Tuscan Hill Towns Day 5
Tuscan Hill Towns
DAY 05 - May 09, 2005 - Explore Lucca and Overland to Pisa - Evening Surprise
From Gennie: Yesterday was a perfect Mother's Day, we were able to be with Eduardo and his friends in the Renaissance City of Florence!!! Our afternoon and evening were fantastic - just being together was a gift. But a very special delight was a present I received, an Italian charm bracelet with four charms and plenty of space to collect the memories of my life.
We had breakfast at 7:45 and were ready to go at 8:45. Everyone was on time and our bus was just down the street, a 48 passenger bus so we all had our own seat, great for sightseeing.
We began our road trip to Lucca just in time to hit all of the Monday morning traffic. Giulia gave us a brief history of the independent city states and explained how we would see "recycled" marble and building stones that were reused after the pagan monuments had been destroyed to build the Christian churches.
We headed out of town on the same route we had come in from the airport. Although it was warm, the sky was overcast with dark gray clouds covering the Tuscan Hills. She gave us more information on the present day government and the recent elections that had just been held.
We stopped to pick up our day guide, Simone and then traveled west on the main highway heading toward the Mediterranean Sea. As we passed the toll booth on the outskirts of the city, we began to see the trademark tall cypress trees of Tuscany. Many times there were large groves which are now the remains of forgotten graveyards of the Roman era. We passed small gardens as well as large groves of fruit trees and vineyards. This flat valley is also home to many large nurseries where ornamental plants and trees are grown.
Simone gave us a brief history of Lucca as well as presented the idea that Lucca is a very old city with the newest building constructed in 1870. We entered the city walls and had the opportunity to climb the ramparts and see their width and construction. Within the old city walls, bicycles, few cars, claim the narrow streets, which are presided over by 15th - and 16th -century red brick ramparts. These continue to keep out traffic and other hectic trappings of the modern world. Lucca offers architectural delights such as its churches in the Pisan Romanesque style, with ornately patterned facades of green, grey, and white marble.
Simone helped us explore this remarkably well-preserved city with a walking tour along streets that were laid out by the ancient Romans. The importance of Lucca was a stop along the trade route for merchants and pilgrims to see the Holy Countenance, a representation of Christ carved on a piece Cedar of Lebanon wood. There is a legend that says the statue was carved right after his death on the cross but dumped into the sea to avoid persecution of the followers of Christ. Miraculously it showed up in the city of Lucca and has been a symbol of the city since 900's. We also saw many of the 100 churches of the city.
At 12:20 Simone said goodbye to us and Giulia gave us instructions for the rest of the afternoon. We left the group and found a small local pizza bar where only workers were getting their hardy noon meal. We happened to meet Simone there so we knew it would be good. We were able to order a pizza with ½ anchovies & capers and ½ Italian sausage - somewhat unusual as they are not used to splitting the pizza like this. But the people were very nice and we were able to have a great meal while watching many of the townspeople and tourist walk by the windows.
At 2 PM we met at the main plaza and walked back to the bus outside the gates of the city. We left at 2:30 and continued west to the city of Pisa. This portion was not on our agenda, but because we were so close, Giulia offered this extra side trip for only 10 Euros more. We all took her offer. On the way she told us of the history of the Leaning Tower and how experts have tried to stabilize and correct the degree of the tilt. In 2001 it underwent a major renovation and is now out of danger but continues to lean, of course, because it is a universal landmark of the city and Italy.
On our way back to Florence we traveled on part of the original Apian Way, a Roman route which sent cargo across Italy. The roads were originally lined with umbrella pine to offer shade to the travelers, some of these trees can still be seen along the route.
We arrived back in Florence at 6 PM and had until 7:15 to take a quick shower, work on pictures and dress for dinner. Our bus met us to take us across the Arno River to the White Boar Restaurant where we had dinner together before our evening discovery. We walked a short distance to the British Institute of Florence where we were treated to an evening of Italian Musical Favorites by a soprano and a pianoforte. The highlight of the evening (NOT) was listening to the men of the group who got up to sing with Halina and Bernardo. We did Volare, O Sole Mio, and Funiculi Funicula. The women all agreed that the men should not give up their day jobs.
We returned home at 11 PM and were met by Eduardo and Ciça who wanted to say their goodbyes and wish us a happy trip. We worked on the Journal and then went to bed after midnight for a 7 AM wakeup call.
Accommodations: Strozzi Palace Hotel Meals: B
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