Day 1: The Walls and the Holy Face

Morning: Rent a bicycle (Lucca's favorite means of transportation) and tour the entire Walls of Lucca: a 4 km elevated tree-lined avenue that encircles the historic center. Then descend to visit the Cathedral of San Martino, which houses the mysterious "Volto Santo" crucifix and the funerary monument of Ilaria del Carretto.
Lunch: Sample Tordelli Lucchesi, a fresh pasta stuffed with meat and topped with a flavorful ragù, accompanied by a glass of red wine from the Lucca hills.
Afternoon: Visit the Church of San Michele in Foro, with its soaring and intricate façade. Stroll along Via Fillungo, the elegant shopping street, admiring the Art Nouveau windows of the old cafes and shops.