Transport yourself back in time in Lucca, a city brimming with historical monuments and cultural hotspots. In this Italian city, even trattorias promise to give you a taste of the past with their family recipes.

Follow along the Renaissance ramparts that snake around the city, discovering the bastions and gates that each have their own unique story to tell. From this unique vantage point, discover the transformation of these military fortifications into a tranquil escape from city life. In one of the many green spaces that line your route, take a moment to admire the lush canopy of towering trees and quaint cobblestone streets.

The picturesque fields and vineyards of Tuscany are best appreciated from above! Let us arrange for you to take to the skies in a helicopter and hover over the Mediaeval towns of Gimignano and Florence that sprawl out across this sea of green.

In Lucca, an epicentre of artistry, food is no exception. Learn the art of Italian cuisine, where simplicity reigns and local produce shines. Master the local dishes such as ribollita, a hearty soup, or bistecca alla fiorentina, a specially prepared t-bone steak, in your private cooking class to amaze at your next dinner party!

In a nutshell
Cooking class/ Italian cuisine

Surprise awaits at the top of this 14th-century tower, where every step of the steep ascent takes you closer to the unexpected. At the summit of this Romanesque-Gothic tower, discover a secret garden flourishing against the backdrop of antiquity. In this oasis you can catch your breath only for it to be taken away again by the spectacular views of Lucca sprawling out in front of you.

Style, freedom, La Dolce Vita. Nothing embodies this Italian dream more than the image of sailing through the infinite stretches of green fields in Tuscany on a Vespa. Venture into the heart of the lush countryside, where olive groves and rustic farmhouses pepper the green landscape, as the gold and crimson sunset gilds the Tuscan skies.

Retreat to your sanctuary in Montecarlo Village, cocooned in Lucca’s idyllic emerald hills. The DOC Montecarlo winemaking region earns its stellar reputation and is the perfect pairing for the culinary delights served in the quaint trattorias scattered around the region.

Carrara is an epicentre of artistic heritage, where every corner is a testament to the creatives who have drawn inspiration from its natural splendour. Nestled at the foot of marble-rich mountains, this city has been a magnet for artists and artisans for centuries. Explore the abundant marble reserves that have given birth to awe-inspiring masterpieces, ranging from grandiose cathedrals to stately statues.

Follow in the footsteps of royalty and discover the allure of Forte dei Marmi’s golden shores. In this spectacular region, let the timeless melody of the waves set the soundtrack to your Tuscan retreat. Once proudly defending the region against attacks, in the fortress you can now chuckle at the jokes on display in the Museum of Satire and Caricature.

Nestled at the foot of the Apuan Alps, step into a time machine during your stay in Camaiore. In this enchanting Mediaeval town, the city's Roman origins are evident in its architectural marvels, where ancient basilicas and parish churches stand as a testament to its deep-rooted history.

Standing in the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, you can feel the throbbing pulse of the city. Layers of history build on top of each other, from its Roman origins as an amphitheatre to its 6th-century fortifications and its 19th-century modifications. Its architecture narrates the tale of a trailblazing city at the forefront of culture and commerce. Feel the presence of history sipping your coffee at one of the many cafés dotting around this technicolour piazza. 

The Cathedral of San Martino is the culmination of centuries of devotion and craftsmanship. With construction believed to have started in 588 and concluded in 1637, marvel at these era-spanning artistic and architectural movements singing in harmony. A triumph of Romanesque architecture, its white, pink, and green marble facade is adorned with intricate bas-reliefs that echo tales from the past.

As if frozen in amber, step into one of the most grandiose aristocratic homes in Lucca. Here, the stone and architecture tell you the story of Lucca’s silk-producing past and of the Mansi family, with its weaving workshop the ultimate immersion in this time capsule. Marvel at the ornate frescoes and Flemish tapestries peering down at you or the flickering candlelight dancing on the walls of the chapel.

The terroir of Lucca gives birth to world-renowned wineries such as Fattoria del Teso, Tenuta di Valgiano, and Podere Concori. On your guided tour and tasting adventure, snake through the ancient barrels and then head outside to savour their fruits surrounded by pine and cypress trees. Savour the notes of the whites and reds that speak of Lucca’s vicinity to the sea and delightfully mild climate.

