Every autumn, Lucca transforms into a haven for comic enthusiasts, gamers, and pop culture aficionados during the Lucca Comics & Games Festival. As the most significant comics festival in Italy and Europe, and the second largest globally, this event is a vibrant celebration of creativity, drawing fans from all over the world.
Each summer, the historic city of Lucca resonates with the sounds of rock and pop as the Lucca Summer Festival takes over the city. Held across various dates in June and July, this festival features performances by some of the biggest international music stars, making it a must-visit for music lovers.
Every Saturday morning, Foro Boario becomes a bustling marketplace where young families can find fresh, local produce. From 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on Wednesdays during the summer, this market is perfect for stocking up before a scenic bike ride to Lake Massaciuccoli or the Lucchese hills.
On the third weekend of every month, the streets and squares of Lucca fill with over 200 exhibitors for the Lucca Antique Market. This event is one of Italy’s oldest and most beloved, offering various vintage and antique items.
Since 1996, Piazza San Giusto has been known as the Book Square, where you can find a wide selection of used and second-hand books. It’s a paradise for book lovers looking to add unique volumes to their collections.
Giuseppe Verdi may be renowned worldwide, but in Lucca, it’s all about Puccini. From June to August, the Puccini Festival brings the composer’s masterpieces to life, while the Puccini Days from late November to late December offer concerts and events celebrating his legacy at Teatro del Giglio. The city’s devotion to Puccini extends to murals, artworks, and even culinary delights like Puccini-inspired cookies and cocktails.
Climb the iconic Torre Guinigi to enjoy breathtaking views of Lucca from among the holm oak trees at the top. Located at Via Sant’Andrea 45, the tower requires a reservation and a €5 entrance fee for a 30-minute visit.
The tallest tower in Lucca, Torre delle Ore, stands at about 50 meters with 207 steps. It’s a scenic climb featuring an old clock that still works. Find it at the corner of Via Fillungo and Via dell’Arancio.
Established in the 1800s, Lucca’s botanical garden features century-old trees, a lake with camellias and rhododendrons, and a germplasm bank. Open from 9 AM to 7:30 PM, tickets are €12 for a 35-40 minute visit.
A stroll on Lucca’s ancient walls is a must. Enjoy the tranquillity and shade under the holm oaks, or rent a rickshaw for a leisurely ride. The walls offer stunning views of the city and lead you to our next destination.
Explore the enchanting gardens and perfectly preserved interiors of Palazzo Pfanner, located at Via degli Asili 33. Known for its beer gardens, this palace features rose bushes, lemon trees, and a scenic fountain. Entry is €5.50.
Also known as Piazza Grande, this is the largest square in the city, named after Elisa Baciocchi, Napoleon’s sister. It’s a great place for a drink and houses the Palazzo Ducale.
Visit the San Michele in Foro Church, known for its Romanesque and Gothic facade, in Piazza San Michele. The square, located in the old Roman forum, is a must-see.
No visit to Lucca is complete without seeing the famous Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, built on the site of an ancient Roman amphitheater. The square is surrounded by bars and restaurants, making it a lively spot to relax.
About 15 km from Lucca, Montecarlo is a charming village known for its wine festival and historic towers. It’s a picturesque spot for wine lovers.
Visit Nozzano, a fortified village that hosts a medieval reenactment event, “Il Castello Rivive,” during the first weekend of September.
Explore beautiful villages like Borgo a Mozzano, known for the Devil’s Bridge, and Bagni di Lucca, a famous thermal center. Barga, another noteworthy village, is listed among the most beautiful in Italy.
Just a short distance from Lucca, in Capannori, you’ll find stunning villas like Villa Reale, Villa Grabau, Villa Oliva, Villa Torrigiani, and Villa Mansi. These villas boast fantastic gardens and host events like the summer jazz music festival at Villa Reale.
Versilia, famous for its sandy beaches and events like the Viareggio Carnival, includes towns like Forte dei Marmi, Pietrasanta, and Viareggio. Each offers a unique charm, from exclusive resorts to cultural hubs.
ExcellentBased on 63 reviewsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Jeremy Lewis14 September 2024Antonio proved a fantastic agent. Nothing was too much trouble and he was super communicative and responsive He picked great hotels in great locations and our trip round Sicily was faultless Would recommend 100%Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Jo Davison29 August 2024Antonio was very knowledgable and gave us some good tips. He helped create an itinerary and booked a hotel for us which we would never have known about without him. If you are looking to book a trip to Italy, Antonio is your guy!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Nina Soloway12 August 2024Thank you to Antonio for all the recommendations and ensuring that everything from hotels to transfers ran smoothly. Will definitely be in touch next time we plan to travel to Italy. Highly recommend.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Claire Hubbard30 June 2024We have just returned from a superb Southern Italy tour, organised expertly by Antonio. It exceeded our expectations and the communication was superb - both before and during the holiday. Antonio took time to understand what we enjoyed doing and provided information to enable us to get the most out of our time. The holiday was beyond words and we cannot be more grateful that we used Antonio and ExpertoItaly for our unforgettable holiday and would absolutely recommend.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Richard Tuthill30 June 2024Antonio arranged a fantastic Italian break for us in Tuscany. Very prompt always on hand to help and a nice guy. I highly recommend his services!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Kay James21 June 2024We had an amazing trip organised by Antonio, we visited Naples for a few days then stayed in Sant’ Agata. Both hotels had fabulous amenities and restaurants. The trip was effortless and everything was meticulously arranged. Antonio was also on had for anything we needed during the trip. I would definitely recommend Expert to Italy and we will definitely use this company again in the futureTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Steve Newiss17 June 2024My wife and I had an excellent 2 centre week in Sicily. Antonio's advice was invaluable, ensuring that we had a holiday that fully met/exceeded our expectations. In addition all the logistics went delivering an enjoyable stress free break!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Alex Pinnick16 June 2024An absolutely stunning holiday. Organised totally by Antonio. His attention to detail was exceptional. All the train journey, ferry and taxi's all went like clockwork. Even when our train was delayed he changed the ferry tickets. He chose the Botania Hotel in Ischia, the service was the best we've had anywhere. The island is so beautiful. Antonio also gave us a list of where to vist on the Island. Would definitely use Antonio again for our next visit to Italy or Sicily.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Terence Fuller3 June 2024Our booking to Florence was expertly carried out, everything was well organized. The airport collection went without a hitch, and the hotel selected for us by Antonio was fantastic, great location and just lovely. Would recommend him to everyone else thinking of traveling to Italy.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Beryl Read24 October 2023Fabulous holiday! Timing, accommodation, transfers all perfectly organised, with good recommendations for activities in each location. First class hotels matching wholly to our brief. Try the Amalfi Coast!
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