buongiorno

After our day trips are done and the car is parked, my wife likes strolling the streets of where we stay to shop (and shop and shop). If we pick Lucca as a base, will there be enough shopping to keep her happy?

ira

Hi B,

Lucca is a rather small town.

I don't recall much shopping.

Take her for a walk around the walls - much cheaper.

ekscrunchy

Yes there are some very nice shops in Lucca for women's clothing and home products. A shopper could be kept busy for a couple of hours at the end of the day. They do not have the big name shops such as Gucci, but there is a Max Mara and quite a few small shops offering a range of goods.

buongiorno

I seem to remember that Ira, but I haven't been to Lucca in 7 years. Reading the Touring Club of Italy guide it says Lucca has a population of 85,000 which makes it about the same size as Arezzo. Is most of the population not in the walled section?

buongiorno

Thanks Ek.

AlanM1

Spent the day in Lucca 2 weeks ago and actually found the shopping to be nice. It was our second time there and we found much more this time (when we were there a few years ago many shops were closed, I think it was a Monday). There is a great hardware store (decorative hardware) right on the main shopping street and a wonderful antique silver store as well as many other nice stores. I was told by many locals that Lucca is known for its sophistication and I would say that the shopping was a little better than most of the hill towns we visited. Ira is right, don't miss a walk on the wall, we did it at sunset and it was wonderful.

elaine

Someone here posted very recently that a lot of Lucca's shops close on weekday afternoons for a few hours for riposo
(siesta)

lmhornet

"Lucca is a rather small town.

I don't recall much shopping."

Yikes, I hate it when I have to agree with Mr. Nosey, but he is right. And what there you can find better elsewhere. Like I keep saying, Lucca isn't worth crossing the street for, let alone using up part of your trip.

AlanM1

Imhornet,

Not shy are we
Would love to know why the distaste for Lucca, it is not my favorite, but did enjoy it....

bussrsf

We loved our time in Lucca. We thought it had a wonderful ambiance, with great restaurants and great shopping. In my opinion, the shopping is much more substantial than other hill towns. It is not so much tourist shops as it is clothing, shoes, jewelry and antiques.

SassTraveler

Lucca is a darling small town, with enough small shops to keep your #1 busy for a day. The shop keepers are gracious and delighted you are there. (And it is great to get away from the tourist crowds you find in Florence).

Don't miss the hardware store near the old church. Great finds for the house! I specifically went back there last year to buy Murano glass cabinet knobs for my bathroom. (After kicking myself for passing on them the year before). The store also has some great brass signs for the house, li"ke Attenti Cane!"

bobthenavigator

I love Lucca--a real Tuscan town with real Tuscan shops and good ristorantes. I think you will like it.

sandi_travelnut

http://www.frommers.com/destinations...tID=2544010031

http://www.knowital.com/Towns/Lucca2...stidarte1.html

Mincepie

Lucca is one of my favourie towns. The last few times we have been there, there have been some unusual craft stands in the square..don't know if that is only on certain days and some interesting street markets.

Find Lucca a little hard to get into and we did get a parking ticket outside the walls last time!!

If you are there during the day...renting a bicycle and riding arond the walls is lovely..you can rent them by the hour. Very relaxing.