stay in Lucca after after Best of Tuscany tour?

Lucca is delightful in itself, and there are also plenty of places you could reach by train. Yes, go for it!

When is your tour? Height of summer, or later in the fall? Or May?

I ask because, while I know Lucca is much-loved here, we found it way too hot when we were there in late June 10 years ago. There is very little greenery within the city, so little shade at mid-day, and the buildings soak up and radiate a lot of heat. We were staying inside the walls and had to walk across town to the Laundromat (it was halfway through our trip). I found the heat oppressive for walking.

We stayed 3 nights in Lucca in October 2022. We could’ve spent at least a fourth. Plenty to do and see inside the walls, plus renting a bike to ride the path atop the walls, and the long river path outside the city. We visited Pisa for a few hours after leaving Lucca and bound for Cortona, and it looked like Pisa was worth at least a couple nights, too. The time in Pisa was worth it, and we didn’t even climb the leaning tower.

When is your tour? Height of summer, or later in the fall? Or May?

It is in mid-September

We stayed in Lucca for four nights and never went outside the walled city. Lots to see and do!
Rent bikes and ride the city walls.

Lucca is close to Pisa and also La Spezia where you could get a local train into Cinque Terre. It's a quite popular town.

We LOVED Lucca. In fact, when we come back to Italy for another trip, we will definitely make sure we get back there. I think Pisa was close, so you can do a quick day trip, but I would recommend staying in Lucca, not Pisa.