Activities

Beaches – The Versilia Coast

From Viareggio to the Gulf of Poets, the northern part of Tuscany is bordered by the long sandy beaches of Versilia to the border with Liguria, where the Cinque Terre, with its rocky profile draws hikers and visitors from around the world. The sea around the coast of Tuscany has all the advantages of the Mediterranean; it is calm and is ideal for windsurfing, waterskiing and other water sports. Villa Lucida is only located 30 minutes away from the nearest beach.

Cooking classes

One of the most interesting and fascinating experiences in Tuscany is taking part in a (private) cooking class. Adults, children, foodies and fans of Tuscany in general are welcome to discover the wonder of traditional Italian ingredients and different styles of cooking. Enjoy your created meal accompanied by a fine wine by the Tuscan hills.

Wine & Cheese tasting

The hills of Lucca and Tuscany are famous for their vineyards and wineries that produce wines of excellent quality. It would therefore be a shame to visit the region without living this unique experience. Spend a few hours at a local farm to taste cheeses along with cold cut meats and a lovely glass of local wine for an unforgettable experience.

Lucca

Whether you are in the mood to listen to live music, sip on fine wine, or dress up and attend the opera, you will find it all in Lucca. During the summer just head to a piazza, or town square. Many nights, musicians hold free outdoor concerts. Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, Napoleone, Grande, and San Martino are just a few of many piazzas scattered throughout the city. They are great places to listen to jazz, folk, and blues bands enjoying your favorite flavor of Italian ‘gelato’ on a hot summer night.

Bars

San Colombano is a popular bar, as is the Golden Fox. If you’re on the hunt for a pint or wine these bars won’t disappoint. Girovita, a cozy spot near the San Martino Cathedral, is a more laidback option. They have outdoor seating in the warmer months and provide a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for catching up with friends and family over a bottle of local wine. In ‘Lucida’ village Segromigno in Monte we highly recommend the local bar Rapphael.

Teatro del Giglio

Lucca is the birthplace of opera legend Giacomo Puccini. They love the opera here. If you’re a fan, checkout Teatro del Giglio, one of the more famous opera houses in town. The venue also serves as the site for concerts and theatre performances; it’s well worth a visit

Versilia

Versilia By Night is extremely popular and over the years has raised the awareness of the Versilia area. It draws large crowds, young and old, in summer, and on weekends and holidays throughout the year. Between Marina di Torre del Lago and Forte dei Marmi, all along the coast, there are many discos and nightclubs where shows and concerts feature current popular singers and artists to satisfy every taste.

Summer festival – June

Lucca Summer Festival, one of the most amazing music events in Tuscany in June and July. Bands and soloists of national and international fame have stood on these stages and offered a performance that has remained in the hearts of their fans. Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and Ennio Morricone and other important artists include Eagles, Black Eye Peas, Elton John, Jamiroquai, Zucchero, Ray Charles, James Brown and more will give you an unforgettable experience.

Puccini concert – July/August

In Torre del Lago
The charming Italian village of Torre del Lago near Lucca is home to the villa where Puccini lived and composed some of his operatic masterpieces. In tribute to the great maestro, the Puccini Festival once a year presents his great heroines. Held in July and August attracts about forty thousand spectators to its open-air theatre, the Teatro dei Quattromila.

All concerts are held by renowned singers and national and international pianists. Every day a unique concert is proposed – another element that makes this festival truly unique.

Lucca comix & games festival – October

The city opens up to the magic of Lucca Comics & Games. The squares, the streets, the historic buildings as well as the beautiful walls come to life with thousands of people of provenance, passions and different cultures. During these five days Lucca city becomes a fantastic, dreamy and almost ideal place. The historical and artistic beauties of the historical center merge with the imaginary of the possible worlds, giving life to a sort of “Middle-earth”.

Hiking

The hills of Lucca offer our visitors an ideal area to explore, with many breathtaking hiking trails for all abilities to stimulate the body and the mind. A joyful day with no stress and an unforgettable walking tour will cheer your days with the most beautiful landscapes, which usually can’t be captured from the car. The villa is located on a short walking distance of several walking trails, for all ages and for all fitness levels and interest.

Another new experience to offer to friends of hiking and naturalistic excursions. For all hiking lovers and interested in flora and fauna and the beauty of the Tuscan landscape there is a Hike the Cinque Terre. The trails overlooking the sea, which are really spectacular. Don’t forget to visit one of the most enticing regions for hiking in Tuscany – Garfagnana.

