A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~Lao Tzu

Perhaps last weekend’s getaway best described that quote. We had no fixed plans, we could not even rent a car… we did not force ourselves to make it to the train station early.

We even thought it would be just a slumber Sunday since it showered most morning… but I did not fly all the way to Italy to miss Lucca.

Lucca…I have fallen in love.
The city is full of vaulting arches, great doors, Romanesque architecture. For someone who loves photography as much as I do, this place is the perfect place to be.

We entered the city at Porta San Pietro, one of the entries to the 16th century brick wall with perfect mansonry and walked along Passegiata della Murra. The wall streets over the city bastions are lined up with maples, acaccias and elms with terrific autumn scenery.

As soon we entered the city we just walked and walked with no specific direction and nor did we force ourselves to check the grand churches. We just wandered around following the flow knowing the place is circular and will not get lost.

Except for one exception; we looked for Torre Guinigi for which we do not need a map. 230 steps was all worth it as you can see the spectacular view of the city and the countryside.


As we were walking back to the train station we stopped around the antique market right in front of Santa Maria Cathedral. We browsed around and looked for a place for tea. Stephen remembered the coffee shop we saw at the bastion… it was great to walk under the huge trees after many months at sea to hear the leaves crunch under our feet.

Happily we sat down for an afternoon tea minus the cakes. Oh how I managed that! And we marvelled the scenery on the train ride back to Viareggio.