LUCCA: heritage and tourist attractions:
LUCCA is one of the most beautiful towns of Tuscany and it is only 15 minutes drive far from Montecarlo. It is very famous for its perfectly preserved town walls, for its churches and important monuments, such as the S. Martino Cathedral, S. Michele and S. Frediano Churches, the Amphiteatre Square, Guinigi Tower and Clock Tower (from where you can enjoy a wonderful view of Lucca plain). Via Fillungo is the most crowded street, well known for its elegant shops. In Porta Giannoti, just inside the city centre, it is possible to hire bicycles and ride around the walls (the round is about 4 kms), among trees and ancient ruins. Lucca has a monthly antiques market (on the 3rd Saturday/Sunday of each month) and an ordinary market twice a week (Wednesday and Saturday morning). During the month of September there is a village fair, and just outside the city centre there is an amusement park. The typical cake of Lucca is called 'Buccellato'. Its oil is excellent and its wine is superb...
OTHER CITIES OF TUSCANY:
From Casa Bellavista you may easily reach many other places of interest, such as FLORENCE,an important city of art, only 40 minutes drive from Lucca. There you can visit: the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Churches, Piazzale Michelangelo, Viale dei Colli, Uffizi Museum, Ponte Vecchio and 'Lungarno', the way beside Arno river, where you can find lots of stalls and buy souvenirs. PISA is about 30 minutes drive far and a one-day stay in Pisa could include a visit to the world-famous Piazza dei Miracoli, with its extraordinary monuments: the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Churchyard and the Leaning Tower. SIENA is about 1 hour's drive away. It is very famous for its 'Palio' (horses' ride) and Chianti wine. Its medieval streets are narrow and each 'Contrada' has its own church. There you can see: Piazza del Campo, the Cathedral, the Fortezza Medicea. Very near to Siena you can find the so called 'pearl of Tuscany', the medieval village of SAN GIMIGNANO, well known for its 'Vernaccia' wine.
SURROUNDINGS...:
GARFAGNANA region is for sure worth a visit during your stay in Lucca area ! The most well known towns of Lucca northern area are Borgo a Mozzano, Barga, Castelnuovo Garfagnana, Bagni di Lucca, Vagli and the very fine ski resort of Abetone (between Lucca and Pistoia). The route to Garfagnana takes 1-2 hours drive, depending on the destination; the roads are very good and localities well indicated. In Garfagnana area you can discover unspoilt ancient rural villages and taste the delicious flavours of Tuscan typical cuisine.
Another very nice trip I recommend during your stay in Lucca is VERSILIA, an elegant seaside resort offering kilometers of sandy beaches (Viareggio, Lido di Camaiore, Marina di Pietrasanta, Forte dei Marmi), shops, restaurants, bars and evening entertaining places. Viareggio hosts a well known carnival in February. For all who are interested in making a longer tour along the coast, I recommend visiting Le Cinque Terre, Lerici and Portovenere, in the near Liguria
Other Activities:
Relaxing strolls along pleasant countryside lanes, restaurants where to taste local cuisine, ancient monuments, Pinocchio park for children
