It’s surprising that more people don’t use Lucca as a base for a week or so when visiting Tuscany. When they discover that Tuscany includes more than Florence and Siena, they quickly want to know how to build a vacation to see it all. Lucca has served merely as a day trip from Florence. Tourists come to see Lucca, then Pisa and seldom spend much more than a few hours.
But what a delight it is to spend days, weeks and maybe a month in Lucca and surrounds! Not only is the walled town a delight for the sights, food and shopping, but it’s within a hour of the Mediterranean beaches of Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi, and also within a hour of the mountain charms of Barga and other Garfagnana delights. There are Napoleon villas, the delights of Collodi (the home of Pinocchio), wonderful vineyards and olive groves, plus the lake home of Puccini and wonderful productions! Here are just a few favorite photos: