28 May Lost in Lucca
By Taylor Nietsch via Danielle’s account:
For our free day from Florence Danielle and I chose to travel to Lucca in Tuscany. My desire to travel to this city started after my first time going on the Italy trip. Upon coming home, I adopted a cat 3 months post trip and wanted his name to have something to do with Italy. Settling on Luca it has been on my bucket list to make it to this city ever since. However, what I did not expect was just how much this city would touch me. To start, Danielle and I made a conscious decision upon arrival that we were not going to buy a map. This was our free day so we did not want to be consumed with where we are going and what we had to do. We figured it would be much better to let ourselves get lost and let the city take us where it wanted us to go. This was the best decision we could have made. As you can see by the pictures above this city is absolutely breathtaking and the few photos I chose do not do it justice. The city is entirely walled and one of the few walled cities with its original walls perfectly still preserved. This means there is still only one way in and out that greets you with beautiful flowers and landscaping. Upon passing through the gates you and placed on the walking path that goes the entire way around the city. However, this is no tiny little trail. It is a gorgeous tree lined pathway that overlooks the city walls and is landscaped to perfection. It is almost like a park and takes about an hour to make it the whole way around. Danielle and I only walked through path a short time before venturing to get some lunch. While wandering we settled on a cute cafe called palazzo di Lucca. The staff here were so friendly and I enjoyed a delicious pasta with buffalo mozzarella. Prior to leaving I asked our server Paolo where he recommended we should we if we were only in Lucca for a day. I handed him my phone and he wrote in my notes a bunch of places we could see with street names which was very kind and helpful! We were off again to find more fun things to do. One of the most famous things to do in Lucca is climb the well known tower with the rooftop trees. When we finally found it we just HAD to do it. What I did not anticipate where my multiple anxiety attacks. I have a HUGE fear of heights and the climbing stairs in this towers are slotted and more open than we thought they would be. I had to take it slow and take a few breathers but with support of others climbing the tower and percerverance I was so proud and accomplished upon reached the top! For those thinking about climbing this tower but have a fear of heights, if I can do it so can you! The views you see of the city on the way up and at the top alone are worth it. It was a great experience and I’m glad we did it. Two of my pictures about are from climbing the tower and from at the top. After a lot of aimless walking and a delicious dinner in th city center (with bellini’s) we mad our way back toward the front of the city where w saw a cute gelato place on our way in. The unique thing about this gelato shop were the swings you could sit and eat your gelato on! This was something quirky we have only seen in Lucca. Overall, we had an amazing day enjoying this hidden gem of Tuscany. Most people who do day trips from Florence do the typical touristy things like Pisa, wine tours, Sienna, or trip more toward the coast. Since Lucca is more untraveled there was very little tourists and was the perfect relaxing escape for the day from the tourist hustle and bustle often in Florence. As much as I love Florence, and it will always have a place in my heart, Lucca left an imprint on , I hope to some day return to explore more.
