Lucca city breaks

Ringed by Renaissance-era ramparts and rolling Tuscan hills, laid-back Lucca looks like it’s been plucked straight out of a fairytale. Get lost among the tangle of cobbled side streets and sun-kissed piazzas and you’ll soon fall for the charms of this teeny Italian city. There are handsome palaces, beautiful churches, pretty gardens and Roman relics to tick off among the medieval lanes, though hit Piazza San Michele for bustling shops and cafés. As the sun sets on another day of exploration, nights are dedicated to eating and drinking like a local. Join in the fun at a jolly trattoria, share slices at a pizzeria or get cosy at an enoteca (wine bar).