Carylyn Grote from Ville et Village sent us another article, this time describing her time in Lucca and why she loves it as a base for exploring Tuscany, enjoy:
As my southern grandmother used to say, "Now hush!"
We just spent a couple of hours with friends of ours on Saturday telling them how much they would love Lucca and of all things they could do in and around while there (with an emphasis on how relaxing the city was compared to the more popular tourist destinations) -- now the secret's out (well, has been out for a long time, but the Germans and English seem to know a lot more about Lucca than we Americans do).
We'll be there in April and into May this year -- wave if you see us
Posts: 937 | Location: Northern Virginia | Registered: 22 May 2006
A nice article, captures the rhythm of the day in Lucca well. It is a very special place, made special by the atmosphere more than 'sights'. The article perhaps oversimplifies the ease with a car.Visitors should check parking area signs carefully for times and restrictions, and whether they are residents only. Generally it's best not to drive inside the walls as many streets are restricted. It's not a town for cars, the streets are too narrow. Which is what makes it great for pedestrians and cyclists, and hence give that great atmoshphere of ease and calm. There are lots of large car parks outside the walls, some paying, some free, and not far to walk.
That's wonderful; as my friend and I will be in Lucca for two weeks in May! Staying in an apartment, of course; which I will review when I return. We plan to do lots of daytrips as well as exploring Lucca. I'm going to school the first week for Italian language classes.
I am another ST person heading for Lucca this spring (at the end of April). I will be attending the Lucca Italian School for a week and trying to stay out of trouble the rest of the time.....
Count me as another fan of Lucca. Stayed there for 2 weeks in 2006 while attending the Koine language school.
Jim, please, would appreciate if you can post when you come back and let us know about your experience at the Lucca Italian school. I would love to attend Italian school in Lucca again but not in Koine.
I will be sure to post a report. I will be taking the class that they have titled 'Practical Italian'. You spend time alone (or just a few other folks) with your instructor and wonder around town stopping in shops (and coffee bars... ) and engage in day to day dialogue. I thought that this would be a nice way to see some of Lucca and gain some 'practical' language experience.
I won't be back in the States until the end of May, so maybe by early-mid June..., I am a slow writer as well... Ciao.
Jim add me to the camp that would love to hear your experiences. Staying in Lucca and attending language school is on my list. Actually it's between there, Venice and Taormina.
You may be interested in my experiences at Lucca Italian School. I spent two weeks with them in May 2011 and then another week in October 2011. I loved it both times. http://italytutto.com/lucca-is/
Posts: 4 | Location: UK & Lunigiana, Italy | Registered: 13 December 2010
I'll be attending the Koine school for my classes; and I chose them as I took a weeks' classes with them in Florence in 2010, and really enjoyed it. I liked it because our instructor did not speak any English to us, no matter what; until the very last couple of hours!
The Lucca Italian School is wonderful. We've been here since July and have attended classes off and on. All of the teachers are very well-qualified, caring, and fun. As for Koine, we can't give any feedback since we haven't tried them. LIS rocks!
Originally posted by BarbB: I just submitted an article as a postcard about the couple of weeks I spent as Lucca Italian School. We'll see if they accept it!
I would love to read it but can't find it. Does it take this long to post??
I would love to read it but can't find it. Does it take this long to post??
Sometimes...
Sorry Barb, I see your article in the inbox. I've just been swamped the past couple of weeks as Internet Brands has turned over management of our Classifieds to me and I've been playing catch-up (that and SlowBowl ). I hope to have it published sometime next week.
Another small town similar to Lucca is Arezzo, also unjustly by-passed by the majority of tourists and so a good place for Slow Travellers.
quote:
Originally posted by Always Italy: We love Lucca and have been there several times. I think of it as a little Siena, which is another favorite of ours.
If you're in Lucca for more than a couple of days, there's an interesting area just outside Porta Santa Maria, the big gate on the northern side of Lucca. Just across the big roundabout is Borgo Giannotti. It used to be an artisan craft area but sadly the mobile phone shops are invading, so catch it soon. You can still find Aladdin's caves full of everything from kitchen equipment to baskets to garden supplies. The only remaining supplier of Lucchese 'stile liberty' tiles is on San Marco (just off Borgo Giannotti). I love to press my nose against the show window and if you're really cheeky, walk into the yard and peek into the workshop halfway down on the right. For foodies, every Saturday morning there's a farmers' market in the old cattle market at the top end of the street.
On Carylyn Grote's theme of Lucca as a base for exploring, besides the well-known places she mentions, if you have a means of transport, head north up the Serchio Valley (the river that skirts Lucca) into the spectacular mountain scenery of the Garfagnana. Among its many treasures are the Devil's Bridge, Bagni di Lucca, Barga (with my favourite cathedral), Castelnuovo (the capital, but the least picturesque town), an adventure park in the trees at San Romano for children and adults, Verrucole Fort, lots of marked trails for walking and many small family restaurants. The list is endless.
I thought I was the Number One Lucca's fan but I can see that I am in a long line of Lucca's addicts! I spent the whole month in Lucca last fall and adored this wonderful hidden gem. Again, I stronly recommend Debora del Sonno's apartments - absolutely superb and a great service from Debora! Lucca will stay forever in my dream... want to return as soon as I can. The best ever Italian town.
) and engage in day to day dialogue. I thought that this would be a nice way to see some of Lucca and gain some 'practical' language experience.
Ciao.
). I hope to have it published sometime next week.
