The city of Lucca has always been my favourite. Not

The city of Lucca has always been my favourite. Not only because it is only 25 minutes away from our home and I go there at least two or three times a week, but also because you do not feel like a "tourist" there. Certainly, there are always some groups of tourists visiting the wonderful churches and old buildings within the ancient city walls, but it is not the same feeling that you get in other Italian cities, such as Florence, where you sometimes feel overwhelmed by the number of people visiting it.
In Lucca, you see plenty of locals riding their bicycles, buying bread and cakes, having their coffee and chatting amongst themselves. If you ask for directions or advice, they will gladly oblige and they will smile.
A few months ago, there was a great article published by Italy Magazine that gives you an excellent summary of what the city is all about:
www.italymagazine.com/italy-featured/tuscany/golden-lucca
One of the things I enjoy the most in Lucca is shopping along Via Fillungo, checking the shops in the Amphitheatre and having coffee at Caffè de Simo, where Puccini used to go.
A lady from Bagni di Lucca has a very interesting blog on the region and she recently published this article on unusual food shops in Lucca:
https://tuscanyvillarosalena.wordpress.com/2012/02/08/the-charm-of-luccas...
And the shop at Via San Paolino that she features is an incredible place!