Lucca, a Tuscan city surrounded by remarkably intact Renaissance walls, offers more than just postcard views. Known for its quiet streets and grand piazzas, Lucca stands apart with its circular street layout, still following the lines of a Roman amphitheater from centuries ago. The walls, now repurposed as a 4-kilometer tree-lined park, are a favorite route for locals and visitors who explore them on foot or by bike, passing old bastions and panoramic viewpoints along the way.

The city’s historic center is filled with medieval towers, Romanesque churches, and cobblestone alleys that feel untouched by time. One of Lucca’s unique landmarks is the Guinigi Tower, topped by a small grove of holm oak trees planted in the 14th century. Visitors who climb the 230 steps are rewarded with views of red-tiled rooftops and the Apuan Alps in the distance. Nearby, the San Michele in Foro church impresses with its ornate façade and curious detail: a statue of the Archangel Michael said to have a hidden gemstone in his ring that sparkles at sunset.