Life in Lucca….

The “kid” has an eye for photography of real life. She has become the official photographer for our short hiking trips in Tennessee or longer shopping in Italy. She is actually quite good-

We love Lucca-we have visited many times and is really the “home base” when we visit the flat. We never get tired of seeing the different festivals, shops and new exhibits in Lucca. One day I want to retire in Lucca-The town is so self sufficient. Surrounded by the historic walls the town has all you need and always has a great energy about it without being tooo crowded. Lucca has amazing sites and is known for the many churches,museums and towers. It also is the home to the Puccini Music Festival all summer and the world’s largest Comic Festival each Fall. Most tourists find Lucca on their second trip to Italy or just a quick visit since it is only 20 minutes from Pisa and Pisa airport. Therefore the town is mostly locals, service is great, it seems to be a “real Tuscan” thriving town that I could call home one day. The schools are known to be excellent. The train and  bus lines will take you anywhere you want to go, and it is a quick 20 minutes to the beach!

I also love that most people ride bikes all over town or stroll to where they need to get to. Cars are actually not allowed without a special sticker and there is no where to park even if you had permission. I say this is why Italians can eat what they want cause they get out amd walk more than we do!  The town is actually much bigger than it seems-getting from the Duomo to the ampitheatre is quite a walk-but you get to pass San Michelle and the upscale shopping district and every coffee bar known to man on the way!

While wondering one Sunday we came across the monthly antique festival. One day I dream of renting a truck or a few men(ha) so I can actually purchase and deliver (the tough part) some furniture. The festival covered two piazza areas-this think is HUGE! If you travel to Lucca I encourage you plan to include this…you can find everything from shoes, furs, linens, toys, mirrors, food and of course real antiques-not the junk we have here in America. In Tennessee an antique is considered anything over 30 yrs old-HA-in Lucca antique is 1000 yrs old! Also-handmade item like the lovely wood items below made out of olive wood. My hubby loves little boxes to hold trinkets so we got one for him to take home. She was a lovely local artisan. There are many…

As we wandered around the alley ways to wind ourselves back to the walls of Lucca we found some amazing things….art, doors, window shops….Here are a few of my “kids”  picstures that day

This used to be a Roman square.

Crafts from local olive trees.

Doesn’t she have a great eye for photo’s?

Back alley art.

Antiques and a few raindrops.

Almost Easter.

Serious door….

About Melonie

A busy Managing Real Estate Broker, active soccer Mom, professional volunteer, missionary wannabe. Living in the Cherokee National Forest area of Tennessee, vacation in the Apuan Alps of Italy...found rural Tuscany and love to talk about it!
This entry was posted in antiques, Bagni Di Lucca, Food, History, Italy, Lucca, Things to do, Travel Tips, Tuscany. Bookmark the permalink.

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