Perhaps last weekend’s getaway best described that quote. We had no fixed plans, we could not even rent a car… we did not force ourselves to make it to the train station early.
We even thought it would be just a slumber Sunday since it showered most morning… but I did not fly all the way to Italy to miss Lucca.
Lucca…I have fallen in love.
The city is full of vaulting arches, great doors, Romanesque architecture. For someone who loves photography as much as I do, this place is the perfect place to be.
We entered the city at Porta San Pietro, one of the entries to the 16th century brick wall with perfect mansonry and walked along Passegiata della Murra. The wall streets over the city bastions are lined up with maples, acaccias and elms with terrific autumn scenery.
As soon we entered the city we just walked and walked with no specific direction and nor did we force ourselves to check the grand churches. We just wandered around following the flow knowing the place is circular and will not get lost.
Except for one exception; we looked for Torre Guinigi for which we do not need a map. 230 steps was all worth it as you can see the spectacular view of the city and the countryside.
As we were walking back to the train station we stopped around the antique market right in front of Santa Maria Cathedral. We browsed around and looked for a place for tea. Stephen remembered the coffee shop we saw at the bastion… it was great to walk under the huge trees after many months at sea to hear the leaves crunch under our feet.
Happily we sat down for an afternoon tea minus the cakes. Oh how I managed that! And we marvelled the scenery on the train ride back to Viareggio.
12 Comments
Bel racconto…rimarra sempre nel tuo cuore questo luogo evocativo di tante storie.
Sha, thank you for leading me to this link. Yes, I am in love already
what did u have there for lunch? i would like to go to lucca as well on a looong weekend.
lovely story and photos Sha
thanks for sharing, sha. =)
osso bucco …
ah I knew this … would love to have you one day as my traveling buddy!
you wanted travel photos and stories
I will be posting more!
What a wonderful weekend filled with freedom and surprises.
That’s a wonderful way to explore – without any predermination.
Excellent Photos.
Thanks for sharing
PS. I have another blog as well: (lot’s of Photos from many places around)
http://toraamusic.blogspot.com/
Hi! I love your blog and it is the first time I find something with the same idea as mine…I love the photos of Lucca; I’m from Siena but live in England. Where do you live?
Ciao
Francesca
hi! am a long-time lurker and would like to tell you how much i enjoy your pictures and stories. padayon, ayo-ayo diha!
Great photos, lucky for us you share your travel experiences. Take me there someday, Sha?