first off, i would like to ask if anyone has been to lucca and what was your opinion of it? also, while i am planning my trip to italy and paris, i am having a little trouble deciding where to go and what to see. the guidebook i bought pretty much says that every town and cathedral and museum is some of the most beautiful in the world and not to be missed, i have yet to read this place is awful, don’t go there. i have an idea as far as large cities what i would like to see (venice, rome, paris and florence), but do you have any suggestions for smaller towns? i mean in your opinion, are there better towns to see than others? i know that these answers will vary with opinion, so i’m just asking yours. also, i did a search on this website and have seen suggestions for plenty of places in italy, but not alot of reasons why, so i guess i am asking why you chose that town. i’m interested in the art, architecture, culture, i’m pretty much open to everything. thanks for all your help!