Lori Barbely
Hi, I’m Lori, the Chief Travel Officer for Mostly Solo Travel! I created this site for solo (and would-be solo) female travelers. My goal is to inspire your trips, give you practical advice on how to plan, and to ease your fears so you can explore the world on your own.
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Where to Park in Lucca: Parking, ZTL Rules & Avoiding a Fine
Can You Drive Inside Lucca’s City Walls? Can you and should you are two very different questions. Yes, it is physically possible to drive inside Lucca’s historic city walls. But the majority of the historic center is a ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato), which means access is restricted to residents and authorized vehicles. So the short answer for tourists? Don’t drive inside Lucca’s city walls unless your hotel has specifically arranged authorized ZTL access for you. And honestly, you probably don’t want to anyway. Lucca is wonderfully walkable, and one of the best things about visiting is wandering through the narrow medieval streets without worrying about traffic. Park your rental…
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How to Get to Lucca: From Florence, Pisa & Pisa Airport
Lucca may be a little less famous than Florence or Pisa, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s difficult to get to. In fact, it’s pretty easy. Whether you’re arriving from Florence, already exploring Pisa, or flying into Pisa International Airport, getting to Lucca is pretty straightforward. And because Lucca Station / Stazione di Lucca is just outside the historic city walls, you can be wandering through the medieval streets before you know it. I’ve broken down the easiest ways to get from Florence, Pisa, and Pisa Airport to Lucca, including trains, buses, rental cars, private transfers, and day tours. Quick Answer: What’s the Best Way to Get…
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Lucca Italian School Review: What It’s Really Like to Learn Italian in Italy
Lucca Italian School Review: What It’s Really Like to Learn Italian in Italy Have you ever dreamed about learning Italian in Italy? I have. Actually, I’ve been trying to learn Italian for a while, and I’ve discovered something about myself along the way: I don’t love learning a language online. Don’t get me wrong. My online Italian teacher was great, and I learned a lot. But there’s only so much immersion you can get when you’re sitting in front of a computer with 15 people on a Zoom call. So when I had the opportunity to spend a week at Lucca Italian School in Tuscany, I jumped at it. And…
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Where to Stay in Lucca: Best Hotels Inside Lucca’s City Walls
Trying to figure out where to stay in Lucca, Italy? One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether you want to stay inside Lucca’s historic city walls or outside them. Personally, if you’re visiting Lucca for the first time, I’d strongly consider staying inside the walls. You’ll be surrounded by medieval streets, beautiful piazzas, historic churches, restaurants, cafés, and shops—and most of Lucca’s major attractions will be within easy walking distance. The good news is that there are plenty of hotels inside Lucca’s city walls, from elegant full-service hotels to tiny boutique properties with just a handful of rooms. I’ve rounded up 10 of the best hotels…
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Surfing Santas, Cocoa Beach, Florida
We don’t have snow in Florida, we have Surfing Santas! Every Christmas Eve since 2009, Surfing Santas have lined the shores of Cocoa Beach, Florida. George Trosset founded the event, which has since become a beloved tradition. What started as a family gathering turned into a Christmas tradition that has raised more than $300,000 for charity. Each year a growing number of costumed Santas (as many as 800) take to the waves on December 24 in Cocoa Beach and raise money for Grind for Life, a local cancer charity, and the Florida Surf Museum. I’ve been to the event a few times and wanted to share some of my top…
