Stage Four: Time to Say Goodbye to Lucca

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Today we have started packing as we leave Lucca in a couple of days for Santa Margherita, on the Italian Riviera.

The month in Lucca has gone by way too quickly. When we arrived it was a tad chilly but now the temperature is in the high twenties. The sky is so clear and often we can see vapour trails from aircraft, which seem to go from one side of the horizon to the other.

The Farewell Dinner

Last evening we went out for a 'farewell to Lucca' dinner. My daughter and I had a courgette soufflé which was topped with crispy bacon for entrée; it just melted in your mouth. My husband chose fish for his main with a tiny stack of vegetables, and I had a mouth-watering beef casserole that was ever so tender. The food and service could not be faulted; the staff were so attentive and friendly. Nothing was too much bother and they went out of their way to make sure our three year old grandson was comfortable.

Plenty to Visit

Leaving Lucca is hard. My husband and I just love this town. It's hard to believe that it's only four kilometres around the tree-lined walls and inside a kilometre wide. Every inch is taken up with interesting structures and statues. Yesterday we visited the Duomo San Martino; it is really stunning inside and houses the tomb of Ilaria who was the wife of the Lord of Lucca during the 1400s, Paolo Guinigi. Ilaria died at a very young age in childbirth. Paolo's love for his wife had to be obvious by commissioning such an elaborate tomb. The frescos in the Duomo are also stunning, as are the stained glass windows.

Every time we venture out we seem to find a new and exciting little corner in this lovely little town. The shops here are a dream and the delicatessens and pastry shops are a delight but perhaps not for your waistline. Wine is also really inexpensive.

We are already making plans to return and hopefully it won't take us another five years. This is our third visit to Lucca and each time we make our booking to stay we tend to extend it by a week. This is an enchanting town; vibrant, full of history and just a relaxing place to be. You feel totally safe walking the streets at any time of the day or night. Big cities have their special charm but I think most of us are all more conscious of our safety. Here you can just relax.

Accommodation Options

Should you decide to come to Lucca for holiday, do think of staying in an apartment. It's great to be able to cook a meal, have more space and generally be more comfortable. Each time we have stayed in Lucca we have stayed in Palazzo Guinigi, each time in a different apartment. It is so handy to the supermarket and the famous Via Filungo shopping area. We found this accommodation on the internet and paid a deposit upon booking and the balance when we arrived. The cost really was quite reasonable.

Now it is time for me to sit back and reflect on this last month. It's been great, really great.

We will return, Lucca. Grazie!

By Kay Rayner