Tuscany has a number of towns with World Heritage listed centres, but there's something about Lucca which charms beyond its handsome piazzas, and for that reason our Gurus recommend that instead of just passing through, you book into one of the best places to stay in Lucca. Lucca’s accommodation options include beautifully converted historic palazzo, elegant townhouses-turned-boutique-hotels, country villas on the outskirts of town surrounded by vineyards, and small B&Bs created from apartments within historic mansions.
Lucca is only 20 minutes from Pisa, and about 45 minutes from Florence, so you might opt to reverse the day trip trend and book into one of the best places to stay in Lucca, and then take day trips to the other centres — or spend a few nights in each. To enjoy Lucca at its best get out and explore on foot; stroll the cobbled streets and Renaissance-era walls, stopping every now and then at an historic bar or cafe to watch the world waft gently by!
Lucca’s surrounds are worth exploring too. Nestled into the hills behind the city are beautiful villas, some of them now also converted into hotels and on our Gurus’ list of the best places to stay in Lucca, and the belle époque era spa so loved by local boy, Puccini. He is, unsurprisingly, performed a lot here, especially during the summer, and there are a number of regular festivals to look out for.