Encompassed by its impressive 16th century walls, Lucca is a delight to explore. One of Italy's finest medieval treasures, the centre is small, flat and, with many of its narrow cobbled streets pedestrianised, easily manageable on foot. Within a relatively small area there are numerous palazzi, towers, piazzas and splendid churches to discover. Among the most famous of these are the ornate Romanesque churches of San Michele in Foro, San Frediano and the Duomo di San Martino, and also the Piazza dell’Antifeatro, an ancient Roman amphitheatre in an oval shape, and home to one of our apartments. The famous Luccan landmark, the Torre Guinigi, is very near our other two apartments here. A climb right to the top, with its distinctive oak tree terrace, will give you wonderful views over the city.

One of the best ways to see Lucca is to hire a bicycle for a few hours. Many of the locals use bikes to get around and there are a couple of hire shops in Piazza Santa Maria on the north side of the town. One of the most enjoyable experiences in Lucca is to cycle around the ramparts of the walls. Visitors and locals alike can be seen every day enjoying a walk, jog or cycle along the wide, peaceful road running along the top of the wall. Shaded by plane and chestnut trees, there are views down into the old town on one side, and to the beautiful Luccan hills on the other, covered in olive groves and vineyards. Trips outside Lucca during your stay can include trips to local fattorias for wine and olive oil tasting and visits to some of the grand historic villas, now open to the public, for which this area is renowned. The coast at Forte dei Marmi is also within a 20 minute drive in one direction and the larger centre of Florence about 45 minutes in the other. There are regular trains to both Florence and Viareggio.

On the third Sunday (and preceding Saturday) of each month there is a large antiques market centred around Piazza Antelminelli and Piazza San Giusto, events not be missed. On the last Sunday (and preceding Saturday) of the month there is an arts and crafts market in the same area. Lucca's normal daily market is held along Via dei Bacchettoni every Wednesday and Saturday morning.

Lucca is best reached by flight to Pisa, then by regular train service (approximately 30 – 40 minutes), or about 20 minutes by taxi. For those driving, it is possible to park in the centre of town, but many areas are closed to non-resident traffic so it can be difficult, particularly in high season. A better idea is to park in one of the free car parks on the outskirts, such as Porta San Donato, and take one of the small electric buses into town.