Discovery Lucca Categoria

Lucca's maze of winding streets is full of attractions for the foreign explorer, with numerous galleries, churches and museums; excellent shopping; and some outstanding bars and restaurants. The cultural scene is active with regular concerts, exhibitions and pageants; and the calendar is full of craft and antique markets. Lucca is a lovely little town - big enough to have a regular supply of fairs, markets and concerts, but small enough to have avoided the tourist-driven commercialism of larger cities. Its narrow, mediæval streets, protected from developers by the massive city walls, are a charming mix of shops, houses and offices, with a regular sprinkling of palaces, towers and churches.

Highlights include the Piazza dell’ Anfiteatro, a medieval square built on the remains of the ancient Roman amphitheatre, and the stunning Romanesque church of San Michele, where the famous composer (and native son of Lucca), Giacomo Puccini, sang as a boy. The composer's boyhood home has been turned into a museum just around the corner from the church. Lucca is also a wonderful city for shopping (and window shopping). Window dressings are elegant, appealing and fashionable. Local artisans' galleries are complemented by nearby designer outlets of Gucci, Pratesi and Prada. And there is a famous antique market all through the city streets on the third weekend each month. But do not forget the restaurants. Seldom will guests find such a variety of restaurants all in walking distance. Residents ride bicycles within the city and if guests are so inclined, they can rent bicycles.

If you want to see more of Tuscany, Lucca is an ideal starting point. Guests can take a short cab ride from the station on arrival but once luggage is deposited, they can walk to the bus or train. Train and bus connections are frequent to Florence, only an hour away, and it doesn't take much longer to get to Siena or the vineyards of Chianti. Sun lovers can strike for the Versilian beaches (30 minutes) or the Cinqueterre, (1 hr), and Genoa (2 hours). Pisa is the nearest airport (30 minutes), world famous for its Leaning Tower. To the north lies the Garfagnana, a splendid series of mountains and valleys (and skiing). Hikers and walkers won't want to miss the steep mountains to the sea of the beautiful Cinqueterre nor the massive Carrara marble quarries, where Michelangelo found his pure white marble.