Lucca and its historic walls

A must-see is a visit to the beautiful city of Lucca. The best way to admire it is to observe it from the top going up on its historic walls, once a defense tool from the fiery cannon vents, today a large public park planted with trees of four and a half kilometers that embraces the whole historic center in a bean shape. Visiting Lucca means following a narrow medieval alley or an ancient Roman road, stopping in the shadow of the facade of San Michele in foro or walking under the colored marble arches of the Cathedral of San Martino. A city that is told with the oval houses of Piazza Anfiteatro, with city gates and its towers.

 

Like the Torre delle Ore, which for centuries has marked the hours of the citizens of Lucca and the Guinigi Tower, from its top under the shade of the holm oaks it is possible to admire the great portrait, painted from bricks, tiles, trees and marbles, of Lucca.

 

What to do in Lucca:

• A tour of the bicycle walls
• A souvenir photo in Piazza Anfiteatro
• A slice of Pizza with a cut of "spuma" in the historic pizzerias of Lucca
• A taste of the typical Lucca dessert: the Buccellato
• An aperitif in Piazza S. Michele In Foro
• Go up the Guinigi tower to see the whole city
• A visit to the three most beautiful churches: S. Frediano, S. Martino and S. Michele
• In July, inside the city walls, an evocative international musical appointment with the "Summer Festival"
• The "Settembre Lucchese" with its traditional ceremonies and the Murabilia gardening market exhibition
• End of October, beginning of November opens the world of comics in every city square with the event: Lucca Comics and Games

Pisa, the city with the Leaning Tower

A fundamental stop for those visiting Tuscany.
It is known across the world for its famous "Leaning Tower" (or bell tower of Santa Maria) which with its 55 meters high and its characteristic 4-degree inclination, stands out from 1173 in the famous Piazza dei Miracoli, declared by Unesco, "heritage of humanity".
Pisa has a thousand-year history that reached its peak in the age of the Maritime Republics, a period that allowed the city center to become a true treasure trove of art.
Moving away from Piazza dei Miracoli (Piazza Duomo) and moving through alleys and riversides, architectural jewels like Santa Maria della Spina, the Palazzo dè Medici, the Church of S.Francesco (where the remains of Count Ugolino are located) and the headquarters of the Normal School in Piazza dei Cavalieri. The best time to visit the city is certainly the month of June, during which you can admire its famous Luminara, the Palio di San Ranieri, the Gioco del Ponte and the suggestive Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics.

 

What to do in Pisa:

• Visit Piazza dei Miracoli with its religious monuments: La Torre, the Duomo, the Baptistery and the Campo Santo.
• Walk on the "Lungarni".
• Visit Piazza dei Cavalieri.
• Shopping in Borgo narrow and Borgo Largo
• Visit to the Botanical garden (3 minutes walk from Piazza del Duomo)
• Taste the "Cecina" and the "Torta Co 'Bischeri"

Ripafratta, la Rocca

Ripafratta is an old village with little inhabited area dominated by a mighty fortress that for centuries has marked the border between Lucca and Pisa, protecting the road and river communication routes between the two cities that were bitter enemies in medieval times. The construction of the Rocca San Paolino overlooking the town at an altitude of 89 meters dates back to the 12th century under the Pisan dominion. On the left of the river there are the Centino Tower and the the Niccolai Tower. On the right there are the ruins of the Eagle Tower and the Segata Tower, which constituted a complex defensive system of which the fortress is the center, creating a barrier to the road and the river.

 

In June, the "Salviamo la rocca" association, under the patronage of the Municipality of San Giuliano Terme, organizes 3 days of festivities with free excursions, tasting menus and markets, hosting soldiers' encampments for the evocation of medieval battles.

