Any suggestions on your favorite places to stay, eat, & things to do in Lucca? Will most likely not have a car. I'll be there in mid-Feb. for my 40th! Thanks for any suggestions.<BR><BR>andrea

HELLO ANDREA, We love Lucca---a real Tuscan town without the hordes. Go to the site at www.knowital.com for a wide selection of accommodations. In Oct. we stayed at Villa Romantica---more of a B&B just outside the walls, but still close enough to walk into town. A good place with a car--hard to park in town.<BR>Be sure to eat at Buca San Antonio, my favorite place in Lucca. The Il Giglio is also good. You will need res at both. Try to drive north one day via the Devils Bridge and on to Barga and Castelnuovo Gargfagnana for the best of the local scenery. Oops--you said you will not have a car. If not, try the Piccolo Puccini in town for good value.<BR>Good luck--Lucca is the real thing.

There are frequent and cheap buses to Barga and Castelnuovo from Lucca bus stop (about 5 minutes walk from Piccolo Puccini,I stayed there 3 nights last Feb.). Barga is an nice old town, the view from the church on top of the hill is truly breathtaking.<BR><BR>In Lucca,don't miss walking on the walls,It seemed to me every morning and late afternoon, the whole town were out there walking, biking and socializing.<BR><BR>Besides all the museums and tower,the central market is interesting to visit in weekday mornings.<BR><BR>

We stayed at Il Ciocco (a resort) in the mountains near Lucca. One highlight was a hike up the highest mountain there with view to the ocean and Pisa (there is a mountain cabin run by the Italian Alpine Club). Our friends stayed in Lucca at Palazzo Alexander, which they highly recommended.

Check the following sites: http://www.linketto.it/<BR>http://www.luccaonline.it/alloggiare.html<BR>At il Giglio order all the soups for the first plate.You will be given four small bowls of soup each one better than the last.<BR>

I help to run the site that Bob recommended (thanks for that) and thought I'd mention the Viareggio carnival (try http://www.viareggio.ilcarnevale.com/) - perhaps not for everyone, but certainly the biggest event in the area at that time - and easy to reach by train. Buon Anno, Mat.

For a place to stay within the walls, I'd recommend Albergo San Martino, just around the corner from Piazza San Martino. It's a small hotel, recently renovated.

Stayed in Lucca for two nights this past October, and enjoyed it very much. My hotel was the Palazzo Alexander - within the walls. Very attractive, excellent buffet breakfast, attentive service from the desk.<BR><BR>I've enjoyed eating at Da Guillio a couple of times, and had a great dinner another night at a place recommended by the hotel staff - Trattoria da Leo. The house specialty is pollo fitto (fried chicken!) and it is absolutely delicious, as are the fritto misto of vegetables that come with it. Great family atmosphere.<BR><BR>To do: Walk the walls. See some of the churches, and the Roman ampitheater. See the Palazzo Mansi - I had it all to myself, and it is quite lovely inside! The interior of the Palazzo Pfanner is less impressive, but the gardens are pretty (though you can also see them from the walls.)

Buca SanAntonio is absolutely a great plaCE TO EAT. Great food and vino.

Andrea: Second Buca di Sant'Antonio and Il Giglio and add da Leo, a small, unpretentious restaurant with outstanding food just off the <BR>piazza del Mercato (locals will recommend this restaurant when asked). Be careful not to go to da Guglio (sounds like il Giglio). Very uneven food and surly waiters. Try to get up to Garfagna. Rent a car if you can. Markets in small villages along the way. At Castlenuovo, there is a family restaurant at the top of the hill in the town center and opposite the Church. Name escapes me, but we had a wonderful late lunch there. It was packed with locals. <BR>The white limestone Romanesque Duomo at Barga, St. Christopher's, is huge and beautiful. Some parts date from the 900's. And, of course, you must take a picture at the apex of Devil's Bridge.<BR>In Lucca, do the walls for sure; once in the morning or late afternoon for touring. Then spend some time at night when everyone is out. Wandering Lucca at night is also great fun. Great gelato!<BR>

Buongiorno everyone! A genuine thank you to those who responded to my Lucca post with such thorough tips & suggestions. Don't hear as much about Lucca as other destinations in Italy, so it was wonderful to get such wonderful, positive feedback & hear how much you all enjoyed your stay.<BR><BR>Knowital.com & Linketto.it are GREAT websites. Mat, good job; I love the 'watercolor' effect. Fabulous info from both. Was able to find out that there will be a ballet and possibly a classical concert right around the time of my birthday! Based on thier website, the Pallazzo Alexander looks dreamy. Decisions, decisions......<BR>Life is good.....happy travels.....ciao!

I believe there are also concerts in the churches year round, although I'm not certain.