Day Trips in Lucca Tuscany

Classical Walking Tour of Lucca

Three Hour Tour

Enjoy an introduction to the Highlights of the Beautiful Medieval Walled Town of Lucca with your local expert guide…

This tour will include the famous Via San Paolino, the statue of Giacomo Puccini (while we discuss this statue will we will also learn about the life and works of Giacomo Puccini and his links to Lucca), we will visit the Piazza San Michele, the Cathedral of S. Martino whose exterior itself is a perfect introduction to its history and the picturesque setting  of Piazza Napoleone. Once we are in Piazza Napoleone we should also see Palazzo Ducale as they should be seen together since the former became the backdrop for the place when it was totally modelled for Elisa Baciocchi in 1806.  Passing also the famous Torre Giunigi and the Amphitheatre which was built outside the walls during the II century A.D the history and stories throughout the years here is amazing, the famous walls of the historical centre of Lucca, (the walls along with the view of the Guinigi Tower is the most astounding site the city has to offer) and the Church of S. Frediano whose apse stands majestically and is seen from the walls.  The Church of S. Frediano which we will visit inside and out is the work of more than one century and it is considered to be one of the most interesting products of Romanesque architecture in Lucca. (tour duration: 3 hours)

Costs:

• Guide for Three Hours Classical Tour (up to 10 pax.): Euro 184,50
• Guide for Three Hours Classical Tour (from 11 to 30 pax.): Euro 162,00

Palazzo Mansi : The National Museum

Three Hour Tour

Enjoy a very special introduction to one of the most elegant and important Historical Palaces in Lucca.

There were a few old buildings opposite the church of S. Pellegrino that the Mansi family incorporated into the new building that acquired its current appearance, with the façade extending onto Via Galli Tassi between the XVI and XVII centuries.   The entire complex is one of the city’s remarkable features.  As we make our way through this incredible museum, we will enjoy the magnificently decorated ceilings with grotesques between the XVII and XVIII Centuries, and on the walls are portraits of the Mansi.  Although little remains of the original furnishings we will view temporary exhibits as well as some of the original best conserved rooms such as the neoclassical Room of the Mirrrors, the Music Room, beautiful Flemish Tapestries, the Picture Gallery containing original paintings from the Mansi collection.  This is truly a very special museum. (tour duration: 3 hours)

Costs:

• Entrance per person to Museum: Euro 6,75
• Guide for Three Hours Visit (up to 10 pax.): Euro 184,50
• Guide for Three Hours Visit (from 11 to 30 pax.): Euro 162,00

Lucca: Land of Musicians

Four Hours Tour

Follow in the footsteps of Puccini, one of Italy’s most famous musicians as you explore Lucca and nearby Torre del Lago…

This tour will take us on a journey through the life and times of Giacomo Puccini one of Lucca’s most famous musicians.  Giacomo Puccini was the son, grand son, great grand son of art.  It is well known that he was the last musician of a very singular dynasty that dominated the musical scene for 150 years.  His family previewed the brilliant destiny of the child and christened him with all the names of this ancestors… Puccini was not only involved in the musical services of the Santa Croce but he also of course when onto Conservatory of Milan and he got as Catalani the diploma of  composition with 4 voices, although once he left Lucca for Milano Puccini never did return to live here however he was always enthusiastic about Lucca in his operas.  We will follow in his footsteps and visit his birthplace, the places which played a huge part in this life, the places he played and the Villa (Torre del Lago) which is where he was finally laid to rest.   The Villa was chosen to allow Puccini to indulge in his passion for shooting waterfowl.  Puccini and his wife were laid to rest here, the property itself is used even today for opera performances throughout the Summer Months. This tour lasts for a total of four hours and car/driver service or taxi is required for transfer to Torre del Lago (not included).

Costs:

• Guide for Four Hours (up to 10 pax.): Euro 246,40
• Guide for Four Hours (from 11 to 30 pax.): Euro 214,90
• Puccini Native House and Museum per person: Euro 5,10
• Museo Villa Puccini per person: Euro 11,25

Palazzo Pfanner and Gardens

Three Hours Tour

Enjoy a pleasant visit to one of the most beautiful Renaissance style historical palaces in the heart of Lucca ….

This Tour takes you to this beautiful late Renaissance style Palazzo built in 1667.  The Palazzo is framed by the lovely garden, with the octagonal fountain, trees, shrubs and paths that is flanked by statues that lead to the lemon house in a setting that is reminiscent of the Boboli Gardens in Florence.  From these beautiful gardens we can also admire the Church of S. Frediano.  Apart from the view of one Of Lucca’s most famous Churches, when you are inside the property its like stepping back in time, forgetting you are in the centre of a walled historical city which is now so busy with people and traffic, you simply can enjoy the Palazzo, its history, curiosities, changes during the years and learn about life in Lucca during the centuries.