Nozzano Castello

At 3 km from us, on the opposite bank of the Serchio river, in the Lucca area, there is the village of Nozzano, grown around the small and charming medieval castle destroyed and rebuilt several times during the struggles between the two cities. The fortified village of Nozzano Castello is situated in the crown of a rocky relief overlooking the river bank of Lucca. It is possible to visit the castle by contacting the pro-loco Association: 0583-548014 / 3403782478/3772337858 In the first days of September it hosts the event of historical re-enactment "The castle lives again" and the whole village is transformed: the inhabitants stroll in medieval clothes while guests can enjoy the performances of street artists, eat and shop at stalls using coins specially minted by the Lucca Mint.

 

The Garfagnana and its beauties

History, nature and legend come together in this land of spectacular and evocative landscapes. Located in the province of Lucca, between the Apuan Alps and Versilia,Garfagnana is an area rich of medieval villages, perched castles, ancient fortresses and romantic churches, but also natural reserves, deep caves and breathtaking views. With its many attractions, the Garfagnino area can satisfy the needs of all types of travelers, from the most sporty to the art and culture lover or good food. Among the steps not to be missed when crossing the Garfagnana, we definitely have the medieval Fortress of the Verrucole where the famous Ariosto stayed, the reserve of the Orecchiella Park, the city of Barga which hosted Giovanni Pascoli, Castelnuovo di Garfagnana with its Rocca Ariostesca , the legendary Devil's Bridge, the spectacular limestone gorge of the Orrido di Botri and much,much more to discover ...

 

What to do in Garfagnana:

• Visit the village of San Romano and the medieval fortress of Verrucole
• Visit the village of San Romano and the medieval fortress of Verrucole
• Stage in Barga, city of Giovanni Pascoli and admire the famous Romanesque cathedral
• Visit Castelnuovo di Garfagnana with its mighty fortress dating back to the 12th century
• Visit Gallicano, a village rich in medieval and Renaissance finds
• Go along an itinerary in the Grotta del Vento, to discover its depths
• Go up to the Devil's Bridge in Borgo a Mozzano, built in the 14th century
• Arrive at the Hermitage of Calomini, almost entirely excavated in the rock
• Admire the "Annunciation" by Andrea della Robbia in Pieve Fosciana
• Excursion to the Orrido di Botri, among the limestone rocks carved by the course of the water.

Visit to the San Rossore Park

Visiting the Tenuta di San Rossore, located today within the Regional Park of Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli, means traveling through history, nature and art. The Estate was first owned by the King of Italy, then passed from 1956 to 1999 to the President of the Italian Republic and finally to the Tuscany Region. For tourists and visitors, the Tenuta organizes many excursions on foot, by train, by bus, by bicycle, with a romantic carriage and finally by horse. The journey develops along the fascinating paths in the wood reaching the sea of the wild coast! For more info http://www.parcosanrossore.org/iti-san-rossore.php

Marina di Vecchiano

Marina di Vecchiano is situated along a pristine sandy coast north of the mouth of the Arno in the heart of the Migliarino San Rossore and Massaciuccoli Natural Park. The beach stretches for 4 km from the mouth of the Serchio to Lago Puccini Tower and is protected in the hinterland by the Macchia di Migliarino plunging into a dune ecosystem of rare beauty. Modern and welcoming structures occupy some portions of the beach to offer comfort and peace, without however visually interfering with the surrounding natural landscape. Marina di Vecchiano is a great compromise for those who love nature and long walks to discover the secrets of the coast, but at the same time do not want to give up the comforts of the city. It is possible in fact to make excursions along the sea, on foot or on horseback in any season of the year.

La Versilia

Versilia is a strip of coast that extends for about 20 km from the San Rossore Park to the Apuan Alps. It has been known since the 60s for the presence of numerous famous people that populated its long beaches of fine sand but also for its holiday resorts, from the exclusive Forte dei Marmi, symbol of worldliness with its villas surrounded by greenery, shops and famous nightclubs such as the legendary La Capannina di Franceschi nightclub, in Viareggio, Marina di Pietrasanta and Lido di Camaiore. Very popular with families due to its sandy beaches that gradually enter the sea. It is possible to use bathing establishments or free beaches. For lovers of bikes and trekking, note the long bike path that starts in Viareggio and reaches Marina di Massa!

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