Riding the train to the walled city of Lucca on the Lucca-Aulla Lunigiana train line is one of my favorite things to do in Tuscany. The train meanders past mountains, rivers, and picturesque villages of the Lunigiana and Garfagnana regions, beautiful regions that few tourists visit. Yesterday, the spring scenery was fantastic; the rivers are full and the countryside is lush and green.

At the end of the scenic journey, the train arrives just outside Lucca's city walls. Lucca is flat so it's a great place for walking - you can even walk around the outside of the city on top of the walls or you can climb to the top of the Guinigi Tower for good views of the city. We usually spend the morning walking, then have a great lunch in one of Lucca's many good restaurants, and do a little shopping.

Although Lucca makes a good day trip from northern Tuscany, it also makes a good base for visiting the area. Here are top rated Places to Stay in Lucca .

Read more about Lucca in Lucca Travel Essentials on Europe Travel and find Lucca's location on our Tuscany Map.

What to See near Lucca:

• Barga - pretty hill town in the Garfagnana region
• Collodi - Pinocchio Park and Garzoni Gardens
• Pisa - the Leaning Tower and more
• Viareggio - Popular beach town