Lucca, Italy

Like much of Italy, Lucca has a history of domination by a long list of invaders and rulers. Despite all, Lucca was able to construct a beautiful city that significantly impacted architectural history beginning in the Lombard era.

Even though Lucca is home to some of Tuscany's most magnificent medieval churches, towers, and priceless art treasures, its main draw for tourists is that it's a lot of fun to be there. The sculptures in the cathedral and the carved and inlaid marble of San Michele in Foro's façade are stunning, and it's fun to climb the tall Guinigi Tower for a bird's-eye view. But where else will you discover a tree-lined garden at the top of a medieval tower or a serene promenade above the town's perimeter walls? Take a seat at a café table inside the oval plaza, and watch the lemon-yellow buildings built from the remains of a Roman arena. A wooden sculpture of Christ is brought through the old town's cobblestone streets to the Duomo during the Festa di Santa Croce, which takes place in Lucca in September and immerses the area in candlelight.