Lucca

Today we visited the old town of Lucca, it is known for the well-preserved Renaissance walls encircling its historic city centre. Broad, tree-lined pathways along the tops of these massive 16th - 17th century ramparts are popular for strolling and cycling. Neil and I walked the 4.2km circular walls. Outside the walls there were green parklands, and inside there is a labyrinth of streets and shops with many piazza’s.
We will miss the atmosphere of these towns, the buzz of Italian conversation, the quiet alleyways away from the main streets, the church bells, the tiny coffee’s, the old gentlemen & ladies riding their bicycles everywhere, even down the alleyways where all the tourists are. We are amazed at the people who ride their bikes on the busy roads and streets, we think they are taking their lives in their hands, but the ladies quite often have long skirts on, no helmets, shopping baskets out in front, they do it so often it is second nature.

Along the top of the wall today there was a market called Murabilia Mura in fiore, a gardening exhibition market. There were craftsmen, nurserymen, architects of the floral sector. Just as well I live on the other side of the world or I could have done some damage in that market. There was a Rotary stall, great to see how Rotary is spread across the world.

Tomorrow we head to Meina on the edge of Lake Maggiore for two nights.. Meina is only 30mins from Milan Malpensa airport where we drop off our lease car. Our day there will be spent cleaning the car out, and repacking as we have acquired quite a few more items we will have to transport home.もっと詳しく