[Captain Ahab Jr]

What this thread needs is a little local knowledge which I can offer.

First things first, compliments on choosing Lucca as it's one of my favourite places within driving distance for me.

I am assumming you fly into Linate, if so get straight on the A1 Autostrada and head south. Italian autostrada's (freeways) can be quite exciting if you've never experienced one before. Only venture into the fast lane if you are comfortable driving at +100mph with a 6ft stopping distance to the car in front. If not the middle and slow lanes are a little less challenging.

Hopefully you will have survived the autostrada and now for the more relaxing part of the journey to Lucca. There are 3 choices for your drive down depending on how much time you will have, all are excellent routes with fantastic scenery.

Option 1 Turn off the A1 just before Parma (don't go through the centre of Parma or you will get a fine) and get on the SS62 as it goes. A Ducati Monster riding friend of mine was raving about this road and said it was the best local road he had ridden). Once the SS62 runs out then it's back to ok roads.

Option 2 As previously mentioned above by 'billjam'. This would be my favourite only because I live just off it, right at the very start of the 250km Ferrari mountain road test loop that they use when developing new cars. PM me if you would like some more details. Look out for a roman bridge on your righthand side on the last quarter of your trip, a very impressive piece of architecture. This is area is my Porsche playground!

Option 3 Lastly but not leastly you can get off further south at Bologna and drive down using the Bologna to Siena Mille Miglia route, this even has an alpine pass but not that you would notice as there are no mountains with snow to see. The road to get onto is the SP65 which runs parallel to the A1 autostrada from Bologna to Firenze (Florence).

Now for a things to do list, all easily done in a day from Lucca

Ferrari Galleria in Maranello, Ferrari's museum. There is a place just on your left as you drive in the car park that will hire you a Ferrari to drive. It can get expensive depending on how long and what you drive, it's about €300 per 30 mins, less time is cheaper). You will be able to choose from the 'cheaper' F430 to the more expensive 458 and 430 Scuderia or go cruising in a California. For me if you can afford to do 30 mins it's the better value as you will drive up to a place called Serramazzoni, this route has some the best corners around. If you do insist it's this route as bikers come to ride this road from as far as Naples but it can get a little busy. Think MotoGP on mountain roads and you'll get an idea of what to expect.

Ducati museum in Bologna. Museum tour is free and if you are a DOC member so is the factory tour. I would email them before to book a time. Also you should get 10% off merchandise from the shop just across the road from the factory. Another plus the girls doing the tours are lovely!

Lamborghini Museums, there are two the main one at the factory which is the official factory tour which I think you might also be able to get a museum tour too. Or the one I did which was very special as Mr. Lambo's nephew Fabio personally opened the museum for just me and a friend and he spent an hour going through the family collection which covers more than just cars (this museum has no affiliation with the Lamborghini cars as it's the families private museum).

Siena, beautiful city, perfect for exploring by foot, not to big not too crowded. On the way down it's worth stopping and spending time looking around San Gimignano with it 's stone towers and hilltop views.

Bologna, as Dottore mentioned, not well know but a beautiful city, there is a tower to climb for a city view or a pilgrims walk upto the church which is a few miles and has a covered walkway from the city centre to the top. If you don't do the Mille Miglia route on your way to and from the airport you could drive it and do the Ducati things in one day.

Florence, crowded with a nice dome and not a lot else.

Pisa, crowded with a leaning tower and not a lot else

Cinque Terra, a must, 5 unspoilt, secluded small coastal villages with railway connecting them all. Take you hiking boots for cliff side scenic walks through olive groves between villages.

I could go on but for me knowing a little about the area I would leave one day for you to turn your sat-nav off and choose a direction inland away from Lucca and go and explore in that direction for at least 2 hours. Then when hunger starts to set in find an 'Agriturismo', you will see signs for these all over the place off the main toursit trails. They are very small family run farm resturants that serve only locally raised/grown organic food. Usually the menu is fixed and is about 5 courses and an all you can eat job for about €30 each. You will not find fresher, tastier, more authentic food in northern Italy and probably the areas best kept secret. If you see places with signs saying tourists welcome and menu's in English, keep looking as it will be nowhere near as good as an Agriturismo.

One last thing, it will be hot, hot, daytime temps will be around 90-100F with high humidity so no need for anything long sleeved or to keep rain out.

Hope this helps and have a safe journey.

Stephen (founder and sole member of the Maranello Porsche Owners Club)