Tuscany like a Local — Local services in Lucca

While planning our trip to Lucca, my husband and I looked for a food tour to start our month-long stay. We found this tour on Viator and made the booking. I am so glad we started off our stay this way. The small size of our group (my brother, his girlfriend, my husband, me and one other very congenial person comprised the entire group) made things very personal. Our tour guide, Chiara, was very friendly and we found out we had descended from families originating in Belluno. Chiara was not only very friendly, but knowledgeable and able to answer any questions we had. The tour started at the Taxi stand in front of the train station, proceeded across the street to a map where we were introduced to the walls, the layout and the founding history of Lucca. We then proceeded to climb the ramp to the wall where Chiara spoke about the whys and ways the walls were constructed and used. The tour then continued into the small streets and alleys of Lucca with detailed commentary about the history of all the main parts of Lucca. And, of course, we stopped along the way to sample a typical Italian breakfast of sweets and coffee at a local café/bar and while in the Anfiteatro sampled drinks and a mixed meat and cheese board with bread. Both were delicious. Chiara not only told us about history but also present-day Italian culture, highlighting the local Lucca customs. I highly recommend this tour over the larger, possibly less expensive mob tours you will see. Well worth the little extra cost and a...

What a unique and fantastic way to experience one of the most spectacular smaller cities in Tuscany! Chiara was a superb guide, knowledgeable and fun, sharing history and stories that really satisfy a nerd like me and my partner (she's not as nerdy).

To start, Chiara met us at the Lucca train station which was very easy. Taking my partner and I along the walls of the city on our bikes she regaled us with the complex and interesting history of the city and its development. Attentive to our needs, we stopped frequently to admire the beautiful views and architecture. Hopping on and off of the walls we went into the city to admire gorgeous buildings and wonderful food. She took us into old tunnels and thru secret alleys ending with some of the best Gelato I had while in Italy. She also took some great photos for us!

This experience was well worth it and one of the best I've done. Intimate, stunning and informative this hit all the marks and Chiara was fun and interesting. Once done we dropped off the bikes and wandered around the city square until our departing train. Truly a wonderful experience! Oh and all the food and bikes are all included in the cost, so you aren't dropping Euros at every stop.

Highly recommend this experience and Chiara in particular to get one of the most singular...

We toured with Chiara today, and I wanted to write a review right away to enthusiastically recommend her! We could not have asked for a better guide. First of all, her English is very good, which was a big plus for us! She put us at ease right away. And if you're considering this tour, you should know -- this is SO much more than a food tour. We sampled some yummy local treats along the way, yes, but we learned so much as we walked around the city. Chiara is very knowledgeable about Lucca's history, and she pointed out many interesting features we would never have noticed or understood on our own. A tour like this takes you beyond the guidebook version of a city. There's just nothing like getting the perspective of a local person, to help you really get a feel for a place. Lucca is a fascinating city, and a visitor can appreciate it all the more by touring with Chiara or one of the other guides she works with. After the tour, Chiara even gave us a list of recommended restaurants, gelaterias, etc. You won't regret booking a tour with this kind...