A year of sport
Vacations can be a time to experience your favorite sport in a new environment and with new landscapes.
To keep you active and enjoy a moment of relaxation, and to get to know the region from a different perspective, we offer a series of events that combine physical activity with cultural experiences, traversing the Tuscan hills that are the envy of the entire world.
This year…
On foot
Let's start from Lucca's historic center, or rather, from the ring road that surrounds it, acclaimed by joggers as the most beautiful place in the world to jog.
Every Saturday morning, you can join the Walls of Lucca Park Run, the non-competitive event that takes place simultaneously in parks in over 20 countries around the world.
Warm-up and then, each at their own pace, for the lap of the Walls of Lucca, timed and supervised by volunteers and instructors.
It takes place at the beginning of March and crosses the landscapes of the vineyards of the Montecarlo hill, the March of the Vineyards, With a long line of thousands of participants, running through the rows of vines that will later produce the area's DOC wines is good for the mind and body.
There are itineraries for everyone, of 2, 6, and 10 kilometers, and victory is not the goal, but rather walking, perhaps making new acquaintances, among the gentle, fresh landscapes of the hills and, to regain strength, it ends with a pasta party.
Walking in company through the Lucca hills, even with a stroller and baby on board, and the family dog. For the joy of trekking and nature walks, there's the San Pancrazio and surroundingsIn April, a non-competitive walk along a route that passes through the parks of the historic Villas of Lucca. The shorter 3km route reaches the park of Villa Querci, usually closed to the public, before returning to the starting point.
The second route, 8km long and more complex, winds its way through the parks of the villas Oliva, Grabau, Petri, La Badiola, where there is a refreshment point, and La Specola, climbing up the hilly areas of San Pancrazio and Marlia before returning.
A end of April, instead, everyone is ready for the March of the Villas The route follows hilly paths along three routes of 10, 16, and 26 km, passing through the extensive parks of Lucca's villas, which are occasionally open to allow participants to pass. Along the route, you'll find refreshment points where you can refuel. Among well-known and lesser-known villas, museums, and residences, the route passes through 11 villas, in this order: Villa Del Vescovo, Villa Orlando, Villa Mansi, Villa Lazzareschi, Villa Torrigiani, Villa Brughier, Villa Guinigi, Villa Badiola, Villa Reale, and finally "La Specola," a former astronomical observatory built by Maria Luisa of Bourbon and designed by architect Lorenzo Nottolini in the early 1800s. From its square, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Lucca plain.
From Versilia to the Lucca plain, the Francigena Tuscany Marathon (FTM) This is the first marathon on the Via Francigena in Tuscany, following the ancient Sigeric route, to be traveled exclusively on foot. A non-competitive, recreational, and physical activity walk, open to all walkers, with four routes of increasing difficulty of 10, 11, 22, and 43 km, crossing the municipalities of Pietrasanta, Camaiore, Massarosa, and Lucca, areas rich in natural and artistic beauty, from Little Athens to the Cretan labyrinth, in the colors and scents of the September Tuscan.
“…the first kiss of April is mine…” sang Mimì in Boheme. Cycling accompanied by a great soundtrack is a unique experience to have along the Puccini cycle path, on the days of Puccini Classic Cycle, on the first weekend of AprilA journey suitable for everyone through the places of the great Maestro, with visits to local Puccini museums and two circular routes departing from Lucca and Viareggio, reaching the two shores of Lake Massaciuccoli with a boat ride and plenty of live music along the way.
La May 1st Padulata It's a 20-kilometer-long festival, on both asphalt and dirt roads, from the center of Porcari to the Padule. Anyone can participate, provided they have a bicycle of any kind. Children are welcome, and there's room for everyone. The ride is non-competitive and is held at a strictly "tourist" pace.
Along the way, you can admire truly unusual natural scenery and animal species, particularly the wading birds that populate the numerous ponds present in the spring. Upon arrival, a refreshment of bread and chocolate will be served to replenish all participants' energy.
For vintage lovers in August there is the Vinaria, with two routes, "the divine" at 43 kilometers and "the intrepid" at 78 kilometers. The name is associated with the "Via Vinaria," which passes through the hills of Montecarlo and Lucca and enters wineries for wine tasting. The Vinaria is not competitive, but combines passion, fun, nature, and scenery, with the goal of pedaling in company and enjoying good food. The ride is open to all, provided they ride a pre-1987 racing bike with toe clips and straps, brake cables mounted externally to the handlebars, gear shifters on the down tube, and appropriate clothing.
You're not a big athlete, but you like following sports. This is the program for you!
Vintage cars travel the age-old roads of the Grancontessa and pass through the stunning landscapes of central Italy. Ancient castles, rolling green hills, and charming villages. In April, the international supertourist event, the Lands of Canossa, along the 670 km route, it passes through Lucca and its squares and travels along the tree-lined avenues of its walls where one of the 25 time trials for historic cars from 1919 to 1976 takes place. An intriguing combination of dream cars and gentlemen drivers around the world.
In June International Athletics MeetingThe best athletes meet on the Moreno Martini field in Lucca in one of the stages of the international circuit of the World Athletics Continental Tour. A men's and women's program with the traditional Grand Gala for Newcomers, an event reserved for the youngest athletes on the national scene.
Nationally renowned pilots and expert crews compete in August in the Lucca City Cup Through the Lima Valley and then across the Lucca plain with its rolling hills, reaching the Renaissance walls of Lucca. Six special timed stages, in Pizzorna, Boveglio, and Bagni di Lucca, for 65 kilometers of pure competition and adrenaline.
Four men's teams from the top A1 basketball league will compete in four games on the parquet of the Via delle Tagliate sports hall. Baskets, blocks, and spectacular high-level plays will be on display in September for the Carlo Lovari Basketball Trophy.