Bagni di Lucca and its surrounds is one of my favorite areas in Tuscany. Here the terrain is full of impossibly picturesque hilltop towns, wild valleys and most importantly top quality local produce.

Bagni di Lucca is a tiny spa town nestled in the Serchio Valley, approximately 25 kilometres from Lucca. The town has been famed since its Roman and Etruscan days for its thermal springs and during the French occupation became the summer residence of the court of Napoleon and his sister Elisa Baciocchi.

My favourite coffee spot in the area is Il Monaco Pasticceria in pretty Ponte a Serraglio, just down the road from the main town – La Villa. They may not speak much English here but they make a mean coffee. If it is after midday.order an espresso rather than a cappuccino (apparently it’s not Italian etiquette to order a cappuccino after 12pm). For under two…