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LUCCA
We traveled from Capranica to Lucca with a few stops in between and stayed at another great place, A B&B in Lucca within walking distance of the walled city. The walls around Lucca old town remains intact as the city expanded and modernized over the years, unusual for cities in this region. As the walls lost their military importance, they became a pedestrian promenade which encircled the old town. Although they were used for a number of years in the 20th century for racing cars they are still fully intact today; each of the four principal sides is lined with a different tree species beautifully landscaped.
Lucca is an ancient and medieval city founded by the Etruscans and became a Roman colony in 180 BC. The rectangular grid of its historical center preserves the Roman street plan, and the Piazza San Michele occupies the site of the ancient forum. Traces of the amphitheater can also still be seen. To give you and idea on how Lucca fits in history in 56 BC Julius Caesar ,Pompey and Crassus reaffirmed their political alliance in here, almost 2000 years ago. In 1805, Lucca was conquered by Napoleon and he made his sister the Queen of Tuscany.
Some of us rented bikes from a bicycle store that was built in 1570 and others decided to hoof it around town. No bad decision here....both were good for seeing the city first hand. No bikes I am sure back in 1570 but they have made up for it now. Definitely a fun time riding around and getting the best view of the city from above. We peddled and played follow the leader Gary on the upper wall around the city first and then got brave and rode in the city center with all the tourist and traffic. It is an obstacle course on wheels....lots of laughs as we zing-zaged around. Of course all of us ate our way through this town. Italian food is still the best. Being close to Florence the shopping for quality things was no problem.
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| Italian cookies for the rode. |
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| First stop on our way to Lucca....we can't help ourselves. |
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| Ohhhh I like that ! |
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| Row 3 passengers |
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| Another stop along the way to Lucca |
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| Our director catching some rays. |
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| Max & Debbie enjoying standing ...beats sitting in the van |
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| Lucca at night |
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| We have mastered our packing skills |
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| Mary and the mailman |
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| Old town wall, not bad for 2000 years old ! |
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| Gary getting everyone in sync on the city map |
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| Wow ! statues with heads |
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| Nina says she hasn't ridden in 30 years....not sure I buy that...she rode to well. |
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| Lady Polizia |
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| Locals playing cards |
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| A fixer upper in progress...location location |
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| More statues with heads |
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| The blogger can ride a bike too |
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| Do I need to draw attention to the nylons ? |
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| Carolyn contemplating her next move. |
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| Grocery man....not in USA |
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| Yes, it is all about food here |
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| Bars on the windows from centuries past when evil lurked the streets |
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| Ahh they still had a couple of inches to spare |
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| My street |
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| Italian headlines are in large print..to get the message out |
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| 1570 bicycle shop |
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| meet our chef for the evening |
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| Got hair ? |
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| Check the price |
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| Where the hell are we ? |
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| Really in Italy ? |
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| No parking from 0 to 24 hour ...when can I park ? |
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| Good lunch place |
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| Temptations every where |
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| Check out the lady with the flower |
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| All these people are following her...part of a tour I guess ? We can't keep 9 people together. |
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| Lunch ? |
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| A Schwinn |
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| Ladies...Salon prices |
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| Ohhh look what I have ! |
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| Our dinner place |
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| And he didn't share it |
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