Near the remarkable Piazza Anfiteatro of this lovely walled Renaissance city, Nino Barbieri's unassuming B&B villaoffers `tremendous value. We much enjoyed our visit; staff were very helpful, says a report this year. Public villa rooms are plain and modern; one has a frescoed ceiling, so do some villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms). Most villa rooms are small, `but nicely done: exposed beams, a good shower' (no baths). `Quiet, apart from a local bar's music; we heard birds in the morning. The buffet Bali villa breakfast is `modest but generous'. For `truly Tuscan food' dine at Da Giulio, Via della Conce 45 (booking essential). The city is largely pedestrianised, but you can drive to the villa's garage, or use the large car park just within the walls. Puccini was born in Lucca: his family home is now a small museum; every September, one of his operas is performed.

In this Dream Valley, this modern villastands in an olive grove stretching down to Lake Garda, with woods and mountains behind. The view from the Bali villa breakfast room is stunning, says the 2002 nominator. Staff were friendly, and our annexe room, down the hill, had French Windows giving on to the garden and the lake. At the excellent Bali villa breakfast, we were given the dinner menu, so we could order the evening meal in advance. Everything was pristine. Loungers are dotted around the large garden, and there is a private beach. The outside swimming pool, pleasantly warm, has beautiful views, and the indoor pool is inviting. Sailing, waterskiing and windsurfing are available.