Encircled by its Renaissance walls, Lucca is one of Tuscany’s most graceful towns, and a natural companion to a stay in the countryside nearby. Inside the walls, quiet cobbled streets open onto sunlit piazzas, from the oval curve of Piazza dell’Anfiteatro to the elegant Piazza Napoleone.
Climb the Torre Guinigi for a view over rooftops crowned with oak trees, or wander past the many churches that give the town its unhurried, contemplative rhythm. The walls themselves are something of a local institution: a tree-lined promenade on top, ideal for a walk or a slow bicycle ride at any time of day. Lucca is also known for its cuisine, from simple Tuscan soups to the region’s olive oil, best enjoyed at a table in one of the town’s family-run trattorias. Close enough for an easy day trip, Lucca offers a gentle change of pace from the surrounding hills and vineyards.
