Art cities and others – or day trips
Florence 1-2 days
Florence is the capital of Tuscany, easy reachable from Lucca: 40 minutes’ drive, within an hour by bus and 1 ½ by train. All public transports stop in the historical centre – at Santa Maria Novella. Florence is worldwide known for its artistic masterpieces – the coloured marble of the churches and the famous architecture.
Florence was the city of the Medici family, an ancient Tuscan family who became one of the most important dynasties in Italy and Europe.
There is a large number of monuments to be visited thanks to its importance and beauty. Just to mention the most renowned ones: The dome, the Uffizi Galleries, the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Gallery of the „Accademia”, “Palazzo Vecchio”, the “dome” of Brunelleschi and the Michelangelo square. We highly recommend our guests to book visits early, here the web-page:
https://www.uffizi.it/biglietti
Once you are satisfied with your visits to museums and galleries discover Florence open-air: stroll in the lanes of the historical centre till the Boboli gardens. Find a roof-top bar for your sunset, enjoy Italian life-style while having an aperitivo and admire from the top the beauty of this city.
https://www.palazzoguadagni.com/loggia-roof-bar/
https://www.hotelcalimala.com/angel-roofbar-dining?utm_source=google&utm_medium=gmb&utm_campaign=gmb_website
http://www.hotelplazalucchesi.it/en/empireo-rooftop-view-american-bar-and-pool.php
Pisa and surroundings – ½ day
Pisa is a small city, easy reachable by car or by train (18 minutes). Pisa can be discovered relaxed on foot – worldwide famous because of its leading tower – works started back in 1173 and finished in 1300. Next to the tower you will find Piazza dei Miracoli with its cathedral.
It is possible to have nice strolls along the Arno River.
The surroundings of Pisa are a visit worth – such as Calci with its monumental charterhouse which hosts the museum of natural history. Medieval hamlets throughout the countryside such as Vicopisano, Pontedera – some of them with interesting museums: Capannoli, Chianni, Lari, Palaia e Peccioli. It is worth to mention the village of Lajatico, famous for its „Teatro del Silenzio” a natural amphitheatre set amidst the hills. Location for enchanting concerts of Andrea Bocelli, during summer.
https://www.musement.com/it/
https://www.teatrodelsilenzio.it/
Montecarlo – ½ day
The charming hamlet of Montecarlo can be reached by car (about 30 minutes’ drive from Lucca) – the ideal destination for those wanting to know the food and wine traditions of this area – discover here the “strada del vino e dell’Olio – Lucca – Montecarlo – Versilia – a food and wine itinerary throughout the hills of Lucca, Montecarlo, the Versilia and the Serchio (river) valley.
People living here are proud to valorise their territorial prodcuts – starting from the wine to the olive oil (many farms/agriturismi producing them) and last but not least the landscape of this area which attracts tourists.
Siena – 1 day
Siena can be reached from Lucca only by car (about 1 ½h drive)
Plunge into a medieval city characterized because of the architecture of its “palazzi” – the core of the city is the worldfamous “Piazza del Campo” where every year (during summer) the “Palio” is celebrated (a historical horse race with riders in traditional outfits) loved because of its customs and traditions. The piazza is overseen by the tower Torre del Mangia (88 meters), not to forget the Dome, babtistery and museum.
Parco di Pinocchio e Quercia delle Streghe – Collodi – ½ day
La Quercia delle Streghe (the oak of the witches) is only a few chilometers from the city of Lucca. This enormous and century old oak tree is owner of two legends – the more famous one is the fairy tale of Pinocchio – the story goes that here, under this oak tree Pinoccio met the cat and the fox.
Great fun for the whole family could be the Pinocchio Park in Collodi.
Il Lago di Massaciuccoli – ½ day
The lake of Massaciuccoli is a natural reserve and a renowned ornithological site in Italy since 1800. With long studies more than 300 different species of birds were discovered. Lovely and interesting strolls, but if you want to capture the beauty of this lake you may make a boat’s tour (either big or small boat or canoe) – a perfect spot for birdwatching or photographers.
https://www.oasilipumassaciuccoli.org/
La Garfagnana – 1-2 days
The region of the Garfagnana is primarily marked because of its territorial products, result of a genuine area rich of traditions. Located in the North of Lucca, surrounded by 60‘000 hectares of woods – a true paradise for nature lovers. The activities here are for everyone and every age – family activities, group sports or just delicious tastings of local products.
An attractive spot thanks to its natural reserves, castles, caverns, Roman churches and medieval hamlets which still live their customs and traditions. The main town is Castelnuovo di Garfagnana – a unique little town with narrow lanes going up and down, picturesque glimpses. To mention the market which is held every Thursday morning in the main square.
Grotta del Vento, Fornovolasco
There are different tours, suitable for everyone – caverns full of stalagmites and stalactites.
The roads of the Garfagnana are appreciated very much by bikers (roads winding up and down) – another spot to mention is „Il Ponte della Maddalena “– the bridge which unifies the two banks of the river Serchio. Among the people called „Ponte del Diavolo “– built in a particular way and origin of a legend from which the name „Diavolo “derives.