• Lucca –A small city that sits just north of Pisa, Lucca lacks the crowds that throng the leaning tower, the coach and cruise loads that plague Florence, and offers an all-round gentler pace for enjoying Tuscan life.
The historic part of the city is contained within impressively intact city walls which stretch for kilometers providing a thick skirt around Lucca’s center. Down below, a small but perfectly formed criss-cross of streets sprawl out to the four corners of the city walls connecting one picturesque piazza to another by way of cobbled streets that are the very stereotype of Italian life.
In Lucca a chilled-out café culture by day folds itself nicely into the restaurant and bar scene by night, but, most impressive of all, and as you might expect from the place where world-famous opera composer Puccini was born, world-class musical events await.
• The famous villas aAround Lucca – In the countryside outside the walls of Lucca are vineyards, olive groves, and several historic villas, Some of them were the residence of the noble Italian families and great patrons of art, and are living examples of the various styles of architecture in Tuscany, have occurred over time. The most famous of the Lucchese villas dating back to 1500 and are of great importance, both historically, and environmentally because their gardens are rich in rare species of trees, plants and citrus trees, but mainly because they are the most beautiful gardens Italian. The three most important and most beautiful villas of Lucca are Villa Torrigiani, Villa Reale and Villa Mansi
• Versilia – Is the area right along the Tuscan coast in the northwesternnorth-western edge of the province of Lucca is widely known for the fashionable beach resorts along its Riviera, with numerous night clubs attracting visitors for its active night life during the summer. The coastal shelf along this part of the Tuscan coast is really sandy and gradually slops into the sea, making it perfect for families with small kids during the day. The many shops and restaurants (as well as hotels) along the seafront also make the Versilia a great place to spend the summer, with everything you need within easy reach.
• Forte dei Marmi – Sea and culture are the two characteristics of Forte dei Marmi, one of the most famous tourist centers along the Tuscan shore. The center of town is rich in shops and high fashion boutiques with designer’s clothes and it is a must for visitors to go out shopping also late in the evening.
• Often overlooked are the historical centers of the two towns Pistoia and Prato, on the way to Florence. Prato’s historical center is characterized by medieval and Renaissance architecture. Highlights include the impressive Prato Cathedral, narrow cobblestone streets, and landmarks like the Palazzo Pretorio. The well-preserved city walls, gates, and a mix of museums and shops contribute to the vibrant and culturally rich atmosphere of this historic district. Pistoia has a smaller and compact historic center with well-preserved medieval and Renaissance architecture, including the beautiful Pistoia Cathedral. The town is known for its lively piazzas, narrow streets, and a mix of historical sites, making it a delightful destination.
• Porto Venere – A small town considered one of the most beautiful places on the west coast of Italy. In 1997 Portovenere and the nearby villages of Cinque Terre were designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Portovenere sits on a rocky peninsula in the Gulf of Poets. It was once popular with poets and writers such as Byron, Shelley and Lawrence. With its small harbor lined with colorful houses, its narrow streets leading up to the castle and the church standing on top of the rock, Portovenere it is well worth a visit.
• The Cinque Terre – The name Cinque Terre literally means “Five lands”, but in this case stands for “Five small medieval villages”. These unique villages hide between green, steep hills and the turquoise Ligurian sea, their pastel-colored houses are built on top of rocks or in little bays. The best way to reach the Cinque Terre is by train from La Spezia with stops at each of the villages. When you look at them, you feel like you are in a fairy tale. The Cinque Terre National Park is a great choice for an active holiday. You can also hike on 100 kms of trailsfrom one village to the next, swim in the tiny bays of this 15-km coastline or simply , sea-kayak, dive, ride a bicycle, rent a boat, go fishing or sailing. You can do wine and olive oil tasting, take a pesto making or cooking course or sitwatch the world go by around in one of the many cafés and restaurants and try the delicious local special.ties.
