Livorno to Lucca then Florence

[clamgirl]

We will be traveling next month to these areas. We only have one day and want to see Lucca (where the family is from) and then take in Florence. What is the best way to do this - train, guided van, ship excursion, or don't even try it?

[GSPLover]

From the ship to the train station will probably be 30 min.

Allow 15 min to get ticket to Pisa and wait for train.

Train to Pisa is 15 minutes.

Allow 15-20 minutes to wait for train to Lucca.

Pisa to Lucca is 30 minutes.

Your time in Lucca is ???

Lucca to Pisa is 30 minutes.

Pisa to Florence is about 60 minutes.

Your time in Florence is ???

Florence to Livorno plus transit to the ship is about 2 hours.

 

You did not say what time your ship departs Livorno. Makes a big difference. Lucca is a beautiful town, Easy to spend a whole day there. I really think Lucca and Florence in one day is a stretch.

[GSPLover]

Forgot Livorno to Pisa to Lucca train info. www.ftroute.com/Liv_Luc_Liv.htm

[Bob's Mom]

Wow this train information is perfect! The trenitalia website is so confusing (at least for me). Thank you.

[cruiseluv]

I spent 2 weeks in Lucca and was never bored!

 

I agree, if going to Lucca is important to you, forget Florence and spend your time in Pisa/ Lucca.

[ejkelvin]

If you could only spend 1/2 day in Lucca, what would you recommend?

[GloriaF]

I wouldn't want to miss the Leaning Tower, especially since your connections will take you through Pisa anyway on the way to Lucca. I thought it was very impressive!

[GSPLover]

If you could only spend 1/2 day in Lucca, what would you recommend?

 

There are two bell towers to climb for the impressive views. One has an oak tree growing at the top. Take you pick.

[cruiseluv]

If you could only spend 1/2 day in Lucca, what would you recommend?

 

Lucca is mainly a pedestrian city which is lovely to walk around.

 

If you like to ride bikes, rent a bike and ride on top of the medieval walls that surround the city; walk on Via Filungo, the main shopping street; visit San Frediano Basilica, San Michele church and San Martino cathedral. Sit at one of the cafes in the amphitheatre and have a drink or ice cream. And as

GSPlover suggests, climb one of the towers for a great view. My favorite is the Guinigi Tower, the one with the tree growing on top!

 

There are great restaurants in Lucca, so hopefully you can have lunch in one of them. If you want any names, let me know.

[Dianella2]

Hi,

We will be spending the day in Lucca from Livorno.

Could you recommend a nice place for lunch?

Thanks.

Dianella2.

[cruiseluv]

Hi,

We will be spending the day in Lucca from Livorno.

Could you recommend a nice place for lunch?

Thanks.

Dianella2.

 

Hi,

 

The following were my favorites:

 

Osteria Baralla- Via Anfiteatro http://www.osteriabaralla.it

 

Trattoria da Leo http://www.trattoriadaleo.it

 

Ristorante Giglio (very nice terrace for lunch al fresco)- Piazza Giglio

http://www.ristorantegiglio.com

 

Enjoy! Lucca is a lovely city!

[Dianella2]

Hi,

 

The following were my favorites:

 

Osteria Baralla- Via Anfiteatro www.osteriabaralla.it

 

Trattoria da Leo www.trattoriadaleo.it

 

Ristorante Giglio (very nice terrace for lunch al fresco)- Piazza Giglio

www.ristorantegiglio.com

 

Enjoy! Lucca is a lovely city!

Hi,Thanks for your prompt reply.

We are really looking forward to our visit!!

[OttoCal]

Lucca is charming- but be sure that you go inside the old city walls for your visit- that is where all the great stuff is.

 

Check out the town on Google Earth, you will see the walls. You can walk around on them and this is a popular spot for the Italian Pasigiata (spelling,sorry) tradition of the evening stroll. Everything is on a small scale, and stores do close for a siesta in the afternoon- puts a damper on your shopping if you are not prepared.

 

Enoteca Vanni is a nice wine shop for a wine tasting, but you should make an appointment or call ahead.

There are several squares in the old city, including a rounded one that is what is left of the Roman Ruins in the city.

 

Do a bit of looking around to figure out what you want to see- you would just be lost if you wandered around. Do you want to see the Puccini museum? Wine tasting? Long lunch? Gelato? Shopping? Churches? '

 

Whatever you do, don't skip the gelato!