Easter in Tuscany is always a good idea!
Monday, April 14, 2025,
From the candle-lit streets of Camaiore to the sweet Easter treats of Lucca and Pisa and the countryside charm of Pistoia — discover ancient traditions, local flavors, and unforgettable landscapes during your Easter getaway.
Solemn rituals and timeless charmIn the heart of Lucca’s countryside, every three years, the village of Camaiore hosts the Triennale del Cristo Morto, a moving nighttime procession involving the entire community. 17th-century wooden statues, thousands of handmade oil lamps, and a powerful silence transform the old town into a glowing path of devotion and reflection.In Vico Pisano, Good Friday is marked by a traditional live Via Crucis that winds through the medieval streets. Across the provinces of Pisa and Pistoia, ancient confraternities still bring the Passion to life with dramatic reenactments, songs, torches, and period costumes.
A journey through Easter flavorsBut Easter in Tuscany is also a feast for the palate, thanks to a variety of local pastries and desserts, each unique to its area.In Lucca and the Garfagnana, the star is the Pasimata: a sweet or savory bread loaf flavored with anise seeds, symbolizing sharing and spiritual unity.In Versilia, the undisputed stars are the homemade tarts: filled with custard, ricotta, semolina, or rice and chocolate. The most beloved? The rice and chocolate tart, also called Torta coi Becchi (tart with beaks) for its signature crimped edge made of pastry.In the Pisa area, a similar version is known as the Torta coi Bischeri, enriched with raisins, candied fruit, and spices. In Massa, the tradition is a hearty rice cake, while in Pistoia, Easter gifts often include scole, sweet anise-flavored buns.Don’t miss the Quaresimali, cookies shaped like alphabet letters – still found in local bakeries – perfect for a sweet souvenir.
Easter Monday: legends and countryside picnicsIn Tuscany, Easter Monday is all about outdoor trips, shared meals, and old legends.In Lucca, the day is known as the Pellegrino’s Day, inspired by a local legend of the Risen Christ wandering door to door, seeking hospitality and testing people’s generosity.To this day, many locals mark the occasion with a traditional walk to Santallago, in the Pisan Hills: a festive hike with friends, boiled eggs rolled in the grass for fun, rustic picnics featuring roasted lamb, and spontaneous races to the hilltop.A growing favorite for Easter holidaysIt’s no surprise that Tuscany ranks among the top destinations for Easter travelers. While iconic cities like Florence, Pisa, and Lucca draw visitors from across Europe, it’s the charming villages and local customs that truly enrich the experience.Blending faith, nature, and flavor, Easter in Tuscany is the perfect occasion to slow down, savor, and be surprised.
Looking for the ideal place to stay during your Easter break in Tuscany?Take a look at the wide selection of charming homes on tuscanhouses.com and find the perfect one for you!
Lucca: a city on a human scale
Monday, March 17, 2025,
If you're planning a visit to Lucca, here’s a practical and engaging guide to discovering its wonders: from churches to palaces, from museums to towers.
Lucca is the perfect destination for a long weekend. It’s a compact city, which you can cross in less than an hour from Porta Santa Maria to Porta Elisa. But its true charm unfolds when you explore it at a leisurely pace, especially in spring, when flowers bloom and the setting sun paints its majestic walls in a warm red hue.The Walls of Lucca: a walk through historyThe Renaissance walls, a UNESCO heritage site, are the ideal starting point for exploring the city. Walking or cycling along them offers a unique panorama of towers, churches, and red rooftops. It’s an unmissable experience for photography lovers and anyone seeking a relaxing moment immersed in history.Piazza dell’Anfiteatro: the beating heart of the cityOne of Lucca’s most iconic symbols is Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, built on the ruins of an ancient Roman theater. It still retains its elliptical shape and some remnants of the original walls. It’s the perfect spot for a break at one of the many cafés that surround it, offering a unique and evocative atmosphere.Lucca: the city of towers and churchesIn the Middle Ages, Lucca boasted as many as 130 towers. Today, two remain open to visitors:Torre Guinigi, famous for its rooftop garden featuring centuries-old holm oaks that rise above the city and can be seen from every corner. Climbing its 230 steps rewards visitors with a spectacular view of the city and the surrounding hills.Torre delle Ore, which still houses its ancient mechanical clock, one of the most fascinating in Tuscany.Lucca’s churches are a treasure trove of art and spirituality. Three are particularly worth a visit:San Michele in Foro, with its incredible façade decorated with arches and bas-reliefs. At the top stands the Archangel Michael, with a legend tied to a mysterious precious stone embedded in his statue.The Cathedral of San Martino, home to the Volto Santo, a wooden crucifix venerated for centuries. Inside, you’ll also find the famous sarcophagus of Ilaria del Carretto, a masterpiece by Jacopo della Quercia.The Basilica of San Frediano, with its golden mosaic on the façade and the chapel of Santa Zita, the city’s patron saint, whose incorrupt body is displayed in a glass case.Giacomo Puccini: the Genius of LuccaLucca is also the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini, one of the greatest opera composers of all time. His birthplace in Piazza Cittadella is now a museum, where visitors can learn anecdotes about his life and see the instruments he used to compose masterpieces like La Bohème, Tosca, and Madama Butterfly. For music lovers, the Church of San Giovanni hosts concerts dedicated to his works.Palazzo Pfanner: a corner of eleganceBuilt in 1660, Palazzo Pfanner is a Baroque gem with a magnificent Italian-style garden adorned with mythological statues and fountains. It’s a perfect spot for a romantic stroll or to immerse yourself in an atmosphere of bygone times.Discover Lucca with us!Visiting Lucca is not just a journey through art and history but an immersive experience filled with legends and traditions. Every corner hides a fascinating detail, and every street tells a story.The best way to experience the city is to stay for a while, choosing accommodation in the heart of the historic center or in one of the splendid villas in the surrounding countryside.Find the perfect home for your stay at Tuscan Houses!