if you had a choice between visiting lucca or siena, which would you choose. please list your reason also. thanks for any info.

They're both beautiful, but I think I liked Siena better. If I had to list them that would be the order. If you do go to Lucca, go to ristorante Buca d' San Antonio!

Hi P,

Lucca is a lovely, quiet town for relaxing.

Siena has more in the way of art and architecture.

The Duomo floor is uncovered in Sept, I think.

Ira, thanks much ... good info. leaning toward lucca based on your info.

do you favor pearls or diamonds?

Lucca is a whole lot less touristed but both are true gems. Siena a hilltown, Lucca flat and known for its many towers.

In the hills just above Lucca, Colodi is known as Pinocchio's town. Montecatini-Terme a few kms away is one of the swankest spa towns in Europe.

Lucca lacks the "wow factor" of Siena. Siena's Duomo is truly superb, The torre di Mangia one of the most famous landmarks in Italy. Some find the narrow streets a little dark and unwelcoming, but I love Siena. As a base for exploring Tuscany, Siena is probably better as it has good transport links to Southern Tuscany (Motalcino, Montepulciano, San Gimignano etc).

Lucca is quieter, more relaxed with not quite the "hordes" of tourists that can ruin Siena on a busy day. There are galleries, churches (albeit less grand than Siena) and an incredible set of late medieval walls along which one can walk or cycle.

Impossible choice really - If I had the money to live in either, I would probably procrastinate for days before choosing Lucca (For it's atmosphere). If I were wanting to see "Historic Italy) , I'd go to Siena.

I'd say Siena wins the 'Wow Factor' hands down even though Lucca is very swell indeed.

thanks to all who took the time to reply. i'm wavering on this decision again ... to be "wow"ed or not !!