow plenty of time to get to the venue...!!!!!
TAXIS: RADIO TAXIS LUCCA are good but they dont speak good english on the phone. If you want to book one in advance you are best emailing them on: info@luccataxi.it
the taxi tel Number: +39 0583 1745 they have 4,6,8 man taxis and charge approx € 35/40 per taxi from central Lucca to the venue.
For those staying in Lucca, there are approx 16 of you, we will share a list of names and email addresses so would be wise to buddy up and share a mini bus / lifts.
Dress Code: Fancy!! Ladies, recommend a block heel or wedge on the day. Lots of gravel and grass to contend with....heel stoppers will be your friend!
The Weather: Expected 27-30 degrees (taken from the same week 2017)
Nearest town: Lucca (Approx 20mins drive).
GROUP WALK AND DRINKS SUNDAY 27TH MAY 4PM
SUNDAY WALK (OR HOBBLE FOR PAV)
Let's get the celebrations started!!! We'd love for you to join us for a walk around the walls of Lucca on the Sunday. This is still going ahead as Pav has arranged himself a way to join everyone.... We will be meeting at the Tourist Information Centre (Centro informazioni turistiche) by the big gate at Porta San Donato at 4pm for a casual walk heading to the final destination... drinks....
Meeting point: Lucca Tourist Information Center, Piazzale S. Donato, 15, 55100 Lucca Click here for map
SUNDAY NIGHT DRINKS IN LUCCA
We would love you all to join us for drinks and nibbles in central Lucca, 5 to 7pm. Everyone welcome (Grandparents, kids etc etc). Please RSVP to claire.oflynn@csm.com to give us an idea of numbers.
Sunday night drinks location: Madama Butterfly, Piazza Cittadella, 55100, Lucca (if lost ask anyone for the Puccini statue which is in the same square). Click here for map
Dress code: Summer casual
WEDNESDAY 30TH MAY ROUNDERS, PASTA AND PROSECCO AT OURS
Come join us at our villa (Fattoria Mansi Bernadini- ie same venue as the wedding) from 3pm for a late afternoon out on lawn for a game of rounders washed down with prosecco and tasty pasta...... bring your swimmers, the kids, the grandparents, everyone that's still in Lucca is welcome.
LOGISTICS
WHERE TO STAY
Taking advantage of half term/making a holiday of it: We recommend getting your villas booked ASAP to avoid missing out. The venue is situated up in the hills, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and plenty of villas within a short drive from the venue. Recommend checking out www.airbnb.co.uk , www.booking.com and www.ownersdirect.co.uk .
Long weekenders: For those looking for a shorter break, staying within the walls of Lucca would make for the perfect city break. We recommend staying within the walls as its an untouched Tuscan town. Outside the walls just doesn't quite have the same charm. Booking anywhere in the walls means location-wise you can't go wrong.
A recommended hotel in Central Lucca: Palazzo Dipinto for more details click here its 30 seconds walk from the Sunday night drinks....
Then for anyone looking for a weekend of luxury in a boutique hotel set up high in the Tuscan hills with fine dining on tap (child free!)…. Then this is the place for you: http://www.tenuta-san-pietro.com/ .
Staying onsite at the venue: All of the B&B rooms at the main house on site (http://www.fattoriamansibernardini.com/bed-and-breakfast/) have now been taken....
TO NOTE: We'd advise checking what hair dryers are supplied on site at your accomodation, Claire advises packing your own as we are in Italy stuck in 1982
Supermarkets for those self-catering:
Large Carrefour just outside the walls Click here
Lidl Lucca: Click here
Lastly local supermarket: Click here
LITTLE PEOPLE
Due to the little monsters now outnumbering us grownups (latest count… 85 kids amongst us all!!!), the wedding is a child free zone. The two exceptions to the rule being immediate family (Ellis, Bailey and their cousins) and any gorgeous little new borns.
Childcare: From those we have spoken to, the majority are bringing with them friends and family to double up as baby sitters on the day/night. We looked into a holiday nanny for Ellis and Bailey – surprisingly reasonable! The venue are happy to recommend local sitters as needed.
If you are travelling via BA and Heathrow T5 there is an awesome soft play located near gate A1. Perfect distraction and energy burner before the flight.
GETTING AROUND
Recommend hire cars for those comfortable with driving abroad. Book these closer to the date as unlike flights, they are more expensive if booking this far out. Note also when driving out and about e.g heading to the beach at Viareggio or Forte Di Marmi, the motorways are tolls... so make sure you have loose change on you when driving! Same for parking, Italy haven't got parking apps or card machines yet...
Parking in Lucca: This can add up if staying for a few days, there are some free car parks located just outside the walls. The one we regularly use is Piazzale Don Franco Baroni, 55100 Lucca LU, Italy (approx. 10 min stroll into centre of town). When parking, read signs carefully… Google translate is your friend here!
GETTING TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT
TAXI: A taxi is the easiest way. Taxis from Pisa to Lucca cost 50-70 EUR - negotiable.. Note we are liaising with people on their flights in and out and if we can pair you up with others to share the cost we'll try to do so...
BUS: There is a blue bus (on the right as you exit the airport building) from Pisa airport to Lucca bus terminal within the walls that runs roughly hourly from around 8am to 1pm and then again from around 3pm to about 6pm depending on weekdays or weekends. There arent many buses running from the airport so its hard to miss. Cost is 3 euros for a single journey 45mins...great value if you are in no rush and doesnt take that much longer than a taxi. There is space on the bus for luggage. Lucca is the final stop so you cant go wrong. It finishes in in Piazzale Verdi which is inside Lucca walls and on the edge of the town. Its about a 8 min walk from there into the centre of Lucca.
Alternatively, a new monorail - Pisamover- (on the left as you exit the airport building) that takes you to Pisa Centrale railway station and change normally platform 1 Ovest takes you Lucca station (third stop) which is just outside the wall opposite Porta San Pietro - again this takes about 40 mins and costs 6 euros one way. They run approx every half hour.
THINGS TO DO: CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW FOR PAV'S TOP ACTIVITIES IN AND AROUND LUCCA
Number one though, don't stay in Pisa... only pop in to see the Leaning Tower. It's not a pretty city outside of the touristy area you are better off in Lucca or Florence...
WEDDING GIFTS
Having you there to celebrate with us is more than enough... However, for those asking, we finally got our act together and went to John Lewis (and mostly argued) to register our gift list:
https://www.johnlewisgiftlist.com/
GIFT LIST NUMBER: 738643
CONTACTS:
In advance of the wedding:
Pav: +44 7825 123408 sipavitt@gmail.com
Claire: +44 7545 928355 claire.oflynn@csm.com
Any questions from Sunday onwards:
- Gemma (fluent Italian speaking friend): +44 7760 868180
- Charlotte (Maid of Honour): +44 7977 149011
- Andi Pav (Simon's brother): +44 7834 208442