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Visits Lucca - Half & One day
Program 1 An itinerary on foot to visit the Classic Monuments of Lucca
Approx. 5 hours
Departure from Hotel: h. 8,00/8,30
Available in the following languages: English - French - Italian - Spanish - German - Russian - Arabic
Visits:
Lucca is a Roman city, and then extremely important in the turbulent life of the Middle Ages, it developed an individual style of Romanesque architecture derived, with a refinement permitted to it by the abundance of marble from nearby Carrara, from that of Lombardy. The marriage of Romanesque architecture and marble produced, in fact, the richness of ornament, sculptures, loggias, galleries, and capitals which was to characterize Pisan and Lucchese architecture.
The old city is enclosed by the impressive circuit of its ancient Walls, from which one may enjoy magnificent views of the city with its belfries and towers. We come to the square where the 13th century Cathedral stands, with its three orders of treading and numerous sculptures, the most important being the group of San Martino and the Beggar on the facade. Inside, rich in works of art from all periods, are the notable Tomb of llaria del Carretto by Jacopo della Ouercia, an altar by Giambologna, and a Last Supper by Tintoretto; the sacristy contains a beautiful Altar-piece by Ghirlandaio.
Behind the Cathedral, is the Archbishop's Palace (handsome 15th century portal), from which we reach the Oratorio di Saint Maria delta Rosa, a little gem of Gothic-Romanesque art.
Coming back to Piazza Saint Martino, with its fine buildings, and crossing the adjacent Piazza Antelminelli, we come to the church of S. Giovanni, with a beautiful Portal dating from 1187, and the 14th century Baptistery.
From here, we go to Piazza Napoleon.
The square is dominated by the Palazzo Provinciale (1578), which houses an excellent Gallery and National Museum Ligurian, Etruscan and Roman archaeological finds, sculpture of the Lombard, Pisan and Lucchese schools, works by Civitali, Bartolomeo, Andrea del Sarto).
Following Via Vittorio Veneto, we reach the magnificent Piazza San Michele, surrounded by medieval houses, stands the architectural pearl of Lucca: San Michele (1143) With its elegant pointed facade enlivened by four orders of arcading. Inside we find paintings by Filippino Lippi, a bas-relief by A. Della Robbia, etc.
We then go to Via Fillungo, the most beautiful street in Lucca, which we take to the Roman Amphitheatre, which medieval houses have sprung up, creating a very picturesque effect.
A short walk from here brings us to S. Frediano, a severe Romanesque church (1112), with mosaics decorating its otherwise austere facade, a superb Baptismal Font, and sculptures by Jacopo Della Ouercia, Civitali, etc.
From here, returning to Via dell'Anfiteatro and passing through Piazza San Pietro brings us to the church of San Francesco (13th century) with its handsome doorway flank and by medieval sarcophagi, and carry on to Villa Guinigi (1418), which has a fine loggia. Taking Via della Fratta and Via Mordmi, we come to Via Guinigi, where we find the very picturesque medieval part of the city, dominated by the Guinigi Tower with its curious clump of trees growing on the top.
The tour duration about 4,5/5 hours.
 
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Program 2 An itinerary By Coach and on foot to visit the Classic Monuments of Lucca
Approx. 6 hours
Departure from Hotel: h. 8,00/8,30
Pick-up service: Upon request
Available in the following languages: English - French - Italian - Spanish - German - Russian - Arabic
Visits:
In the morning visit Pinocchio Park and the marvelous Villa Garzoni Gardens, the lovely Baroque style garden built in 1600 subsequently enriched with statues and playful water fountains. The Butterfly House and Pinocchio Park cannot be anywhere else but Collodi, where the antique village has been for more than a century, with its characteristic waterfall of houses that go from the top of the hill stopping behind Villa Garzoni with its 17th Century scenic Garden.
Have lunch at the Gambero Rosso restaurant, next to Pinocchio Park and near to Villa Garzoni. Leaving time for Lucca, refer to the road map for directions Pescia to Lucca, you will finally arrive at the ancient town, famous in Tuscany and around the world. You cannot visit Lucca without starting from the surrounding walls, today a splendid walk way and balcony of the town. Going inside from the south, you will find Piazza Napoleone, on one side the Ducal Palace and the Giglio Theatre.
Going beyond the Theatre you will come across the San Martino Cathedral of Romanesque origin, which contains the Holy face, a wooden cross symbolic to Lucca said to be formed in 742. Another famous work of art is the tomb of Ilaria del Carretto, by Jacopo della Quercia. Turning back you will come to the admirable Piazza San Michele with its Romanesque church and medieval lanes which take you to Via Fillungo. Half way up you will find the San Frediano church (first bishop of Lucca) and Piazza Anfiteatro, a type of Roman age establishment that over the centuries has an inhabited stratification that contains an elliptic shape.
