Four Days in Lucca: thoughts on this plan?

You really only have 3 days in Lucca, and while your day trips look modest and very doable, Lucca was an amazing stop for me, and IMO deserves at least two focused days. It is a beautiful city, much more pleasant than Pizza, in my opinion, and is rich with both culture and energy. Riding a bike around the city walls was a memorable experience, and the artisan shops were delightful. I found the marble quarries in Carrara to be interesting, but not "oh, wow" and would recommend a brief tour to focus your visit rather than an all day, exhaustive event. I see that one of the major tour providers is closed from the end of November to April. Check your dates carefully. Also, it is seriously cold in the quarries. We were shivering in August.

I don't know anything about Pistoia, so can't advise.

Sounds wonderful to me--relaxed enough, but tailored to your interests. I have not been to Pistoia, but I have heard good things--you might want to check what is market day (I think Wed and Sat, but confirm) and if it will coincide (seem to recall hearing it has a good one).
If any of the above does not work out, Barga is lovely--reachable by bus, but I would only wish to go on a decent weather day. There are also some thermal springs nearby--Bagni di Lucca, if that is of any interest.

These are wonderful ideas! Thank you so much. Sounds like the weather will be a factor in whatever I decide to do, so I'd better remain flexible. I do love to browse in artisans' shops, so am glad to hear that that will be possible in Lucca, and had also seen that there are hot springs nearby, but figured that December may not be the best time to dip? I have been to Lucca once before, for a day trip from Florence for a few hours, and am really looking forward to more time there, including evening time to hopefully hear an operatic soloist in one of the churches. I really appreciate your suggestions, and will look into Barga.

There is an opera school in Barga--we were delighted to be treated to a free song from a student who married a local restaurant owner! Note there is train and bus to Barga, but the train is downhill outside the town, so take that into consideration.
I think there are spas for the springs, but I don't know a lot about it, just passed by. There is a pretty little stone bridge there.
Really wish I had made it Pistoia now, just read it was named the 2017 Capital of Culture

I love Lucca. There are concerts of Puccini's operas in a local church nightly. I took a wonderful cooking class there. I also bought my favorite leather purse in Lucca as well as some perfume in the branch location of the Florence Santa Maria Novella store. Stay inside the walls for the best experience. I recommend biking and walking the ramparts. We had a picnic lunch on the wall on one of the many benches lining the path. Great restaurants and you can have coffee in the same shop that Puccini frequented. PM me if you want lodging or restaurant recommendations. As far as day trips, Barga is as far as I would go. Enjoy Lucca!

My husband and I just arrived today in lovely Lucca. And we have been wondering what to do for 3 days before heading to Rome and on to home in the US next week.
We would really appreciate recommendations on accommodations inside the city walls. We are currently in the Best Western outside of the walls. Live and learn.
Wine tasting and bicycle riding and listening to music and eating authentic cuisine are all on our to do list. Please let me know what to try!

hi jmaldinuu
some places to check if interests you:
luccatours.com local woman resident introduces you to town.
cucina-italiana.com local chef paolo has a few different half day cooking class, also has accommodations.
extravirginlucca.com another cooking class.
bellaitaliatours.com. Does a tour to barga/garfagnana area, sight seeing, wine area, “devil bridge”, a legend and folklore about being built, small village of barga, mountains and valleys, stopping for photo ops, not overrun with tourists. the weather may factor in with time of year, make the best of the.
this was some places we saved, had to cancel due to health of family member. still on hold.
more things and places to keep you busy with researching. enjoy and let’s us know.
aloha

Oh my, karren, valadelphia, and princess pupule, what a great list of ideas, places, tours, and more. I am printing this thread out, and will use it to research and plan my time in Lucca more carefully. Thank you all for your help!

This place is heaven: www.sanlorenzorelais.it