Costs:

• Entrance to Palazzo and Garden per person: Euro 6,75
• Guide Service for Three Hours (up to 10 pax.): Euro 184,50
• Guide Service for Three Hours (from 11 to 30 pax.): Euro 162,00

Half Day Cycling Around Lucca’s Piazzas and City Walls

Four Hour Tour

Enjoy a leisurely morning cycling around a real Roman Amphitheatre, along the ancient city walls and quaint piazzas of Lucca… all in anticipation of a lazy picnic lunch soaking in the atmosphere of this charming town

Lucca is a characteristic Tuscan town, and should be explored as the locals live. That is, on the back of a bicycle! Meet your private guide in Piazza Santa Maria where you will pick up your bicycles for the morning. Your first stop today will be on the bastions of the town where your guide will give you an introduction of the city and the area. Continue along the walls enjoying the views, the people and other cyclists, before we stop again in the area just behind the Cathedral of San Martino. From here we will bike down leaving the walls and heading to Piazza Napoleone, then its back on the bikes again heading to Piazza San Michele, the main square, and on to Piazza San Martino. Here we jump off our bikes and visit the interior of this beautiful church before making our way at a leisurely pace to the Roman Amphitheatre to enjoy a turn around the ring and imagine what life was once like in this historic place. Passing Piazza San Frediano we will stop in a local shop to choose a delicious Panino for a picnic lunch on the city walls, and for the kids some time to enjoy playing in the Lucca playground… and of course we haven’t forgotten a stop for ice cream in a local café before heading back.

Costs:

• Guide for Four Hours (up to 10 pax.) - Euro 246.40
• Cost per bike per hour - Euro 4.50

Suitable for all ages. Sensible shoes required. Payment for Lunch/Ice-Cream not included.

Carrara & Pietrasanta

Full-day Carrara Marble Tour with sculptor Neal Barab

Michelangelo brought to life his David from the milky white stone of the Carrara marble quarry; The ancient Romans constructed masterpieces including the Pantheon and Trajan’s Column in Rome from it, and moving farther afield London’s Marble Arch is also a product of this versatile and beautiful resource found in the Apuan Alps just a few kilometers from the Versilian coast in Tuscany.

This beautiful area has become home to artists and artisans, many of whom have set up studios in the vicinity of the white-capped Apuan alps that a lot of visitors to the area mistake for snow but that is in fact the precious white marble from these working quarries – it is quite a spectacular sight! Not only is the area home to some of the most historically important towns for sculptors and artists, but is also home to a thriving modern-day artistic community, and to really appreciate the beauty of this raw material we will take behind the scenes into a working studio, where sculptors from all over the world set about creating their internationally-acclaimed works displayed from Italy to China, Israel and America. Neal Barab is one of these sculptors and he will be your host today as he takes you on a journey to explore the quarries, the towns of Colonnata, Carrara and Pietrasanta and the inside of his own studio. Neal has lived and worked in Pietrasanta since 1987 and rightly refers to the town as a sculptor’s paradise, not only for the readily available pure white marble, but as he points out, also some of the best marble and granite from all over the world, in all colours imaginable, from green to red to black. Today you’ll meet Neal at his studio where you’ll not only get to see the artist himself in action, but also have your very own work-stand set up to try your hand at some of the techniques involved in creating stone sculptures. This is perfect not only for adults but for kids too, to get a first-hand taste of what goes in to creating a sculpture. For the very little ones Neal will prepare a piece of Alabaster and some files or else a piece of marble and a sculptor’s hammer and chisel  - we assure you you’ll leave with a new appreciation for this art form! The area around Neal’s studio is also just waiting to be explored, and we suggest you let him take you down to the river, where you might just find some interesting remnants and marble fragments. From here we then head out towards the quarries of Colonnata and Carrara while Neal gives you his take on the area, it’s history and current day activity. You’ll have the chance not only to enjoy the panoramic views from the mountain town of Colonnata, peer down into the open quarry but also to see the famous marble portals of the houses here. A stop in the town of Pietrasanta is also a must, with its charming central Piazza del Duomo that leads out on to a series of alleyways lined with artist’s studios, small shops and buildings with those lovely soft ochre-coloured walls that Tuscany is so well-known for. Our day also makes time for a lunch with Neal, in one of his favourite local restaurants, Colonnata is also known for the delicious Colonnata Lard, After a day exploring this fascinating, and surprising area with Neal, he will leave you to enjoy some time at leisure in Pietrasanta before it’s then time to head back to your hotel with your driver. (Payment for Lunch not Included) (Tour Duration 9 hours Time with Neal 6 hours)

To enjoy extended time in Neal’s studio, he would be delighted to prepare a simple light lunch for you there, before heading out to the quarries. Price available upon Request.

Costs:

• Tour with Neal Barab (6 hours) - Euro 553.50
• Sedan at disposal for 9 hours with English-Speaking Driver - Euro 652.00
• Mercedes E class Sedan at disposal for 9 hours with English-Speaking Driver - Euro 719.45
• Minivan at disposal for 9 hours with English-Speaking Driver - Euro 770.10

*All pricing is in Euros, and is subject to change. Prices listed are based upon clients staying in the Lucca region only. For clients staying outside of this region, additional charges may apply.