If you have been to the iconic European cities of Barcelona, Amsterdam and Paris and are looking for somewhere different, Lucca in the Tuscan countryside of Italy is definitely worth considering.
Just a 2-hour flight from Bristol on a reasonably priced Easyjet flight with civilised times, Lucca is a charming, small Renaissance era city just 20 minutes' drive from Pisa airport.
The city is so small that you can cycle around the 4 kilometre perimeter wall in under 15 minutes, if you are Bradley Wiggins! But at 3 euros an hour for bike hire, there is nothing more pleasant than to hire a bicycle for a few hours and explore the narrow car-free streets, beautiful piazzas and city walls and finish with lunch in the Roman Amphitheatre in the city centre.
Italy can be a fairly expensive tourist destination and certainly an evening meal with a bottle of wine for two can easily set you back 60 euros, but the atmosphere, food and romance of the place will go a long way to soften the blow.
The one thing in Italy that is reasonable, thanks to generous government subsidies, is public transport and Lucca is in an ideal place to take advantage of this. It costs just 3 euros for the bus transfer from Pisa airport to Lucca. There is a train station in the city where a 1 hour 45 minute train ride will take you to Florence for under 10 euros. Pis is 20 minutes away at under 5 euros each way. If it is a beach you are after, a 30-minute train trip to Viareggio will cost you about 7 euros.
Lucca has a wealth of ancient cultural treasures such as the Palazzo Pfanner and the Roman Amphitheatre, but you are so close to Pisa's Leaning Tower and Florence's Uffizi Museum that even the most dedicated culture vulture cannot possibly be left disappointed. For other distractions, spend the afternoon on the beach at the Tuscan seaside resort of Viareggio or walking in the mountain villages just a 45- minute train ride from Lucca.
If possible stay in a hotel within the city walls. The bedrooms might be a bit small as the building will probably be a converted renaissance palace or house, but you have the advantage of stepping right into a lovely historical scene. The city is mainly pedestrianised , with colourful markets, beautiful churches, the famous Pucini museum and has a an international concert venue featuring , among others in 2014, Leonard Cohen, Bryan Adams and Mark Knopfler. All top class acts, or am I just showing my age?
Travel Blog by Simon De Burgh
Phone Simon: 01291 762006
Email Simon: chepstow@milesmorgantravel.co.uk
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