Catered Villas Lucca - Italy

Understated charm and Tuscan authenticity

Lucca is not as well-known as its more glamorous neighbours-- Florence or Siena--but, in many ways, it is even more charming as it does not get anywhere near as many visitors, is much smaller and really lets you live and feel the life of a small Tuscan town much as it might have been for centuries. There is the traditional stroll after dinner when the town fills up as if a tap had been opened and then just as suddenly dies down. There are the ramparts that you can walk or cycle along. There are various markets and the jewellery shops for which the town is famous.

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On weekends there is a well-known flea market with lots of good finds; there are many restaurants offering excellent food in non-touristic surroundings; and there is much to see in the way of culture and architecture. Near-by you have Pisa, Florence, and Montecatini as well as the marble quarries of Carrara. There is a race course near-by for fans of horse racing and several golf courses. For those who want to swim in the sea Forte dei Marmi is 20 minutes away.

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Activities

The areas around Lucca produce some of the finest olive oils (Lucca is supposed to produce the best olive oil in Italy) and good wines. Further south you can visit Barolo and Montecatini for the very best in Italian wines. Rent a bicycle to really take in the city or explore the many villas in the hills of Lucca where nobles built there summer homes to escape the heat of July and August.