Lucca

Situated in the northwestern part of Tuscany, the province of Lucca is composed of the territories of Lucchesia, Garfagnana and Versilia. Lucca is a beautiful pedestrian art city, enclosed by a charming ancient wall. The latter is red with eleven balloons. Walking through the typical streets of the city, like Via Fillungo and Via Guinigi, you can appreciate its medieval character. Situated in the homonymous street, Guinigi Tower is one of the most representative monuments in the city. Every corner reserves of surprises, with narrow, winding streets that suddenly open in squares of irregular shape and asked for remarkable artistic value. The heart of Lucca is Piazza Napoleone, on which stands the sixteenth-century palace of the Signoria. Not far away is the beautiful Duomo dedicated to San Martino with the bell tower of the thirteenth century and Piazza S. Michele, where stands the beautiful church of San Michele in Foro. Another characteristic point is definitely Market Square (or Amphitheater) with its characteristic elliptical shape.

Across the city Lucchesia is a green, fertile and famous land for quality wines. In addition to the beautiful landscapes, you can appreciate the typical cuisine. Among the most interesting centers, Massaciuccoli is located on the shores of the homonymous lake, a true paradise for bird-watchers and falls within the Migliarino-San Rossore-Massacciucoli Natural Park. Other interesting places are Capannori, famous for the majestic villas of the nobility of Lucca, Altopascio, where you can enjoy the typical local bread, Montecarlo, known for its vineyards, quality wines, olive trees and beautiful flower beds.

Located in the northwestern part of the province bordered by the Apennines Tosco Emiliano, Garfagnana is the most rustic and quiet part of the territory. Here you can enjoy the traditional and very good spice soup or “necci”, made with chestnut flour, which are good for cottage cheese or salami. Among the most interesting centers, Bagni di Lucca is a renowned spa resort. Do not miss a visit to Barga, an ancient hamlet perched on a rocky spur in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, home to a visit to the Apuan Alps Natural Park and Castiglione di Garfagnana.

Versilia, on the other hand, is definitely world-famous: a succession of renowned seaside resorts, equipped with extensive well-equipped sandy beaches. Thanks to countless accommodations, Versilia offers a fun-filled adventure: day at the beach, while at night in the many and many local places of all kinds. The most important centers are Forte dei Marmi, Viareggio, also famous for its colorful carnival and Liberty style buildings, Pietrasanta, known for its artistic marble processing, Camaiore with the Lido di Camaiore and Torre del Lago.

How to get
Lucca is reached from the A-11 motorway, which departs from Florence and runs from Prato, Pistoia and Montecatini to Pisa Nord. The city is also reached by the A-12 Livorno-Genoa. The city is about 65km from Florence airport and about 35km from Pisa. [:]