Biking

Tuscany is considered a paradise for people who love biking. Advantages that the region has to offer cyclists is the variety of unique natural scenery. Ranging from dirt roads in the countryside to off-roading mountain bike trails, cobblestone streets in small villages to bike paths along the rivers whilst taking in the breathtaking vineyards and olive groves.

Golf and tennis

The golf courses and tennis courts are an ideal place to spend a few hours of fun and physical activity. The nearest golf courses are the Montecatini Golf Club (20 km) and the Versilia Golf Club (35km) Here you can rent all the equipment you need and take advantage of their special packages waiting to be discovered!

Horseback riding

Your visit to Tuscany would not be complete without seeing at least a portion of the beautiful scenery of Lucca hills from the horseback choosing from a lesson, one-hour trail rides, half-day rides; or spend the whole day exploring the countryside. There are multiple paths on the surrounding hills which present different levels of difficulty.

Surfing, kitesurfing and rent a boat

Versilia is the capital of surfing in Italy, since the high frequency of big waves and the winds of Libeccio and Maestrale, practically guarantee constant surfing, perfect for surfers of all levels. Many other activities are to explore such as sailing, kayaking, paddling boats, rafting, rent a boat, etc.

Water parks

A day at the water park is perfect for both relaxation and fun with friends and family. Go ahead and explore the pools, slides, aqua gyms, solariums and much more in Lucca area.

Adventure parks

If your family idea of fun is swinging through the treetops like Tarzan and silently sliding across the sky on a zip line, then you should head to one of the adventure parks nearby Lucca. Adrenaline junkies can do all sort of exciting things.

Amusements parks

Tuscany is home to all kinds of amusement parks, from children’s playgrounds to sports fields to skating rinks and bowling greens. Not to mention great entertainment shows!

Family cooking classes

When in Italy – do as the Italians do. A fun and filling afternoon for the whole family is a kid friendly cooking class. You and your children will discover the secrets of making the real Italian pizza. Or to roll fresh pasta by hand as your local chef will help you prepare two simple different kinds of mouthwatering pasta.

Biking

An easy and pleasant bike tour is to explore the town of Lucca Viareggio or Pietrasanta. Cycling-friendly streets the way the locals do, suitable also for kids and children to have a taste of Lucca, its river park and the countryside or the beach side of Versilia.

Family horseback riding

Your visit to Tuscany would not be complete for any kid without seeing at least a portion of the beautiful scenery of Lucca hills from the horseback. A lesson, one-hour trail rides, half-day rides; or spend the whole day exploring the multiple paths in the countryside.

Tuscany

Tuscany is a land rich in colors, flavours and smells. There are so many things to see, do and taste. Navigators, writers, scientists, musicians and artists of all kinds have made this region famous: Dante, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Simone Martini, Galileo Galilei, , Giacomo Puccini just to name a few. You walk the streets of the most famous architectural cities such as Pisa, Florence, Lucca, San Gimignano, Siena and the medieval villages to relive the emotions of the past.

Lucca

The city of Lucca also known as the city of ‘one hundred churches’ is renowned for its magnificent and well conserved city walls, dating back to the sixteenth century. It is possible to walk or bike along the entire circuit. The historical centre is host to a wealth of examples from various historical periods, starting from the Roman amphitheatre (now Piazza dell’Anfiteatro). Shopping lovers will Shop-until-you-drop at the Via Fillungo. At every square and street corner you will find trattorias, pizzerias, fine dining restaurants, (coffee)bars and gelaterias to explore.

Lucca is also famous to host numerous events and performances, including the popular Lucca Summer Festival, Lucca Comics and Games, and the Festival of Puccini, dedicated to the great composer.

Pisa

The Leaning Tower has made Pisa famous all over the world. In addition to the tower, the city offers many other interesting things to see worth at least an entire day.
Once you have admired the Tower of Pisa from all angles continue your visit to the other monuments in the Piazza: The Cathedral and the Baptistery. Along the perimeter of the square, there is also the Cemetery, the Cathedral Museum and the Museum of the Synopses. Enjoy a leisurely walk along the Arno river and on your way, pass by Clock Palace to enter into Piazza dei Cavalieri.

Florence

Florence embodies the intellectual, artistic and cultural center of Tuscany- maybe even Italy. A visit to Tuscany could not be complete without a walk around Florence, photos from Piazzale Michelangelo, a stop at Ponte Vecchio and a stroll along the Arno River. Visit the Uffizi Museum, the Accademia and the imposing Palazzo della Signoria. To truly taste the flavor of Florence, one needs to enjoy a gelato in Piazza del Duomo, inhale the perfume of leather at the markets and eat a ‘bistecca Fiorentina’ in the shade of Palazzo Pitti.