| Tuscany is home to the town of Lucca, an | | | | provides a restful and peaceful vacation spot. |
| exquisite example of Romanesque architecture | | | | The superb aromas wafting from the restaurants |
| displayed in all of its glory throughout the town. | | | | in Lucca tempt tourists and residents alike. Superb |
| The cathedrals of San Michele and San Martino | | | | dining is at the end of their search for the perfect |
| are two of the best examples of the | | | | cuisine or culinary delight to feed their hunger. One |
| Romanesque architecture to be seen in Lucca, or | | | | of the best restaurants in Lucca is Ristorante |
| all of Northern Italy for that. | | | | Buca di Sant'Antonio. Make sure to try the faro |
| Lucca sits near the Serchio River, about 30 | | | | soup. This is known to be one of the oldest |
| kilometers from Pisa and 80 kilometers from | | | | dishes in Italy. |
| Florence. The town itself rests on a plateau under | | | | Large villas, nestled in the surrounding hillsides in all |
| the watchful gaze of the Apuane Alps. The | | | | of their finery, and impressive gardens beckon |
| medieval walls, thick and strong, built in the | | | | too many tourists who visit the area. Some of |
| sixteenth century still surround the town and the | | | | Italy's finest beaches are less than a half an hour |
| walkways present on the top of the walls offer | | | | distance away. Nearby is the town of Barga. It is |
| an enjoyable opportunity for biking or walking to | | | | north of Lucca and is a wonderful medieval walled |
| nearby sights. | | | | city that is not on the tourist path. Pietrasanta is |
| The town is full of charming shops and antique | | | | another small town nearby that is known as the |
| markets that offer a variety of unique and | | | | place which Michelangelo came for stone. Today, it |
| interesting items. In fact, the town is sufficiently | | | | remains a place where many artists reside and a |
| insulated from the hectic pace of city life, that it | | | | continue to craft items from the stone. |