From the fashionable Mediterranean coast to the  marble mountains of the Apuans, the chestnut forests of the Apennines, the Natural parks with lakes, canyons,  thermal springs and grottoes,  luxuriant gardens of the Renaissance villas, olive groves and vines. A paradise for those seeking adventure, culture, beauty and excellent food and wine. Its position offers a good starting point for excursions to the most important destinations in Tuscany.

Easy access to motorways, airports, trains and ferries make it easy to visit Florence, Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano, The 5 Terre and the Tuscan Islands.

Lucca:

Lucca is a City of Art, dating back to Roman times, encircled by perfectly preserved Renaissance walls. Enticing the tourist to discover her 100 churches, medieval alleys and magnificent Renaissance squares.
A city which boasts a magnificent past and present rich in culture, art and music.
Not to miss:

The walls:
Take a bike or tandem ride around the unique shady defense walls which give a panoramic view of the city within. 4,200 m circumference.

Churches:
Being on a strategic site along the via Francigena, Lucca is known as the city of a hundred churches. (Although, in fact, there are only 88!)
Churches not to be missed:
The Cathedral of San.Martino. Dates back to the 6 th century, full of precious masterpieces.
The Church of San. Michele. In the main square, the Roman forum.
The church of San Frediano. Notice the unique gold mosaic façade.
The church of San Paolino. Where Giacomo received his musical baptism.

Theatre:
Neoclassic  Teatro del Giglio where the worlds favourite composer Giacomo Puccini presented his operas to his home crowd!

Shopping:
No end of fashionable boutiques and traditional shops for local produce, the most important being the Via Fillungo.

Palaces and squares:
Anfiteatro: An architectural wonder, medieval tower houses built upon the Roman theatre forming an elliptic shaped ‘square’.

Torre delle ore: Only remaining medieval clock tower in the city.

Palazzo Guinigi: Historical palace surmounted by a slender tower still embellishing holm oaks.

Piazza San Michele: Lovely market square on the site of the Roman forum.

Palazzo Pfanner: spectacular 17th century palace with beautiful gardens.

Palazzo Mansi: hosts the national gallery and all its treasures.

Versilia

20 km kilometers of wide sandy beaches framed by the incredible marble Alps make Versilia a most desirable destination for  tourists all year round thanks to its mild climate and wide range of entertainment.

Places to visit:
Viareggio: known as the pearl of the Mediterranean, a renowned seaside resort with its economy based on tourism, ship building and fishing. Fantastic shopping along the liberty style promenade. The pine forest running parallel to the beach provides welcome shade during the hot summer days and numerous entertainment for children.

Torre Del Lago: Lakeside village that Giacomo Puccini chose for its amazing sunsets, beauty and peace to write his immortal operas.

Forte dei Marmi: The trendiest destination for wealthy Italians and holiday makers. Exclusive night life and stylish fashion boutiques.

Pietrasanta: A town of considerable artistic and cultural importance overlooked by the Lombardic fortress.World famous artists have chosen to live and work here giving it an International flair. Art exhibitions, cultural initiatives and lively night life.

Seravezza: A medieval town at the foot of the Apuan Alps, Its territory holds many famous marble quarries highly sought after since the 15th century when Michelangelo chose his raw material here for his masterpieces.

Garfagnana

The green mountainous territory of Lucca sandwiched between the marble-topped Apuan alps and the Tuscan-Emilian Appenines divided by the  Serchio Valley. With 2 national parks it is a paradise for cavers, mountaineers, mountain bikers and hikers.
Relatively untouched by progress it is a naturalists and slow food paradise. Ancient traditions are still preserved as is the hospitality of the inhabitants.
Barga:
Of Medieval origins preserving its maze of alleys and palaces. The cathedral rises high above the town giving spectacular views of the valley and mountains.
Castelnuovo Garfagnana:
A lively fortress town with an excellent slow food culture right in the heart of the mountains. A good starting point for mountain excursions.

Around Lucca

A varied and generous landscape rich in woodland, valleys, gentle hills and picturesque villages. There are hundreds of beautiful villas surrounding Lucca in the blissful countryside amongst vineyards, olive groves and parks. These were the summer dwellings of the  rich Luccan merchants and bankers and many can be visited.

The most important are:
Villa Mansi - Segromigno
Villa Reale -  Marlia
Villa Torrigiani – Camigliano

Local events:

Lucca summer festival-July
International music festival with illustrous artists held in the centre of Lucca.

Puccini Festival-July/August
At Torre Del Lago directly on the lake , the world famous Puccini festival is held, dedicated to Giacomo Puccini’s operas.

Lucca Comics and games-November
The most important exhibition of comics and games in Italy. Held in the centre of Lucca.

Luccadigitalfotofest-November
Digital photo festival with participation from International artists comprising the World press photo competition.

Lucca camellias-March/April
Luccas antique camellia’s show. Art exhibition, botanical drawings, typical produce, concerts.

Viareggio carnival: January/ February
The oldest and one of the greatest carnivals of Italy, where huge politically satirical papier-mâché floats cruise down the Viareggio promenade.

Festival della versiliana-July and august
Wide arrange of entertainment including ballet, theatre and concerts at the open air theatre in the Versiliana Park.

Pietrasanta-June to August
Art exhibitions.famous artists exhibit in the Piazza duomo and Luigi Russo cultural Centre.

Forte dei Marmi:September
A special recognition to writers, journalists, cartoonists and show business celebrities.

Barga Jazz festival:July /August
Jazz concerts in the centre of Barga with International musicians.

Weekly Market days:

Lucca, via Bacchettoni - Wednesdays and Saturday mornings

Viareggio - Thursday mornings (in Centre daily market)

Forte dei Marmi - Wednesday mornings

Pietrasanta - Thursday mornings

Castelnuovo Garfagnana - Thursday mornings