Both of these cities offer a lot for the traveler. Lucca is larger and is very vibrant with a fantastic path around the top of the walls that is fun to experience, and a busy city center with lots of street music.. Orvieto for sure has its charm, loved staying there for a few nights. I wouldn't miss either one on a trip to Italy. Its not all about the biggies. The smaller towns are spectacular and absolutely should not be missed
Posted by
Austin TX after living in Boulder CO for 25 years
1175 posts
I totally agree ! We thoroughly enjoyed them both.
Posted by
Yorkshire
1371 posts
Having been to both, Orvieto in particular earlier this year, I'd very much second this advice! Wise words, Jim!
Ian
Posted by
California 🦋
5301 posts
I loved Lucca and Orvieto too!
Both are beautiful and unique.
Jim, did you get a chance to attend a Puccini concert while in Lucca?
That was one of the highlights for me, except for getting lost afterwards when I couldn't find my B&B!
Posted by
OP
Virginia, USA
792 posts
Unfortunately I missed that Priscilla. I was in Lucca today. Looked liked they that a had a big festival over the prior weekend ...lots of tents. I saw this huge billboard right next to the cathedral advertising Netflix's "Stranger Things" I thought wow, that is kinda odd
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
At least when we were in Lucca (2011?), the Puccini concerts were done by students from the local vocal school. We went to three of the concerts and found the singers to be incredibly uneven. Some were quite good (one baritone in particular) and some (two tenors) who I'm sure had gifts in areas other than singing. It's a roll of the dice.
And we enjoyed Orvieto more than Lucca, due in large part to the breathtaking views from Orvieto. (Lucca lies in a broad plain, so no views.)
Posted by
College Park, MD, USA
9 posts
There is a huge exposition coming up in Lucca called Lucca Comics and Games from 11/1-11/5. They are expecting 200,000 attendees. What you most likely saw were the preparations which take several weeks and the tents take up just about every open space inside the walls as well as outside the walls.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11839 posts
We did not make it to Lucca until we had lived in Italy for a few years and we loved it! Yes, better than Orvieto. We did get there two years ago on the last day of Comics and Games, which was unexpected and quite entertaining.
Posted by
Ventura, CA, USA
297 posts
We were just to both places the beginning of this month. Enjoyed them both. Stayed at a really nice little place in Lucca, right in the Anfiteatro. B&B Arena Lucca. We got there the weekend after the Stones concert. Rode a surrey bike around the walls. Cortona, wonderful. Did that as a day trip from Montepulciano.