Lucca

Lucca is a city and comune in Tuscany, central Italy. Lucca's great era was in the Gothic era just before the Renaissance, and the city contains much marvelous architecture from that era.

The area of most interest to visitors is still enclosed within the old city defensive wall. The top of these broad walls is a ring park, a pleasant place for walking.

Lucca has many old churches, some of which now house art galleries. See art museum. This was the hometown of Puccini, and operas are held regularly. Be sure to come by during the summer months, as the area is regularly dotted with Puccini festivals, hosting a variety of young opera singers from across Europe and North America.

Only in Lucca you can find a special Sweet-bread in shape of a small baguette or a bun. It's called "Buccellato" and it has raisins inside and has a unique taste of anise. You can find it in a small shop called Taddeucci, behind Saint Michael's church in the main square of Lucca.

Accommodations are plentiful, and cheaper than in Florence or Siena. The best stay is at San Giuliano Terme on the road which runs along the foot of the hills from Pisa to Lucca.