In the morning we will drive to Lucca, a town encircled by perfectly preserved Renaissance era walls. Our local guide will lead us on a walk through the centro storico, historic centre, introducing us to some of Lucca’s unique features: the elliptical town square, the 13thcentury façade of San Michele in Foro basilica, and the Torre Guinigi tower with its roof-top garden. Inside Lucca’s cathedral we will see the intricately sculpted tomb of Ilaria del Carretto, created by Jacopo della Quercia in 1406.
Lucca was the birthplace of the composer Puccini. This evening there is the opportunity to attend a short performance (1 hour, beginning at 7pm) of some of his arias and duets at Lucca’s Permanent Puccini Festival. Tickets cost €20 and can be purchased at our hotel.
Alternatively, you may wish to book one of the hotel’s free bicycles and ride around the Renaissance walls of Lucca. This 4.2 km ride is paved, wide and flat, along a car free, tree lined route.
Dinner will be in a typical Tuscan trattoria, at 8.15pm.
Total drive time today: 1 hour 30 minutes.
Accommodation: Hotel Ilaria (4-star), Lucca. www.hotelilaria.com/en/
Address: 26 Via del Fosso.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner.
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