The Adventure Of Traveling To Lucca

From the time a person boards the train in Florence for the 70 minutes ride to Lucca, they know that an adventure is afoot. The train travels through the countryside and a person can feel themselves being taken back in time. The view of the Apuane Alps and the fields throughout Tuscany seem to meet in this beautiful Northern location.

The city of Lucca is on a Plateau near the Serchio River. Unlike much of Tuscany, there are very few steep climbs in the city. Access to the first site a person will want to visit is on a beautiful path leading to the walking wall that surrounds Lucca. The three mile of wall than encircles the city gives a visitor to see the entire city from above. The wall is forty feet high and sixty feet wide. It is beautifully maintained and gives a person the opportunity to see all of the beautiful cathedrals, piazzas, and gardens and parks that lie within the city walls.

The city has many winding streets leading to small shops and points of interest. There are very cars in the city, so walking or bicycling is the main modes of transportation. The city was originally built by the Romans, so a person will find architectural features dating from Roman times throughout the city.

The city is laid out on a Roman grid pattern which makes it very easy to navigate and get around. The Piazza dell’ Antitetro is surrounded by outdoor cafes, shops, and homes. The center of the piazza is a Roman amphitheater that has an outstanding market during the month of December. A visitor can find unique crafted items from all over the Lucca area.

When a person is visiting a beautiful town and looks up to see mature oak trees on top of a tower, they must investigate. The Tower Guinigi is a fabulous tower whose entry lies at the end of Via Sant’Andrea. Getting to the tower one will find the narrow lane is home to antique shops, a shoe maker, and great cafes. The climb to the tower, which overlooks the city is a marvelous step into the past. The walls of the tower are filled with paintings, diagrams, and artwork that will keep one occupied as they make their way to the top of the tower.

The Piazza San Michele lies at the junction of cardo and decumaneus. This is the Roman junction that lies in the center of the city. The Cathedral San Michele is a unique marble church that has figures of statesmen as pillars in the architecture.

The piazza is surrounded by medieval buildings and wonderful shops. When one want to try true Lucca treats, the Taddeucci bakery behind the cathedral sells traditional Lucca cakes. At the top of the cathedral, the archangel Michele stands with wings which are mobile. Walking around the back of the cathedral a person can see the stairs that two men must climb with poles to move the angel’s wings during events.

There is so much to see and do in Lucca that one can easily spend an entire vacation enjoying the sights and the people of the town. There are festivals, parades, and events from September through December that should not be missed. The processions and fireworks in September are spectacular and make an unforgettable experience.

Click here for more information on Tips for Travelling to Lucca and Enjoying Lucca and Tuscany’s countryside Courtesy of Hotel Hambros Lucca