The medieval walled city of Lucca is one of the most loved cities in Italy. Rich in architectural and artistic treasures and dense with magnificent palazzi, Lucca has countless cafés and restaurants.
Planning a visit? Look to stay at the Grand Universe Lucca, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the hottest destination in Tuscany after opening just last year.
What to do
This year, the elegant city of Lucca is getting ready to welcome back its best music festivals, after a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic. From classic serenatas to concerts with headline bands, discover what awaits travellers in Lucca this season.
There is plenty to do in Lucca. This city lies in the heart of Tuscany, near Pisa and Florence and is known as the city of a hundred churches due to its large amount of historical religious structures. Visitors will enjoy walking along the historic city walls, exploring the gorgeous gardens and wandering around Lucca’s squares. Travellers will fall in love with the city for its sights but also for its flavours when visiting local markets and wineries.
As the birthplace of world-class musicians and composers such as Giacomo Puccini, Nicolao Dorati and Giovanni Lorenzo Gregori, Lucca is a city with a long musical tradition. Returning this year, travellers looking for classic composers must attend Lucca Classica Music Festival (April 23 to May 01). Likewise, the most anticipated musical event in the Italian summer is also back this year. The month-long Lucca Summer Festival features legendary artists from all over the world performing across the city in historical venues. The 2022 line-up already features Justin Bieber, John Legend and more.
Where to stay
Surrounded by masterpieces of Medieval and Renaissance architecture, Grand Universe Lucca, Autograph Collection overlooks two of the most beautiful piazzas in Lucca, Piazza del Giglio and Piazza Napoleone. Having been a Palazzo in the Renaissance, the building is rich with history which lives on in the present, allowing guests to be immersed in an extraordinary atmosphere where the classic and the modern come together. Grand Universe Lucca, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection has 55-guestrooms and nine unique suites.
Where to eat
Lucca has countless cafés, trattorias, and restaurants where one can enjoy the best of Tuscan cuisine. Lucca locals recommend All’Olivo to taste Tuscan specialities from sea and land, served among paintings, sideboards, and bottles of wine in the intimate rooms of an elegant restaurant. In the heart of the beautiful historic centre of Lucca, visitors will find the Buca di Sant’Antonio, one of the city’s oldest restaurants. Specialising in traditional Tuscan cuisine, the main courses here focus almost entirely on meat dishes. The city has a few Michelin star restaurants such as Giglio Restaurant, a long-established restaurant in a beautiful 18th-century palazzo in the centre of Lucca. Giglio offers modern cuisine with a very Italian feel, combined with French culinary techniques. Another popular option is Butterfly, founded in December 1997, the name was inspired by one of Giacomo Puccini’s greatest operas, making this place a ‘must-visit’
Information
Known as the city of a hundred and one churches, Lucca is set in the heart of Tuscany and Lucca offers a unique perspective on Tuscany’s rich historic and culinary cultures. Overlooking two of the most beautiful piazzas in Lucca, the location of Grand Universe Lucca, Autograph Collection is perfect for discovering the stunning city. Previously a Palazzo during the Renaissance, Grand Universe Lucca, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, has 55-guestrooms and nine unique suites.
You can read The Luxury Editor news story here.
Find Out More
Website: www.granduniverselucca.com
