Travel:

Lucca Italy

Our venue, Casale de Pasquinelli, is located just outside of Lucca, Italy. Lucca is a city on the Serchio river in Italy’s Tuscany region. During the Middle Ages, this beautiful medieval town became a prominent centre for silk manufacturing, and by the 15th century, it had become the largest producer of silk textiles in Europe. Today, this fortified city has become a hub for culture. It’s known for being one of the few remaining cities with well-preserved Renaissance walls encircling its historic city center and its cobblestone streets.

Air Travel

As many of you will be coming from different parts of the country, we would suggest exploring flight options from Delta, American and United. Depending on the city you live in, you may have options to fly directly to Rome (FCO), Florence (FLR), or Milan (MXP). The closest airport to the venue will be Pisa, Italy (PSA).

Ground Travel

PISA Pisa International Airport (PSA) is the closest airport to the wedding venue, however flights into Pisa require a connection. The airport is 50 minutes to the wedding venue by car (€110 taxi, €120 for a 7-8 person minivan). Alternatively, you can take a 30 minute train to the Lucca Train Station (€10) followed by a 25 minute taxi ride to your accommodation (between €40-€60 taxi or 7-8 person minivan). ROME The Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is the international hub for flights from the US. A high-speed Frecciarossa train to Florence (Firenze S. M. Novella) takes about 1.5 hours and costs roughly €70. From there, take a taxi to your accommodation (€170 taxi, €180 for a 7-8 person minivan). Alternatively, a scenic 3-4 hour car ride will get you from Rome to Lucca for about 670-690 euro FLORENCE The Florence Airport (FLR) also typically requires a connection from the US. The airport is 1 hour to the wedding venue by car (€150 taxi, €160 for a 7-8 person minivan). MILAN The Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) is another international airport, offering direct flights from the US. A high-speed Frecciarossa train to Florence (Firenze S. M. Novella) takes about 2 hours and costs roughly €70. From there, take a taxi to your accommodation (€170 taxi, €180 for a 7-8 person minivan). Alternatively, a scenic 3 hour car ride will get you from Milan to Lucca. for about 620 euro from Malpensa airport and 570 euro from Milan city centre.

NOTE: If you plan to go to town or want the ability to go beyond the villa and the hotel down the road, we would recommend renting a car, as longs you are comfortable driving abroad. if you do not already, you will need to obtain a foreign drivers license, if you have one double check that the date is still valid.

-the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro

(*Late April also includes celebrations honoring Saint Zita, a patron saint of Lucca.
During this time, Piazza dell’Anfiteatro fills with flower stalls and markets, which is a very photogenic local tradition.)

-Walk or bike around perimeter of the city walls (about a 5k)

-See Lucca’s duomo; The Cattedrale di San Martino (as seen on invite map!)

-Climb up the Guinigi Tower for views and oak trees on top (as seen on invite map!)

-Try the local sweet treat, buccellato di Lucca

-See the facade on the Basilica of San Frediano

-stroll down the main shopping street, Via Fillungo

-Puccini Museum

-Stroll, Shop, Eat, Drink & enjoy A Slower Pace!

-Please note: Our wedding day, April 25 in Italy is a major national holiday known as Festa della Liberazione (Liberation Day)Festa della Liberazione (Liberation Day), marking the end of the Nazi occupation and Fascist regime in 1945. Also called Anniversario della Resistenza, this public holiday honors the Italian Resistance and Allied forces, featuring parades, ceremonies, and patriotic songs

Also Happening around our wedding dates in Lucca:

Lucca Città di Carta festival
Puccini opera at Teatro del Giglio (April 26)
- Special production celebrating the centenary of the famous opera by Giacomo Puccini, who was from Lucca
- Performed in Lucca’s historic opera house
Marcia delle Ville countryside walk/run: April 25–26
- Scenic running/walking event through historic Tuscan villas outside Lucca
- Routes range from 3.5 km to 28 km
- Includes food stops with local specialties along the route
Lucca Classica music festival (for anyone extending their stay in Lucca, April 29 – May 3, 2026)
- One of Lucca’s major annual cultural festivals
- Classical music concerts held throughout the historic center — churches, theaters, squares, and palaces
- Performances run morning to late night across the city

Places to go in Lucca:

-If you plan on going to any sites around Lucca/Florence/Rome/Pisa, be sure to look if they require a reservation in advance. The Duomo, for instance does require tickets in advance.

-For Ladies, note that many churches require shoulders and legs to be covered, so dress accordingly. They will deny entry.

-don’t wait for the airport to convert USD to Euro, there will be a significant up-charge fee. Your bank should be able to get you Euros in advance if requested.

-Be sure to download WhatsApp and set up prior to arriving in Europe. You can also set up international calling/text through you wireless carrier in advance.

-Download and enter all payment info on the Uber app before you leave.

-Notify your bank in advance that you will be traveling abroad, so as to avoid fraud alerts. (Note that discover is widely unaccepted in Italy.)

-There are several translating apps, if you are interested. however, we rarely have trouble with the language barrier in Italy.

-Olivia was gluten and dairy free for 8 years before we went to Europe together in 2024. Olivia was able to eat free of restrictions while traveling through Italy and much of Europe. we hope that is the case for anyone with this concern! (of course we will accommodate all food allergies or restrictions, regardless!)

_Jet Lag Advice: the first 24 hours are key- resist the urge to slow down or rest or nap. keep yourself active and busy until at least 10 P.M. revive with a shower upon landing, before you go out and explore! We are in the motherland of espresso, embrace it!

-Don’t forget to pack an adaptor (For Italy, Type L or standard 2-pin European plug adapter).

-It is not customary to tip in Italy.