Not far away is Palazzo Guinigi, with a 40 metres Tower where on the top there is a hanging garden, also known as Torre Alberata, from where you can admire Lucca. Another sightseeing point is the Torre delle Ore.
The tour duration about 5,5/6 hours.
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Program 3 An itinerary by bus & on foot to visit the Montecarlo-Lucca
Approx. 3 hours
Departure from Hotel: h. 8,00/8,30
Upon request pick-up service
Available in the following languages: English - French - Italian - Spanish - German - Russian - Arabic
Visits:
In the morning departure from Lucca by our deluxe bus forwards Montecarlo. We drive throughout the provincial road and after 15 km we reach the center of Montecarlo, one of the most conserved Medieval Towns in Italy and very famous for the production of wine.
We make a tour on foot throughout the main streets of the town center enjoying the beautiful and unique panorama of the hills around. And, after an hour we take our bus leaving the center and go to visit one of the oldest farms. We visit to the cellars and its old canteen with the person in charge, a walk through the vineyards, the tasting of the wine produced there. (it is also possible to have lunch there, as optional on request)
There are several wine cellars to visit, from the small family run estate where the used methods are the very traditional ones, to the big wine producers who use very high technologically advanced machinery. The excellent wines produced in this area are Chianti and IGT wines.
In September and October you will have the pleasure to assist to the harvest of the grapes!!! And maybe you can take part in it!
The tour duration about 2,5/3 hours.
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Program 4 An itinerary by bus & on foot to visit the Famous Villas in Lucca (Villa Torrigiani & Royal Villa)
Approx. 4 hours
Departure from Hotel: h. 8,00/8,30
Upon request pick-up service
Available in the following languages: English - French - Italian - Spanish - German - Russian - Arabic
Visits:
In the morning departure with our deluxe bus to visit 2 of the most famous and important villas of Lucca. We start the visit with Villa Torrigiani, one of the best Villas in Tuscany with its barocco style.
The Villa and the Park around are very important and both of them dates as far back as the beginning of the 15th century. We visit inside the Villa and the marvelous gardens with water games.
Then, we leave to visit another beautiful and very important villa, "Villa Reale" (visit from outside). The Royal Villa in Marlia, a small town in the countryside of Lucca. This Villa had been the residence of Napoleon's sister Elisa Baciocchi for a certain period. Besides, this villa has been a residence of many famous persons like violinist Paganini.
The tour duration about 3,5/4 hours.
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Program 5 An itinerary by bus & on foot to visit the Versilia & Famous Caves in Lucca
Approx. 5 hours
Departure from Hotel: h. 8,00/8,30
Upon request pick-up service
Available in the following languages: English - French - Italian - Spanish - German - Russian - Arabic
Visits:
In the morning departure with our deluxe bus to visit Lucca Coast "Versilia", famous for its beaches and marble caves. We start the visit with a stop in Viareggio, an important and famous center for its Carnival (on February) and also for its beaches which attract a lot of Italian families during the summer time.
We follow with the bus towards "Carrara" passing by Forte dei Marmi, another small & high class part of Versilia famous for its expensive hotels and houses full of famous people. Arrive to Carrara, this small town located below the mountains called "Apuan Alps", well known town as far back as the Roman period with its marble caves for the extraction and handwork of the marble. Here we will have a guided visit to a marble Quarry.
The tour duration about 4,5/5 hours.
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Program 6 An itinerary by bus & on foot to visit the Garfagnana in Lucca
Approx. 5 hours
Departure from Hotel: h. 8,00/8,30
Upon request pick-up service
Available in the following languages: English - French - Italian - Spanish - German - Russian - Arabic
Visits:
The Garfagnana is an area within the northwest "panhandle" of Tuscany, a landscape of deep valleys and high Alps. Luxuriant meadows and thick forests climb from the river basins, reaching towards the tops of the mountains, among the highest in Central Italy.
In the morning departure with our deluxe bus to Garfagnana. we start our day walking through an
idyllic landscape of verdant woodland we get our first expansive views across the Garfagnana, much of which is made up of national parkland. Our journey then takes us across a dam, the breathtaking majesty of the Apennines reflecting in the still waters below us as we head for the village of Villa Collemandina.
After a stop for refreshments we continue on to Castiglione di Garfagnana, a town whose origins stem from the Roman fortress built here to protect the strategic San Pellegrino Pass, and whose medieval walls provide us with an ideal location for a picnic lunch. After a look around the town we resume our journey this afternoon, descending to the town of Pieve Fosciana deep in the heart of Lucca Province. Traveling via an old mill we have an opportunity to see for ourselves how the local produce – corn, chestnuts, and flour – has been ground down for generations, a fascinating insight into the traditions of a seemingly timeless landscape.
Approx walking time: 3-4 hrs/7kms, mostly level and downhill.
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