About Lucca

'Gravel crunched beneath my smooth tyres and a single file grove of plane trees provided dappled morning shade on the path ahead.' Le mura (walls) ... are equal parts Hadrian's Wall and Luxembourg Gardens and a perfect place to experience Lucca's reputation as cyclist's haven. Pableaux Johnson, The New York Times (travel)

This beautiful and ancient medieval town was the birthplace of Catalani, Boccherini, Puccini, Matteuci and Del Prete. The four kilometre tree lined walls surrounding the city are the only ones of their kind in Italy and one of the few to exist like them in all the world. You can walk, cycle or run on them all year round.

Although there are many visitors each year to this beautiful city in central Tuscany, it has still retained its tranquility and charm. Increasingly being chosen as the Tuscan city of preference, Lucca is also an excellent choice for those wanting to enjoy the benefits of a restful holiday while still being able to make day trips to some of the larger Tuscan cities such as Pisa, Sienna or Florence.

With the Tuscan Riviera only half an hour by car, the ski resort about an hour up the mountain, Lucca is also surrounded by some of the richest wine and olive oil production in the world.

Annual Festivals
Lucchese celebrate the seasons with Autumn bringing chestnut and porcini mushroom festivals. A hilltop village not far out of Lucca centre, has a chestnut museum, and dedicates a weekend in October for a festival. Amongst other things, the most heavenly crepes made with ground chestnuts can be devoured.

For a 'chestnuts roasting by an open fire' experience, there are weekend packages available above the village in beautifully restored properties with big open fires, and Lucchese cooking demonstration included.

Two other festivals in September are the Murabilia and the Santa Croce. The Murabilia is over a weekend and the walls are covered in a splendid array of plants and flowers for exhibition or sale. Take time to 'smell the roses' with the warm Tuscan sun on your back.

The Festa di Santa Croce is one of the most important nights on the Annual Calendar. On September 13, the city lights are turned off and thousands of candles are lit by hand and hung all over buildings, churches and bell towers. Ending with a mass and choral service at the duomo, it is a truly magical night with visitors coming from all over Europe.

Strolling is something of a phenomena in most cities but in Lucca you can do just that along the surrounding tree-lined walls. A distance of about 4 kilometres, there are wonderful views of the botanic and palace gardens (Palazzo Pfanner) and you can stop at San Columbano along the way for a long-drink or coffee.

'Good restaurants are in abundance in Lucca with local produce being the key to creating some of the most 'compelling food in Italy.' New York Times.

Population
Lucca has a population of about 372,244 in an area of 1773 km2. The local government is called the Comune and is headed by Sindaco (Mayor) Mauro Favilla. For a quick and interesting read about Lucca's history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucca

Getting to Lucca

By Car: go to http://www.maps.google.com/ and type in Lucca, Italy. About 40 mins from Pisa, an hour from Florence, half an hour from Viareggio. Have plenty of change ready for the autostrada.

For care hire information and bookings:
Nearest Airport: Pisa or Florence,

By plane within Europe to Pisa: http://www.easyjet.com/, http://www.ryanair.com/, http://www.jet2.com/

By train from Pisa airport to Lucca: http://www.trenitalia.it/ (journey time about 40 minutes). Make sure you purchase tickets and validate them before you board. The station is outside the walls of Lucca with the nearest entry to the inside about a 10 minute walk. You can also use the 'trenitalia' site to book trains between Lucca and other European cities.

By bus from Pisa airport to Lucca: http://www.lazzi.it/ The buses collect passengers beyond the airport carpark closest to the autostrada. It arrives in Lucca on Piazzale Verdi inside the walls. Buy a ticket in the airport to the right of arrivals gate.

By taxi outside the airport or for a private service that can take up to 7 people, call: Franco or Marena +39 328 3197280 or +39 328 481711. Mention Experience Lucca.

Where to Stay

Garfagnana -Hills of Lucca
Breathtaking panorama. Clean air and surrounded by nature.
http://www.lalocandadelmoro.it/

City Centre
Convenient and in the heart of the historic centre.
http://www.hotelclub.com/enter.asp?id=56054

House share/home stays with local family's or long and short term rentals of apartments email us for more information

Map of Lucca divided into sections marking out various points of interest www.italy-weather-and-maps.com/.../luccamap.php

Map of Lucca in relation to other surrounding regions www.abctuscany.com/province/maps/lucca.htm

Think Tuscany ... Think Lucca!
mailto:info@experiencelucca.com