MARTA GUESTHOUSE

TRIPS NOT TO BE MISSED

LUCCA [dist. 7 km - 15 min.]

City of art famous for its tree lined walls that are still intact, this is the symbol of the Town.
The walls enclose the old historical centre, the Town is full of beautiful historical buildings, churches and piazza's. The most famous are the Duomo (Cathedral), S.Frediano Church, S.Michele's Church and the suggestive Amphitheatre Piazza that remind us of the history of this old city.( LINKS )

PISA [dist. 14 km - 20 min.]

An interesting City well known all over the world for its wonderful "Piazza dei Miracoli" with the famous Leaning Tower, its Lungarni and the Church of the Spina.

FLORENCE [dist. 70 km - 50 min.]

This is the world's Italian capital of the art. The famous and principal monuments are the Duomo with Giotto's Campanile and the Brunelleschi's Cupola, Piazza dells Signoria and the most famous Galleria degli Uffizi. The City is so full of art that is almost impossible to describe.

VOLTERRA [dist. 45 km - 1hr 15 min.]

This is a famous City of Etruscan origin. It is situated in a splendid position between the hills of central Tuscany.

MONTECATINI TERME [dist. 33 km - 30 min.]

This a famous Spa centre, famous for its curative spring water but at the same time refined, elegant and lively.

VIAREGGIO, FORTE DEI MARMI, PIETRASANTA [dist. 30 km - 25 min.]

Seaside resorts on Tirreni coast. They are famous not only for beautiful seaside private beaches but also for their culture, lively night life and shopping.
Not to be forgot the near small town of Torre del Lago where is located the Puccini's Villa where the artist composed most of its Opera.( LINKS )

MARBLE QUARRIES OF CARRARA [dist. 60 km - 1hr 30min.]

Here they extract the greatly desired precious white marble that is used in monuments and exclusive private houses all over the world.

SIENA [dist. 110 km - 2hr 00min.]

Ancient historical Tuscany City, well known even for its "Palio" a traditional equestrian competition that takes place each year on the 2 of July and the 15 of August in the heart (centre) of the City, in the suggestive Piazza del Campo.
www.ilpalio.org

SAN GIMIGNANO [dist. 80km - 1hr 40min.]
This is a characteristic Sienese Town, famous for its houses and towers.

ALPI APUANE AND GARFAGNANA [dist. 50 km - 1hr 00min.]

This is a mountains area where people can walk or follow the suggestive paths for trekking with different levels of difficulty. These walks bring you to small and characteristic mountain villages. Here you are able to see splendid panoramic views and in some cases that even extend to the sea.

CINQUE TERRE [dist. 80 km - 1hr 30min.]

Mini cruises leave Viareggio port each day in summer. The cruises take about seven hours (starting in the morning and coming back early evening) to visit the Cinque Terre with lunch stop in Monterosso. The Cinque Terre are interesting National Natural Park and they are noted for their cultivated vine terraced hills, their steep cliff to the sea, the stretch of coastline that curves inwards forming bays of different sizes and enchanting small beaches between the rocks with its deep sea full of marine life.

SPECIAL EVENTS IN LUCCA CITTA' AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS
markets, fairs and exhibitions

MUSICAL FESTIVALS
LUCCA - june

Held by Music Schools from allover the province

FESTA DI SAN PAOLINO
LUCCA - JULY
From around the 10th of July, inside and outside the Walls Hitorical Games are acted out by Lucca associations, for example: crossbow competitions, old style football etc.


SUMMER FESTIVAL
LUCCA - JULY
During the whole month of July concerts by world famous artists are held inside the walls in the larger piazzas.


FESTA DI SANTA CROCE
LUCCA - SEPTEMBER
Candle lit historical procession of S. Croce, with the participation of well known authorities.


FIERA DI SAN MICHELE / FIERA DEL SETTEMBRE LUCCHESE
LUCCA - SEPTEMBER
These two fairs form one large fair from 13th to the 29th of September. There are numerous stalls in Piazza S. Michele and Borgo Giannotti.


LUCCA COMICS AND GAMES
LUCCA - END OF OCTOBER TO THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER
One of the biggest comics and games fairs in Italy with international importance which overtakes the whole city. There are numerous stalls sometimes with uncommon articles for passionate collectors. There are special events with fun for everyone.


ANTIQUE MARKET
LUCCA - THE 3RD SATURDAY AND SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH
This is one of the most famous markets in Italy: around the Cathedral there are over 300 stall holders of furniture, ornaments, clothing, toys, costume jewelry, antique books etc.

ART AND CRAFTS FAIR
LUCCA - THE LAST WEEKEND OF EACH MONTH

There are numerous stalls of hand crafts and art work around Piazza S.Giusto

PUCCINI FESTIVAL
TORRE DEL LAGO - JULY TO AUGUST
Giacomo Puccini's most beautiful operas are re-enacted by well known artists in spectacular open air performances, on a special stage setting over a part of the lake.


THE CARNIVAL OF VIAREGGIO
VIAREGGIO - MID JANUARY TO MARCH (DEPENDING ON EASTER)
This is one of the most important carnivals in Italy where each year a different theme is portrayed. Enormous, hand made paper maché characters are carried on amusing floats, made by special experienced workshops that move through the main road next to the famous Viareggio promenade.
This is an event that is suitable for people who like lots of music, noise and fun.

shopping in lucca

Lucca has a long historical commercial tradition and even today it is well known and appreciated for its shopping.
In the historical centre there are many shops with a rich history: prestigious antique shops, jeweler's, and other renowned shops where quality and courtesy are of the house. You cannot miss a visit to Lucca without a walk in the elegant shopping streets. Above all is the central Via Fillungo where you can find some of the oldest commercial activities. The old distinguished signs and liberty style windows will prove this.
Adjacent to Via Fillungo there other busy and enchanting streets are Via Roma, Via Buia, Via S. Giorgio, Vicolo S. Carlo and other small streets that form a labyrinth full of shops.
Other interesting places to shop are in the "Piazze." Piazza Amphitheatre has not to be missed for its unusual shops that follow the circular form of the piazza; Piazza S. Michele, Piazza Napoleone, Piazza S. Giusto all have a large selection of open air bars and shops.

If you go out Porta S. Maria, just outside the Walls, there is Borgo Gianotti where some artisans have carried out their profession, some dating back to the beginning of the last century: upholsterers, wrought iron blacksmiths, carpenters, antique restorers, basket makers, special hand made Lucchese tile producers, antique plaster-cast makers, and ceramic shops.