Stay in Lucca and visit Prato OR stay in Prato and visit Lucca?
Dec 8th, 2006, 12:52 AM
#1
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Stay in Lucca and visit Prato OR stay in Prato and visit Lucca?
I need your advice please! I am interested in art, architecture and history, so which of these two options would you recommend? I would be staying for 3/4 nights.
Thank you, Pam
Thank you, Pam
Dec 12th, 2006, 02:45 AM
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Any other views on this? It's just that I have a book about Renaissance art in Italy and there is quite a good sized section about the art in Prato but Lucca gets only a passing mention - hence my query! I know that generally speaking Lucca is a more "interesting" place that Prato to visit but this book has got me wondering!! Pam
Dec 12th, 2006, 08:43 AM
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I'm with Gloria on this one - LUCCA. Besides Prato, you will be in easy travel distance to Florence, Pisa, Viareggio, Le Cinque Terre, Carrara, Portovenere and so much more...Besides that, Lucca itself is fabulous!
Dec 19th, 2006, 11:00 PM
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am leaving on december 28 to spend a month at university campus in prato, a trip has been organised to lucca as the course include medieval history study i will be back early feb so can let you know how i find it when do you leave?
Dec 20th, 2006, 03:32 AM
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Hi woodsie
Lucky you! I hope you have a wonderful month. I shall be visiting in late July/early August - I suspect Lucca is a 'nicer' town to visit/stay in but there does seem to be quite a lot of art to see in Prato, hence my query!
I'd love to hear about your impressions when you get back - thank you, Pam
[email protected]
Lucky you! I hope you have a wonderful month. I shall be visiting in late July/early August - I suspect Lucca is a 'nicer' town to visit/stay in but there does seem to be quite a lot of art to see in Prato, hence my query!
I'd love to hear about your impressions when you get back - thank you, Pam
[email protected]
Dec 20th, 2006, 04:20 AM
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Very simple, stay in Lucca and visit Prato, Lucca is great town!!
Lucca - http://www.tuscanweb.com/news/?ID=189
Prato - http://www.tuscanweb.com/news/?ID=133
Lucca - http://www.tuscanweb.com/news/?ID=189
Prato - http://www.tuscanweb.com/news/?ID=133
Dec 20th, 2006, 04:27 AM
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I've not been in Prato, and while I think Lucca is extremely pleasant and the walls are especially nice, I don't think Lucca has a very compelling concentration of art and architecture. If it were me, I'd consider staying in Pisa and visiting Lucca.
Pammca, am I right in assuming you are going to Firenze? Why not stay there the whole time and visit the other places?
Pammca, am I right in assuming you are going to Firenze? Why not stay there the whole time and visit the other places?
Dec 20th, 2006, 04:52 AM
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Hello Nessundorma
I have already stayed in Florence, Siena and Pisa - next summer I'm visiting Tuscany, Umbria and Le Marche for 3 weeks and planning to stay in Urbino, Arezzo, Assisi, Siena (or San Gimignano) and Lucca or Prato. I love Renaissance art and architecture and would like to stay in places where I can see art during the day and then wander about in the evenings admiring the architecture (as well as doing day trips to other local towns). It's just interesting to hear of other people's impressions and opinions of places they have been to that I haven't - yet!
Pam
I have already stayed in Florence, Siena and Pisa - next summer I'm visiting Tuscany, Umbria and Le Marche for 3 weeks and planning to stay in Urbino, Arezzo, Assisi, Siena (or San Gimignano) and Lucca or Prato. I love Renaissance art and architecture and would like to stay in places where I can see art during the day and then wander about in the evenings admiring the architecture (as well as doing day trips to other local towns). It's just interesting to hear of other people's impressions and opinions of places they have been to that I haven't - yet!
Pam
Dec 20th, 2006, 04:59 AM
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Lucca is a great town to stay in. Streets lined with shops, no cars,etc.
Prato is a small town with almost no tourists. That has its pluses and minuses. Both have some interesting churches,history,etc.
IMHO, Pisa is the total opposite of Prato (although it's old section can be nice).
I love staying in Lucca. We went to an opera last time and enjoy staying right in the heart of the city.If you had a car and wanted to use one as a base to visit other areas,I'd pick Prato because it would be easier to get in and out of. If you plan on train travel,I'd stay in Lucca. Vibrant enough to keep you busy, "real" enough for byou to feel that you are in an Italian town and not a tourist trap.
I ,however,agree that Florence fits your description best.
Why not train into Rome for 4 nights?
Prato is a small town with almost no tourists. That has its pluses and minuses. Both have some interesting churches,history,etc.
IMHO, Pisa is the total opposite of Prato (although it's old section can be nice).
I love staying in Lucca. We went to an opera last time and enjoy staying right in the heart of the city.If you had a car and wanted to use one as a base to visit other areas,I'd pick Prato because it would be easier to get in and out of. If you plan on train travel,I'd stay in Lucca. Vibrant enough to keep you busy, "real" enough for byou to feel that you are in an Italian town and not a tourist trap.
I ,however,agree that Florence fits your description best.
Why not train into Rome for 4 nights?
Dec 20th, 2006, 05:50 AM
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Pammca,
If you've already been to those other major Tuscan citeis, cities, then the major difference with Lucca is its tranquility. There is not a lot of car traffic in its core. Although much of the historic architecture has been renovated many times over, it is atmospheric. Lots of elegant shops. It almost feels like a boutique! I had a car while I was there that I parked at the train station just outside the walls for 10 euro a day, but if you don't have a car, the train is quite convenient (although its better to stay on that said of town if you plan a lot of day trips by train).
I can't remember if Pistoia is on the train line, but it's another well-located possibility if your major focus in traveling is viewing art and architecture.
Given your stated inerests and preferences, I urge you to consider staying in Perugia for at least part of the time you are in Umbria.
If you've already been to those other major Tuscan citeis, cities, then the major difference with Lucca is its tranquility. There is not a lot of car traffic in its core. Although much of the historic architecture has been renovated many times over, it is atmospheric. Lots of elegant shops. It almost feels like a boutique! I had a car while I was there that I parked at the train station just outside the walls for 10 euro a day, but if you don't have a car, the train is quite convenient (although its better to stay on that said of town if you plan a lot of day trips by train).
I can't remember if Pistoia is on the train line, but it's another well-located possibility if your major focus in traveling is viewing art and architecture.
Given your stated inerests and preferences, I urge you to consider staying in Perugia for at least part of the time you are in Umbria.
Dec 21st, 2006, 10:32 AM
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I'd stay in Prato. It's closer to Pistoia and Florence where you'll also find great art. Lucca is pleasant but I'd stay closer to Florence. Of course, I happen to love Florence so maybe I'm biased.
