We are feeling the need to leave the big city of Florence to escape the crowds of people that come here to see the beautiful works of art this city is famous for. We decide to go to Lucca for a daytrip. It is about 90 minutes away by train. It also turns out that Greg and Leslie will also be going to Lucca tomorrow. They will spend a couple of nights there. The coincidence continues as we learn that they will be arriving in Lucca at about the same time as we will.
Lucca is 90 minutes by train northwest of Florence. It is an old walled city. The walls are approximately 4 KM long. Inside the walls there are a few towers left from the middle ages. One tower has trees planted on the top. A precursor to the green roofs and skyscraper trees that are becoming more popular today.
Lucca also is the birthplace of Puccini. They proudly display a statue in the piazza of his home in Lucca. Also displayed are the many operas that he has composed.
As is after 2pm and we are hungry, we stop at a little restaurant near the Church of San Michele in Forno. It is a beautiful church with a marble facade in the center of Lucca. We find a shady spot as the sun is very warm. They have wifi, the network and password are on the table. Interestingly the password is “ilpeschino”. The English translation is “The Fish” Oh my God!! We can hardly believe this. Immediately Stu, The Travelling Fish sits at the table with us. Lucca is a smaller town, but for us to randomly pick this restaurant was pretty amazing. They also have an “Aperitf of the house “[peschino)”. It is obvious that I need to order this. It arrives and it’s recipe is a secret. With Stu on the table we receive the apreitif. The server mentions the beautiful fish we have at our table. We all had a taste of the peschino. A toast to our Stu!!
We make our way to the Piazza Anfiteatro. This was a Roman amphitheatre was mined for building stone. It’s oval remained as a base for medieval houses. It is an oval shaped Piazza with 4 gates or doors into it. It is lined with cafes and restaurants. A very cool photo from above. Very cool from the ground as well.
As we get closer to the tower with the trees we come upon Piazza S. Gregorio. Greg Ross is everywhere!!
We have had a very full day. We are all a bit tired, maybe some are exhausted. Lindsey and I have booked a train for 7:30. It is earlier than that, but since no one has checked out tickets yet, we decide to head to the train station and try to get an earlier train. On the way we walk through a tunnel in the walls of Lucca. The path brings us to the outside of the walls where we get to appreciate their shape and massiveness. As we get to the train station we realise that a train to Florence is just about to leave. We get to the correct platform and board the train and are off withing 3 minutes. Pretty well timed.
As we arrive back in Florence we feel we need gelato. Making our way to the Piazza di Santa Maria Novella we find a perfect little gelato shop, with benches in front. The shade of the evening prevents the gelato from melting as quickly as the other day. I have discovered that the Meloni flavour is now my favourite. I used to love lemoni, but I now prefer the melon.
On our way back to our little apartment we see this little Peugot 2 seater (front to back) parked this way. This is not something we see at home. The parking in Europe is mind boggling. Wherever you can fit a vehicle, it seems that you can park it there!!
This day, as every day since arriving in Italy has been amazing!! 🥰😍❤️