Getting There

Tuscany is no stranger to tourists so getting to this region from almost anywhere in the world is pretty straightforward. The closest airport to the city of Lucca is Pisa International Airport which is also only 30 minutes from Versilia, the Tuscany coast.

There is also Amerigo Vespucci Airport (also called Peretola Airport) in Florence, meaning you can reach the region’s major cities without any trouble at all.

Book your flights in advance and you may be able to get some amazing cheap flight deals too. For further information about flights from the UK and Europe, see:

• www.easyjet.com
• www.ryanair.com
• www.ba.com
• www.jet2.com
• www.thomsonfly.com
• www.tuifly.com
• www.skyscanner.co.uk

Getting Around

Lucca has its own train station which makes it the perfect base for visiting Florence and the rest of Tuscany. The train station is right outside the southern walls, with an entrance below the balcony of San Colombano that brings you right behind Lucca’s cathedral and into the heart of the small walled town.

One of best ways to explore the city of Lucca and see if from a different perspective is to cycle the city walls. On the coast – one of popular ways to travel around is also by bicycle. We will happily recommend some local rental companies. 

Whilst the area has plenty of options for public transport we do recommend hiring a car to give you the freedom of being able to explore further afield. There are a number of car rental companies and you can pick up and drop off at the two international airports in Florence and Pisa. Fast trains link up the larger cities such as Florence, Pisa, Siena, Lucca and Grosseto whilst slower trains link up the smaller towns. www.trenitalia.it for timetables. Lucca has a 24 hour taxi service.

Weather

The summer season begins in April and lasts until October, with temperatures reaching 30°C and more during the hottest periods. High summer (July and August) can be extremely hot, humid and crowded so if you’re looking for a more relaxed trip, try visiting Tuscany during the low season. The low season is between November and March where temperatures are much cooler. Not only will popular parts of Tuscany be less crowded but you won’t be caught out by peak prices on travel and transport either. If you want to catch the first weeks of summer without getting caught up in the tourist rush, we would recommend flying to Tuscany in April and early May. Temperature highs could be up to 28°C during these months, making it a glorious time to visit.

Regional Food & Wine

Tuscany is recognised worldwide for its food and wine excellence. So needless to say, you won’t have a bad food experience when holidaying in this region of Italy. The secret to its culinary success lies in its history of “Cucina Povera”, or what we might call “poor cooking”. And this just proves that in many cases, simplicity is better. The concept of inexpensive food, unfussy flavours and the freshest ingredients makes Tuscan cuisine one of the finest in the world. If you want food cooked with honesty, prepared and served in a traditional way, look no further than the stunning region of Tuscany.

Around Lucca, there are numerous little towns you can visit for their hilltop views and unchanged traditions – it is here that you are likely to taste some of the best traditional Tuscan farye that Italy has to offer

To experience the full flavour of the land – we recommend that you visit at least one of the vineyards and olive groves along the Strade del Vino

The products truly are representatives of the “terroir” found in Montecarlo and Lucca: a combination of the nearness to the sea, and the mountains create the distinctive flavor of these DOC wines. The Lucca Hills DOC Wine -Also knowns as Colline Lucchesi DOC Wine; In the hills just outside of the city center of Lucca, you will find several vineyards with their own special signature productions: Rosso DOC, Bianco DOC wine, and vin santo, as well as a delicious DOP extra virgin olive oil, said to feature a “fruity, basically sweet taste and pungent, bitter sensations.”

Tuscan Dishes to Try

Tuscany is truly “foodie heaven” and you’ll be hard pressed to find a bad eatery anywhere. Lucca is also a foodies paradise – You can Appreciate the charms of Lucca and its Renaissance history through sampling its traditional cuisine. Look out for these local dishes on your visit!

Tortelli Lucchese is one of the most popular dishes in Lucca that is similar to meat ravioli

Zuppa di Farro is an amazing local Tuscan bowl of soup with farro(emmer), beans and seasonal vegetables.

Pasinata – Traditionally eaten on Easter Sunday this sweet bread dessert is made with aniseed and raisins

For delicious and affordable street food (found in major cities such as Florence) we would recommend Lampredotto which is tripe often served in a bun or the various pizza stands you will find around the cities. In restaurants, order Panzanella (cold bread salad) or Crostini Toscani to start – or try something more filling such as Cacciucco (fish stew) or the famous Florentine Steak. There are also some great regional cakes such as Castagnaccio (chestnut cake), Buccellato (fig cake) or Cantucci, which are perfect as an afternoon snack or for finishing off a meal.

Famous Wines of Lucca, Tuscany

To experience the full flavour of the land – we recommend that you visit at least one of the vineyards and olive groves along the Strada del Vino

The products truly are representatives of the “terroir” found in Montecarlo and Lucca: a combination of the nearness to the sea, and the mountains create the distinctive flavor of these DOC wines. The Lucca Hills DOC Wine -Also knowns as Colline Lucchesi DOC Wine; In the hills just outside of the city center of Lucca, you will find several vineyards with their own special signature productions: Rosso DOC, Bianco DOC wine, and vin santo, as well as a delicious DOP extra virgin olive oil, said to feature a “fruity, basically sweet taste and pungent, bitter sensations.”

Versiliana festival, Versilia (July & August)

Festival of art and culture in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Puccini opera festival, Torre del Lago (July & August)

Held each year around July and August. So keep a close eye on these festivals if you are traveling in Tuscany during the summer months.

Lucca Summer Festival, Lucca (June, July & August)

A musical event attended by famous artists from all over the world. Elton John, Diana Krall, Bryan Adams, The Killers, Norah Jones, Oasis, Simply Red have all played in the past.

Luminara di Pisa, Pisa, (June)

16 June begins the festivities to honour Saint Ranieri, the patron saint of Pisa, the following day, June 17. Over 70,000 candles light up the palaces along the Arno river, with a fireworks display afterwards.

Carnavale, Viareggio (January)

Carnavale is a lively event which brings locals together to celebrate and indulge in delicious food before the start of Lent. The carnival celebrations take place in the city of Viareggio and include pageants and parades, flower shows, fireworks – and of course, plenty of food and wine.