Day 8 - Lucca

After my last breakfast in Florence I checked out and took a taxi to the train station to go to Lucca. It is an interesting fact that the regional trains do not announce any stops. So, I was only able to figure out that I was approaching Lucca by using trusted Google maps. Otherwise, I would have missed my stop. In Lucca I took a bus that brought me close to my hotel Palazzo Alexander (again thanks to Google maps). The hotel looked a little old-fashioned, decorated in style of Italian palazzo. They have an old-fashioned huge key that probably weighs 3 pounds – I guess the idea that the guests do not take the key with them when they leave.  After a short rest I went to explore the city. It was raining, so I borrowed a large umbrella from the hotel.  In spite of the rain I enjoyed wandering narrow medieval streets in Lucca – what a wonderful, well preserved old town. There were practically no tourists in the streets and I was able to soak in the genuine atmosphere of this wonderful medieval town. I ran into Pizzeria da Felice, which is a little mom-and-pop hole-in-the-wall place mentioned by Rick Steves. I was a bit peckish, so I popped in and had a slice or yummy pizza with prosciutto as well as slice of a local specialty cecina (a garbanzo-bean crape). After enjoying my quick and yummy lunch, I discovered the most wonderful gelateria called De’ Coltelli, just off Piazza San Michele.  I thought it was even better than our favorite Grom! I sampled the macadamia nuts and pistachio, simply divine!  My quest for the best gelato in the world reached a new high!

          My original plan was to go Pisa after spending some time in Lucca, however I had some troubles finding the train station. Google maps were of no help this time and refused to find it, even though I entered the correct name. I did manage to din the bus stop, from which I could go to Pisa, but the next bus was not for another hour and it was getting late. So, I decided to stay and enjoy Lucca.  I will see Pisa next time we return to lovely Tuscany. I had my dinner in the recommended Osteria Via San Giorgio, where I enjoyed tasty antipasto misto and some tender veal. I had a pleasant walk back to the hotel and was ready to get some rest.