When in Lucca
The medieval town of Lucca is an undiscovered gem that rivals nearby Florence, Pisa, and Siena. Little known beyond the cognoscenti who have vacationed here for generations, the surrounding Lucchesia region has a charm even more authentic and sophisticated than the rest of Tuscany. The landscape of gentle hills, blanketed with olive groves and vineyards, camellia-scented gardens and wooded coastline, is a haven of calm and beauty.

Lucca, the walled 'city of a hundred churches'--a treasure trove of medieval and Renaissance art and architecture.

The palacial villas of the Lucca aristocracy offer views into a world of beauty, a life surrounded by art.

The traditional cuisine of Lucchesia balances subtle sophistication with an earthy appreciation for the local bounty of the land.

The beaches of Versilia, little known to foreign tourists, are where the money of Milan vacations.

In Lucca, shopping is a splendid sensual experience: look for fine silks and culinary treats.

Carrara and Pietrasanta are known throughout the world for their precious white marble from the Apuane Alps.