Lucca - worth an overnight stay?
Aug 24th, 2004 | 08:11 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Aug 2004
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Lucca - worth an overnight stay?
My husband and I will be in Italy for 10days, end of Sept/beg of October. 1st trip for both of us. We are planning on seeing Pisa/Lucca - staying overnight at a B&B in Lucca and then going to Siena where we will spend the night at Palazzo di Valli. We chose to spend the night at each place instead of daytripping, so we could get a better feel for these towns. Is Pisa and Lucca worth a day? I know Pisa is just a "tourist trap" but I would hate to not go see the Leaning Tower when we are so close. Lucca seems beautiful, and we like the idea of being able to bike around the town and on the wall surrounding Lucca. Any input would be appreciated! I would love to hear from those who have been to Lucca and what you thought. Otherwise, we may just daytrip here and add a night in Siena, or maybe add a night in Rome at the end of our trip. Thanks!
Aug 24th, 2004 | 10:05 PM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,155
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tennisgirl,
If you click on my name you will find a trip report that includes Lucca (also Pisa and Siena). I am really against one night stops but I also really liked Lucca. Since Siena is one of my favorite towns I wouls suggest two days in Siena.
If you click on my name you will find a trip report that includes Lucca (also Pisa and Siena). I am really against one night stops but I also really liked Lucca. Since Siena is one of my favorite towns I wouls suggest two days in Siena.
Aug 31st, 2004 | 06:59 PM
#4
Joined: May 2003
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My family (husband, wife, 11 and 8-year olds) just came back from a week in Tuscany, and we did daytrips to a lot of places, including Siena, Lucca, Pisa, Sam Gimignano, Florence and Forte de Marmi. We scheduled a free day at the end of the week, and all four of us unanimously chose to go back to Lucca. The biking, shopping, sights and atmosphere were all just so special. It was by far our favorite place in Italy.
Aug 31st, 2004 | 07:09 PM
#5
Joined: Jan 2003
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We enjoyed Lucca for two nights, and yes, it is charming at night and worth an overnight.
By the way, we've also spend a couple nights in Pisa. I strongly suspect that the vast majority of people who call it a tourist trap did not see any of the city except the block or two around the leaning tower. No wonder they have that impression. If you get away from there, it is a vibrant and most interesting city -- in fact one of the least touristy cities I've ever stayed at in Italy (except of course for that couple of blocks around the tower).
By the way, we've also spend a couple nights in Pisa. I strongly suspect that the vast majority of people who call it a tourist trap did not see any of the city except the block or two around the leaning tower. No wonder they have that impression. If you get away from there, it is a vibrant and most interesting city -- in fact one of the least touristy cities I've ever stayed at in Italy (except of course for that couple of blocks around the tower).