After an action-packed day ticking off Lucca’s cultural hotspots, stop off at Pasticceria Taddeucci to satisfy your sweet tooth. We would recommend their signature bake, buccellato, although beware that after a single bite of this secret recipe, you will want to make your Lucca holidays an annual tradition!

Pasticceria Taddeucci
Piazza San Michele, 34, 55100 Lucca

Buca DI Sant’Antonio not only has the Michelin guide’s stamp of approval but also the endorsement of the diners who have frequented this restaurant for centuries. A pillar of the Tuscan culinary scene from at least 1782, it honours traditions that have been flourishing from time immemorial. Take a seat under the old copper pots dangling from the ceiling and savour their handmade pasta and meat-based dishes.

Cantine Bernardini seeks to honour the region’s rich terroir while offering their own innovative and gourmet twist. The result? Their vision of ‘artisanal cuisine’ promises to take you on a gustatory journey, with dishes such as paccheri pasta and white fish ragout adorned with olives, oregano and courgette.

Sepia photos framed on the wall, a chalkboard proudly listing the day’s specials and a menu that boasts of simple Tuscan dishes. At Pizzeria da Felice, each generation has been taught by their elders the art of kneading the dough and commanding the wood-fire oven that glows in the corner of this family-run pizzeria.

The menu at Gli Orti di Via Elisa evolves with the seasons yet their commitment to high quality and local ingredients is constant. Their exquisite dishes take inspiration from flavour combinations perfected over centuries such as the cod paired with chickpeas or their signature pizza, for which the dough is patiently left to prove for 30 hours.

Whether your little ones are traditionalists or adventurous foodies, Lucca’s artisanal gelaterias offer cool oases under the golden Italian sun. Lining the streets of Lucca, inside a world of delight awaits, from the nutty velvet of pistachio to the pure decadence of rich chocolate. 

Pici, pappardelle, tortelli. Each pasta shape has its own distinct personality, from the elegant pici gleaming in its coat of tomato and garlic sauce, to the humble pappardelle that provides the canvas for the wild boar ragu to shine. Discover these generational secrets and the technique of pasta fatta a mano, making pasta by hand. It’s like having access to the family recipe book, where each successor has added their hand-scribbled notes in the margins.

Lay out your picnic blanket surrounded by mesmerising natural beauty in Lucca’s botanical garden. Let the rustling leaves of centuries-old plants and chirping birds set the soundtrack to your lunch feast. With local delicacies forming a tableau of tantalising treats, make sure to save room for a gelato sweet treat afterwards!

Mount your two-wheeled chariots and pedal along the historic ramparts of the Lucca Wall. With the breeze rustling through your helmet, marvel at the flashes of green that pass by, taking a moment to stop at one of the many parks en route before the last leg of your journey.

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Take to the roads in a vintage car 

Discover the secrets of Lucca on a guided tour

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Kissed by the Mediterranean sun, Lucca is an Italian dream during summer. With temperatures varying from 32°C to 16°C, you can spend the days sightseeing and then retreat back to the cool waters of your swimming pool in one of our luxury villas.

Things to do in Italy in June
Things to do in Italy in July
Things to do in Italy in August

Autumn in Lucca offers the perfect combination of fewer crowds and delightfully mild weather. Wine lovers rejoice for it’s the ideal time during harvest to explore the nearby vineyards, tasting their vintages.

Things to do in Italy in September
Things to do in Italy in October
Things to do in Italy in November

Lucca is utterly charming all year round and the colder months are no exception. Although you might have to don an extra layer, the ever-mild weather means that treks through the countryside and days rambling through museums are still on the agenda.

Things to do in Italy in December
Things to do in Italy in January
Things to do in Italy in February

Emerge from your winter hibernation and look forward to warmer days in Lucca, where the Mediterranean sun basks the idyllic landscape in its warm glow. With average maximum temperatures peaking around 24°C, avoid the summer hoards and the intense summer heat this spring in Lucca.

Things to do in Italy in March
Things to do in Italy in April
Things to do in Italy in May