A guide to Lucca: Italy's little-known fairytale city

stores, for example, still have their original signage, and you might think you're walking into a butcher's store with a sign saying 'masello', but in fact you'll find shelves stacked with designer sunglasses. From biking along the city walls to exploring the breathtaking Versailles-inspired gardens and tasting local Tuscan wines with a view of the city from above, here's what to see, where to eat and where to stay in Lucca.

Where to stay in Lucca, Tuscany

• Tenuta Di Tramonte - Belgian couple Lorenzo and Laurence decided to leave city life behind and move to the countryside among the hills of Lucca. Villa Trenta, one of two villas on the Tramonte estate, was built more than five centuries ago and''Has been owned by the Lorenzo family for four generations. It still shines with its antique splendor and is now available for rent with its own swimming pool (the villa sleeps 24 people). Villa Volpi, a former convent, was purchased just eight years ago with the intention of turning it into a family home. But after a thorough renovation, they decided to turn it into a B&B, with beautifully restored and original terrazzo floors, antique furniture and seven en-suite rooms with views of the hills. In 2024, the property will also have a chef on site to prepare bespoke lunches and dinners.
• Grand Universe Hotel - The 55-room Grand Hotel is superbly located overlooking the city's two central squares, Piazza del Giglio and Piazza''Napoleon, just a short walk from restaurants, cafes and boutiques. The hotel has a rich history - it was formerly a glass workshop, then the palatial residence of an aristocratic family before becoming a modern hotel in the mid-18th century. Sleep in stylishly decorated rooms that have previously hosted a series of artists, poets and royalty from around the world. The interior has modern touches with luxurious silk and velvet drapes, and the Legacy restaurant is an honorable dedication to traditional Tuscan recipes. There is also a wine cellar and olive oil tasting facilities, a gym and a cozy Symphony Lounge with grand piano where you can sip a cup of tea and read a book under the luxurious'with vaulted ceilings.
• L'\''Arancera di Villa Grabau - Villa Grabau is a luxurious sixteenth-century neoclassical estate set in a nine-hectare botanical park with centuries-old trees and rare plants. The green grounds include an ancient farmhouse, which after a ten-year renovation has been transformed into a villa with twelve rooms. Villa L'\''Arancera di Villa Grabau is tastefully decorated. The rooms have furniture by local craftsmen and each room has a private bathroom with painted tiles. The rooms overlook the gardens with a salt water pool 18 meters long and bunches of citrus trees framed by mountains in the distance. A wide range of services are available, from daily housekeeping to yoga classes,'' cooking classes and private tours of neighboring villages. Don't miss a visit to the villa and its stunning bil-l'\''uil frescoes by 19th-century Italian artist Francesco Bianco.
• Gimber Tales - There are fewer lodging options in this Tuscan town, but there are several apartments to create a homey atmosphere. Just a 15-minute walk from the train station, Gimber Tales is a spacious apartment on the first floor of one of the few modern buildings in town. Upon entering, you'll be greeted by a black and white marble floor chessboard leading to the spacious living room. The interior style is reminiscent of an English village with a variety of fabric cushions, chairs and upholstered bed headboards. There is an elegant kitchen with''Lovely marble counter tops with coffee machine, electric stove, dishwasher and washing machine. This is a convenient place to stay in the city.
• Casa Vanny - Casa Vanny offers the perfect blend of rural living and city life. It is located inside the medieval walls of Lucca, yet has a magnificent garden overflowing with fragrant lemon and orange trees. This property perfectly blends antiquity and modernity, offering contemporary amenities surrounded by crystal chandeliers, original wooden beams and a 15th-century Tuscan fireplace portal in the living room.