Travel To Lucca
Introduction to Lucca
Lucca is a beautiful medieval city in Tuscany, near (but not on) the Ligurian coast. Unusually for cities in the region, the walls around the old town were retained intact as the city expanded and modernized. As the wide walls lost their military importance, they became a promenade ringing the old town. They are still fully intact today.
Show/Hide More...Lucca was founded by the Etruscans (there are traces of a pre-existing Ligurian settlement) and became a Roman colony in 180 BC. The rectangular grid of its historical center preserves the Roman street plan, and the Piazza San Michele occupies the site of the ancient forum. Traces of the amphitheatre can still be seen in the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro.
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How to get to Lucca
The nearest airport is Pisa. There are daily flights to Pisa from all over the UK. From Pisa to Lucca is a twenty five minute drive.
A local car hire company is Autonoleggio Giglio, with a pick up point at the airport or train station.
A good reliable local taxi firm is Edotouring. Eduardo charges 55 Euros for the journey from Pisa Airport to Lucca. He can be contacted at info@edotouring.it or by phone 0039 338 4282113, while his website is www.edotouring.it
It is also possible to take a cab to Pisa Central and then a train to Lucca.
Where to stay in Lucca
Within the walls, this luxurious second floor apartment in a renovated , historic and elegant palazzo makes the perfect base from which to explore the magnificent medieval city of Lucca and the rest of Tuscany.
You do not need a car here as the city is best explored on foot or bicycle (easily hired around the city) and just outside the walls is the train station with a regular sevice to Florence, Pisa and Viarreggio.
If you wish to stay in the hills above the city then Ancoraitalia (see banner) have a range of quality villas to rent.This summer (2006) we stayed at the Villa La Volpe in the village of Camigliano which was thoroughly enjoyable.
Where to eat in Lucca
Its not only Michael Winner (Sunday Times 12/06/05) that raves about how good the Bucadisanantonio (see banner) is. Still the best restaurant in town with first class food and an excellent wine cellar. With friendly and attentive service it sets and meets its own high standards. Situated in Via della Cervia, round the corner from Piazza San Michele.It was here that the Buca's sommelier Christiano had a wine tasting for the Italy Magazine team in July.See article in Italy Magazine October Issue 2006.
In Piazza del Giglio is Ristorante Giglio . Here too can be found excellent food and service in a lovely environment.In autumn and winter evenings the warmth from the log fire and light from the chandeliers create a wonderful atmosphere.
Gli Orti di Via Elisa is an excellent trattoria that serves a wide range of dishes from pizzas to fine dining.However the restaurant offers exceptional value for money for quality food and wine.
In the corner of Piazza del Carmine is Trattoria Gigi (see banner) where the food and carafes of local wine are of good quality and value and the service friendly.
Where to watch the world go by in Lucca
It wouldn't be Italy if there were not vantage points to pass the time and enjoy a glass of wine or beer.
Turandot in the corner of Piazza San Michele is an easily found and obvious meeting place. Girovita in Piazza Antelminelli is also a good place for an aperitif. Stella Polare on the corner of Piazza Napoleone is a favourite spot where simple food and drink are available day and night.
Music in Lucca
As befits the hometown of Puccini, Lucca is a musical centre for all tastes from opera to jazz to popular and rock music.
The "Puccini e la sua Lucca Festival" hosts some 332 evening opera concerts throught the year Tickets are reasonably priced and early evening times make this an ideal pre dinner entertainment.The majority of performances are held in the beautiful church of San Giovanni in the historical centre of Lucca.
For a full programme of concerts visit www.puccinielasualucca.com
For popular music fans then Lucca hosts a summer festival in July with artists this year including: Elton John,Dion Warwick,Norah Jones,Ricky Martin,George Michael,Joss Stone,Steely Dan,Lauryn Hill Elisa and John Legend. For more details visit www.summer-festival.com.
Activites in Lucca
If you are planning to visit this area and want to join cookery classes or enjoy wine or bike tours or indeed anything you want to do from sailing to adventure tours either of the following companies can help organise any thing for you. www.notordinaryways.com or www.livinglucca.it
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