A series of open-air concerts in Lucca, Tuscany each July, the main 'venue' being Piazza Napoleone, also known as Piazza Grande.
For such a small, albeit perfectly formed, town, this event has attracted some big names over the years - Oasis, Paul Simon, David Bowie, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Alanis Morrisette, Black Eyed Peas, James Brown - to name a few, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Concerts usually begin at around 9pm; it's still warm, and the main square is closed off from early evening. During concerts most of the bars and shops around the square remain open, and the majority of the events are standing only - but not all.

The official website is notoriously late in announcing the lineup, but for 2008 some names are confirmed already - Sheryl Crow, Leonard Cohen, Alicia Keys, Chicago, Erykah Badu and Mick Hucknall. The latter is a fixture by now, be it as himself or Simply Red. Elton John is also a frequent visitor. It's rare for tickets to sell out, so you can usually be sure of showing up and buying on the day, but the official site also explains how to get tickets.

Below are some links - the official site, a blog post about the 2008 festival, and our favourite site for Lucca hotels:

www.summer-festival.com/
blog.ahotelinitaly.com/italy/2008/03/18/lucca-festival-2008-new-concerts/
www.ahotelinitaly.com/italy/hotels/tuscany/lucca/lucca/

Lucca, Tuscany, Italy - main venue is Piazza Napoleone, inside the famous city walls.

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It's the tower with the tree on top! One of the most recognisable landmarks within the walls of Lucca. Well worth the climb for views from the top.

Via S.Andrea – 55100 Lucca
Tel 0583 316846
Winter opening: daily 9.00 – 17.30
Summer opening: daily 9.00 – 20.00
October opening: daily 10.00 – 18.00

Lucca hotels - www.ahotelinitaly.com/italy/hotels/tuscany/lucca/lucca/

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A highly-affordable four-bedroom 'tavern' in the Lucca countryside run by a delightful couple always ready to help out. They even left the preparation of a big New Year's Eve meal halfway through to drive us 20km away to collect our broken-down car. The rooms are welcoming and individually furnished with local antiques. Pets and children are very welcome. A gem!

www.locandasanginese.it/

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A restaurant near Porta Elisa that employs disabled people alongside trained staff. Highly recommended by local friends, I was unable to test it as it was fully booked on the night. Affordable local fare.

Piazza S. Francesco 4
Lucca

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After a few hours strolling around Lucca taking in the sights, nothing beats some proper gelati.

The best place is Caffe di Simo in Via Filungo, undoubtedly the best gelati I've ever had, in wonderful fin-de-siècle ambience and with excellent coffee too.

Pistachio was my favourite flavour.

Via Fillungo 58, Lucca
Telephone: 0583 496234
www.in-lucca.it/ristoratori/disimo/index.htm

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I'm staggered by the reader who said there's 'not much to do in Lucca'. Apart from the fact that this has about the most perfect set of medieval walls of any city you'll see in Europe.

The best way to get a feel for the town is to hire a bike (there are big cycle hire places all over the old town) and ride around the walls (a circuit is less than three miles). These are so wide/deep that they have parks and cycle paths. Your wheels are also the best way to get around the narrow streets of the centre, which is now largely free of cars. Arguably Lucchese can be a bit snooty (this very bourgeois town is the only place I've seen fur coats in June) but a lovely little place nonetheless.

A good central hotel is www.ahotelinitaly.com/hotel-details/alla-corte-degli-angeli-maison-de-charme-lucca/#hotelmap. Only five rooms, nice and quiet.

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Call me perverse but I'm not going to recommend the Tuscany of 'rolling green hills, loan cypresses...' etc etc (ie Chianti). Head north, rather than south when you leave Pisa airport and you come, via the spa town of Bagni di Lucca, to the Garfagnana. This is considerably more rugged and mountainous than southern Tuscany, you are still within reach of the beach, there is skiing up at Abetone, large bits of the Garfagnana are Nature Reserves (Parco della Orecchiella is a must), it's fantastic country for walkers and hikers. We're talking ancient chestnut forests, alpine meadows, caves, spectacular ridges, roaring streams and little mountaintop hamlets that seem to grow from the stone of the hillside. Must sees (there's a list at www.knowital.com/html/lucca_-_the_garfagnana__3_.html include the Caves of the Wind (Grotta del Vento), the Devils Bridge near Bagni di Lucca, the sunken village at Vagli and the sanctuary and museum at San Pellegrino in Alpe.

www.knowital.com/index/listing/garfag/
Trains go into Bagni di Lucca

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Excellent accommodation, really well-equipped kitchen, clean and well furnished, friendly on-site English owners.

Fantastics views of Lucca from house. Couple of minutes to Lucca centre and from shops. Good Tuscan restaurant in village. Convenient too for visiting Pisa, Florence, the beach, golf, etc.

Offers B&B in out-of-season too.

www.luccatuscany.com

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Great little 2nd floor guest house, right in the heart of Lucca. Very clean, spacious rooms & very helpful staff. Excellent.

142 - 2° piano
Tel: +39 (0583) 49.53.61
www.casa-alba.com

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For a day trip it's nice, but there's not that much there.

www.travelplan.it/reg_tos_luc_page.htm

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Lucca is one of my favourite italian cities (prob #1) - everything is wonderful. The medieval wall provides a great palce where everyone rides their bike or walks to work or school, or just for fun. A great place to meet hot guys. The people are great.

Around the centro storicco.

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Recently opened hotel: beautifully restored villa just outside Lucca. It's idyllic! A four-star hotel that is friendly and welcoming. Perfect attention to detail in every respect. Run by a husband and wife team - both warm and hospitable - excellent cooks, too! Imaginative weekend "offers" out of season, including Christmas and New Year. Perfect for a longer stay in the area, or for a weekend escape. Bliss! I can't wait to go back!

www.albergovillamarta.it
Nearest station: Lucca, Italy
Nearest airport: Pisa

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