Lucca, Italy

Capital City

With a population of just 88,798, Lucca is a quaint Tuscan town that trades convenience for charm. The city's historic walls and Renaissance architecture are undoubtedly beautiful, but navigating its bureaucracy can be a persistent headache. Frequent flooding is also a concern, as the municipality sits in a fertile plain along the Serchio River. Still, Lucca's deep artistic heritage - it's the birthplace of composers like Puccini - and vibrant festivals like the annual Lucca Comics and Games make it an alluring option for culture vultures willing to embrace the challenges of provincial Italian life.