Tuscany in Style: A Quick Visit to Lucca
Updated: Sep 7
While I was staying at the amazing Italian Hospitality Collection hotels in Tuscany we spent a day in Lucca - and wonderful Sunday morning it turned out to be.
Lucca is one of those Italian cities where simply wandering around is part of the pleasure. Its great Renaissance walls completely encircle the historic centre, and the broad, tree-lined promenade makes them an unusually enjoyable way to see the city. On our visit we explored by bicycle before heading into the old streets and piazzas.
We hired a couple of those bicycle-cars and pedalled around the old city walls - which was hard work but fun.
Lucca, on the Serchio river, is renowned for those Renaissance walls - they are very well preserved and encircle the entire historic part of the city - and it’s hardly surprising the broad, tree-lined pathways along the tops of these massive 16th- and 17th-century ramparts are popular for strolling and cycling.
Walk inside the old town and you cannot fail to be chaired by its cobblestone streets. There are a number of public squares, most notably the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, site of ancient Roman amphitheatre.
We also enjoyed strolling through Piazzale Verdi; Piazza Napoleone'; and Piazza San Michele and passing Casa di Puccini, where the great opera composer was born, now a museum.
