Lucca was exactly what we needed. After months of running ourselves ragged with big-city itineraries and epic social gatherings (thanks and Happy Birthday, Linda!), this quiet, walled Tuscan town was the oasis of chill we were craving. Compared to everywhere else we’ve been, Lucca is tiny. Its intact medieval walls circle a historic center with only about 8,000 residents. Sure, there are many more folks outside the walls, but since we rarely venture out, we’ve decided they don’t count.  Inside the walls, it’s all cobblestones, charming piazzas, and an irresponsible number of excellent restaurants for a place you can walk across in ten minutes. Truthfully, you could check off most…

We loved our month-long stay in charming Lucca.  To read all about our experience, click here. If you’re planning your own escape to Lucca, whether for a day or a month, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of it. Book a walking tour Start with a quick walking tour to get your bearings and a dose of local history. You’ll learn that Lucca is one of only four European cities with fully intact medieval walls. And how it’s the only city in Tuscany that managed to avoid being conquered by the Medicis (those walls did their job as a deterrent). And how the Lucchese used to…