15 Comments

We loved lucca but only took a day trip. We were there during siesta and spent our time in a leather shop and walking around before aperitivo. We were sitting on a bench and a lady walked by with a wire-haired point Griffon (which is what we also have) and I called out “Griffon” and she stopped. Turned out she was from California and had waited a long time to be able to bring her pup over to live with her. We had a nice chat and got some puppy love. I’d definitely go back and spend an evening or a few days

Expand full comment

So are schengen shufflers who live half the year in the UK, and half in a little village between Lucca and Pisa, so Lucca is basically our home town. And it is lovely. For the querents who are thinking of settling in Lucca, can I be cheeky and recommend my bloglets on Whitmartlet.com? The website is a bit out of date as I have recently started writing on substack and as yet haven’t worked out how to marry Substack and the website seamlessly together, but my bloglets are basically about life in the Tuscan hills, in particular this area, so you can get a feel of life there. And in the meantime, great substack!

Expand full comment

Of course you can! I’m sure plenty of people would like to read about life in the Tuscan hills. I’ll check them out too.

Expand full comment

Aww thank you so much! I did love your piece though. If you are ever in the Tuscan hills hit us up- although we are as I say Schengen shufflers and tend to be there outside of the summer season, I would love to show you some of our favourite haunts. That's the thing about Italy - it is still there, alive and kicking, all you need to do is step beyond the tourist traps (which are still lovely) and Italy and the Italians unfold before you in all their wonderfulness. Have a great weekend!

Expand full comment

Wish I were there! :)

Expand full comment

Everything, And I look forward to being able to visit one day.

Expand full comment

Thanks for this piece. Lucca is on the itinerary for the Italian leg of what I'm calling my Bourbon Capitals Tour. It's a multi-year operation, so I'm not sure when I'll get there exactly, but I can't wait.

Expand full comment

What an interesting idea. What other cities are part of the tour?

Expand full comment

In Italy, Naples, Palermo, and Parma. I've already been to Parma, but I need to go back again because I didn't manage to see everything I wanted to. In Spain, Madrid and Seville. In France, Pau (setting aside Paris and Versailles, which I'm already familiar with).

Expand full comment

Perhaps you should add Caserta to your list…

Expand full comment

Oh, yes. All the Bourbon palaces in the Naples area will be included.

Expand full comment

Lucca really IS one of Italy's most enchanting places, I'm just sorry my visit to it was very short :-(

Expand full comment

That just means you’ll have to go back!

Expand full comment

Yes, that's my policy too! :))

Expand full comment

If I had enough time and money, I would go back to such places all the time :)

Expand full comment