So much to see, so little time .....

This way to the cathedral, Duomo, castle, museo, cemetary …….

 I knew coming over here that Europe was all about history but, my goodness, it is just amazing some of the buildings and artifacts that we have seen.

Montecatini Terme has turned out to be a good base point for exploring Tuscany. We found this great café where you stand at the bar and order vino or a beer and they bring you free happy hour appetizers, which are delicious and more than enough to feed you for supper. The food at that place is fantastic- and the vino and birra are not bad at all! The hotel has bicycles we can use (one gear), which are great for exploring the town with. 

The Torre E Palazzio Guinigi in Lucca that we climbed

The view from the top

Riding around the wall in Lucca

Monday we went to Lucca, which is a town full of churches and towers, and about 25 minutes away by train. We climbed to the top of one of the towers (256 steps) and were afforded a wonderful panoramic view of the city. The cool thing was that there are trees growing on the top of the tower. The old town of Lucca is surrounded by a wall that was built to fortify the town so we rented bicycles and biked around it. Very nice. I’d say it’s one of my favourite cities so far.

A satisfied shopper standing on the Ponte Vecchio Bridge in Florence

The next day we headed out to Florence. We went there early because we didn’t have reservations for the Accademia to see David and we didn’t want to wait in line for 2 hours. As it turned out, because we were there before 9:00 a.m., we only had to wait about 10 minutes. The statue of David was fantastic! I tried to convince Ira to surreptitiously take a picture but he was too chicken. One of the ladies who worked there was constantly bellowing "No pictures" but I saw quite a few people standing behind the pillar snapping a picture and quietly walking away without capturing her attention.  I had a wonderful time at the San Lorenzo leather market and managed to buy a leather jacket, purse and shoes. I was in heaven! That was my birthday present so I didn’t feel quite so guilty about it. The sales guys have their patter down pretty good, “Canada, eh”,  and you never know if they’re pulling your leg about the quality or not. They always make you feel like you got such a great deal after the haggling is over but I often feel like I have a big “S” on my forehead for “sucker”. The important part is that I love what I bought and they’re fantastic souvenirs – much better than the plastic bobble heads J.  There was a lady in the store from Edmonton and the coat she was trying on was 1,000 euros. (mine was much cheaper) She loved it but ended up leaving without it. Her husband was just shaking his head as she tried on coat after coat. According to him, she has lots at home, but none made in Florence! I wonder if she ever went back and bought it.

I saw a great sign yesterday –“ you can’t go a day in Italy without having gelato.”  We’ve been living by that motto and have still managed to keep the weight off – all those stairs we’ve been climbing!

Today we went to Pisa, which is about 40 minutes by train from where we’re staying. We only expected to be there for a few hours but were fascinated by the “magic square”, which houses the leaning tower of Pisa (the 5^th greatest wonder in the world) and a wonderful Duomo. We walked to the top of the tower (300 steps), which was fabulous. We ended up spending about 5 hours in the square as there were 3 buildings to go through and 2 museums. What a great sight. The cathedral was magnificent. Lots of the pictures and artifacts in Europe are very macabre (bones in religious vessels, crypts, pictures of people chopping heads off, etc., etc.). They were violent times in them thar days. We should count our lucky stars that we live in the peaceful society that we do.

Sue risking life and limb holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Pisa Piazza del Duomo

You can see the platform at the top

The view from the top

We discovered tonight that tomorrow is a big holiday for Italy – Republic Day. We’re going to the mercati in the morning (the market) and have spa appointments booked for the afternoon, including massages. I’m hoping to partake in the healing waters as well. My legs and feet are so looking forward to it.  Lots of people come here to drink the water but we were warned that there are repercussions and you need to check with your doctor first. It should be a good day all around and will be nice to relax for a bit rather than sightseeing.

On Friday we’re on our way to the Amalfi Coast.  We’ve booked a hotel in Sant’Agnello, which is a suburb of Sorrento (about a 10 minute walk but evidently it’s quite dangerous to walk on the road so we’ll take the train). We’re there for 5 nights so should have plenty of time to see the Isle of Capri, Sorrento, Posteano, Amalfi Coast, and Pompeii and Herculeum.  Ira has been waiting anxiously to see Pompeii and Herculeum. Everyone we’ve met who has been there has all raved about them. I understand the Limoncello is quite tasty from this region so we'll have to sample it for sure. The road along the Amalfi Coast is supposed to be quite hair-raising so it should be interesting to take the bus along there. Thieves abound in Naples and on the trains and buses down there so we’ll have to be extra vigilant.

Hope all is going well at home with everyone.  There’s a party going on downstairs with a live band so I’ve got to run!

Arriverderci!

Sue