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Located on the Serchio River just above the more famous Pisa, Lucca is a prime example of a Renaissance Tuscan city, though it does share much of the history of the Etruscan-founded mediaeval cities of the region.

Lucca may be best known as the birthplace of Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, who famously penned both La Boheme and Madama Butterfly. The Casa de Puccini was his summer home and today houses a museum dedicated to his legacy. Each summer, it also hosts an opera festival. Beyond this musical heritage, Lucca’s Renaissance walls are remarkably well-preserved, surrounding on all sides by a charming cobblestone centre. A stroll or cycle along the ramparts is easy and enjoyable with wide, tree-lined paths topping the walls. Other town attractions include the Ducal Palace, the Orto Botanico Comunale di Lucca, and a number of mediaeval churches.

About 80 kilometres west of Florence, Lucca is connected to Tuscany’s by both train and bus. Rides take from 90 minutes to about two hours. Those who prefer to drive can reach Lucca in as little as one hour and 15 minutes.

While many of its landmarks, including the city walls, have their origins in the Renaissance, Lucca does have Roman roots. In fact, it is one of the most important Tuscan cities in Roman history, as this was the site where Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus solidified themselves as the First Triumvirate.