Restaurants

Restaurant Review: Osteria Miranda, Lucca, Tuscany

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This post reviews our dinner at Osteria Miranda in Lucca, Tuscany in September 2024. We highly recommend this tasty restaurant!

Lucca. Late September 2024.

OSTERIA MIRANDA

I found Osteria Miranda when trying to make a dinner reservation at Osteria Cantine Bernardini in Lucca – a restaurant that we dined at and looooved in 2015. Osteria Cantine Bernardini remains open but was temporarily closed during our visit due to a “water issue” according to staff (and I hope that is all it was!). Osteria Cantine Bernardini suggested its sister restaurant, Osteria Miranda, instead and made us a reservation. Done.

Osteria Miranda from Lucca’s town walls.

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The Perfect Itinerary for a Day Trip to Lucca, Italy!

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We made our second trip to Lucca in September, having first visited in 2015. While we stayed for two days on both visits, many visitors spend only 1 day, or even a half-day, visiting from Florence and other parts of Tuscany. I still recommend staying at least a night to get the full Lucca experience, but if you only have a few hours (or 1 day) to see Lucca, this is what you should see and do!

In Lucca!  Walking shoes are recommended.

ARRIVAL IN LUCCA

Most people will arrive in Lucca via its only train station. The train station is small and located a short 5-minute walk from Lucca’s old town, which is the heart of the city and where you want to be!  Once you get off the train, follow signs for the exit and leave the train station (there is a ramp to the right side of the station if you need it). Walk to the left side of the train station (with your back to the station) and you can literally walk a straight line to Lucca’s town walls. If you make this straight walk, there is an entry into the old town here. I do not think most people need a taxi, as the walk is short and easy.

Arriving in Lucca. The main station building is straight ahead. It’s safe and there is assistance inside the main building if you need help.  To access the main station building, there is an underground walkway.

Lucca’s incredible old town walls. The little walkway to the right is the walkway I mentioned to the train station.

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2 Days Exploring Lucca, Tuscany!

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This post reviews Dan and my two-day visit to Lucca in September 2024. This was our second visit to Lucca  (read about the first here) and as expected, we had a wonderful time.

Lucca’s famous towers, which were formerly owned by wealthy families showing off.

LUCCA, TUSCANY

Lucca is a small city in Tuscany – about an hour inland from the Ligurian Sea and about an hour west of Florence. Lucca is a popular day trip from Florence, and its known for its well-preserved historic center that is surrounded by amazing town walls that you can walk or bike along. Lucca is also the birthplace of several famous composers, including Puccini (the most famous), Catalani and Boccherini.

Lucca, Italy.

Aside from being generally popular with tourists, Lucca is also the hometown of Dan’s great-grandmother, Ida Poli. We first visited back in 2015 and returned in 2024 with Dan’s uncle and aunt. We really like Lucca. While it can be touristy, it is still a real Italian town and it’s not nearly as touristy or crowded as Florence or Cinque Terre. We stayed overnight both visits, which I recommended over a day trip to fully enjoy the city.

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Airport Lounge Review: No. 1 Lounge, Heathrow Terminal 2

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No.1 Lounge is a UK airport lounge brand with locations in several UK airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick. I previously visited the one in Heathrow’s Terminal 3 (also great, but this one was superior), which you can read about here. This review discusses the new No.1 Lounge in Heathrow’s Terminal 2, or “The Queen’s Terminal.”

NO.1 LOUNGE LOCATION IN TERMINAL 2

The No.1 Lounge in Terminal 2 is located post-security near Gate A2. To access the lounge, turn right after security and take the elevator or escalator down 1 level. Once on the lower level, turn right behind the Louis Vuitton cafe (which looked so nice) and you’ll find another elevator (with a sign) to take you to the lounge. Honestly, locating the No. 1 Lounge was not the easiest, which was made more difficult by the fact that it is a new lounge and there are few signs for it. We finally found a sign at the elevator leading to the lounge. It was worth the search.

Finally found the elevator to the No.1 Lounge!

CHECK-IN TO THE NO.1 LOUNGE IN TERMINAL 2

We checked in to the No.1 Lounge by presenting our Priority Pass card and boarding passes to the check-in desk, which is are is where guests exit the elevator from the general terminal. There were no issues checking in with Priority Pass (as there often are), but it was not a particularly crowded flying day IMO.

While we used our Priority Pass to access the No. 1 Lounge, anyone can go on the lounge’s website and purchase a 3 hour pass for 40 pounds per adult (20 per child). Passes can be booked up to 24 hours in advance, and there is often a discount for booking in advance online. We attempted to book the lounge online, but (1) it was too late (less than 24 hours in advance) and (2) the lounge charged full price to book (the other No.1 permitted a nominal reservation fee for those with Priority Pass). Given how crowded some lounges can get, I suggest making a reservation if you can.

THE NO.1 LOUNGE SPACE IN TERMINAL 2

Compared to the No.1 Lounge in Terminal 3, the No.1 Lounge in Terminal 2 is much smaller, but also much more chic. The vibe of the lounge was old school luxury, with a clean, modern feel, but while also invoking somewhat of an art deco theme. It definitely worked. Think green plants, lots of wood and velvet furniture. Feathery plants were also sprinkled around. I really loved this style.

A selection of the decor.

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Restaurant Review: Cantina di Miky, Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre

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After booking other people at Cantina di Miky in Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre for literally years, I finally dined here myself on a late September Monday evening! My dinner was wonderful and I will absolutely return (and continue to book others there!). This post reviews my delicious dinner at Cantina di Miky in Cinque Terre, Italia!

Monterosso al Mare at sunset (note – this is not from Cantina di Miky).

CANTINA DI MIKY RESTAURANT IN MONTEROSSO AL MARE

Cantina di Miky is a seafood restaurant in Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre. Owned by locals, Cantina di Miky has been around for at least a decade. My in laws dined there waaaaay back in 2015, and I don’t think it was a new restaurant then… Cantina di Miky’s philosophy is “Il Km 0,” meaning that all of its ingredients are sourced from the hyper local area of the restaurant, here Cinque Terre! This philosophy is quite popular in Italy, and it always makes for delicious, local dishes that change with the season. In fact, you cannot find a “standard” menu for Cantina di Miky online because it changes so frequently.

Cantina di Miky logo. I love this little diver.

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