Lucca and Liguria

How long do you want to spend in Lucca? I think that should depend on how long your trip is and how much time you are spending in other places. We stopped in Lucca for one night as we traveled from Florence to the Cinque Terre. We stayed at Hotel Rex, located next to the train station and just outside of the walls. It was a great location for train travelers and what clinched it for me was that they have bikes for their guests use. We enjoyed riding bikes around the wall and wandering around town.

We stayed 1 night in Lucca on our way from Siena to the CT. We got to Lucca at around 12 noon & walked around until about 10 pm; I felt that this was enough time in Lucca. There was a religious festival going on the day we were there with a procession at night; it was interesting to watch but I wouldn't have wanted to spend more than a day in Lucca. While I enjoyed Lucca, I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would and one day was definitely enough. As for a reasonably priced hotel, we stayed at the Hotel Melecchi which is outside the walls. It's a basic bare bones hotel but it was definitely clean and it had the added bonus of free parking which we needed because we had a rental car. There really aren't any "major" sights to see in Lucca but you'll probably want to walk or ride a bike on top of the walls. Since you've been to the CT & are looking for other towns to visit, I'd suggest Camogli, Portofino & Portovenere.

I was 2 nights in Lucca, (total of almost 2 full days.) but one of the days I toured the villas outside the wall. There is a lot to do in Lucca. 1. must rent a bicycle and ride around the city wall. 2. I climbed every tower and the views and photo ops were fantastic.
3. Went to an evening concert in the main concert hall. I love Lucca and could have stayed longer.

Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure are quite scenic and ritzy, but the Hotel Splendido can cost up to 1,300 Euros a night! That's not Europe through the Back Door, that's Over The Top. You can stay somewhere nearby that's cheaper and still walk around. like Jimmy Buffett says, "breathing that million air."

Climb the clock tower and the tree tower and photo each from the other. There is a really good deli in the Pz Anteatro (sp?). There are good photo ops everywhere. Walk the wall. locals run bike skate walk it: a good work out plus more photo ops.

William, I spent three nights in Lucca in April. Stayed at Ostella San Frediano (a former convent). It is inside the walls and very conveinent to everything. I would bike/walk the walls, climb the tower, visit the small piazza and the churches. Via Fullingo is the shoping street. They have lots of nice leather purses, wallets, etc.
Best pizza is M'Brianna (right across from San Frediano). YOu can do a day trip to BArga or several other small towns around the area. Lucca is one of my favorite towns. You will love it.