We were off to Pisa on the 9:37 a.m. train, arriving at 10:30. We strolled through part of the city, crossed the Arno river and found ourselves right there in front of the leaning tower! We decided on a meeting time and scattered to eat, take photos and shop . . . and there were hundreds of folks doing the same thing! After a short bus ride we were in the charming city of Lucca. The old city is completely surrounded by a fortified earthen wall built in the 1500's that's 2.5 miles around, ten feet wide with a walking and biking path. We loved the plazas, churches and cafes too! After several hours there, we boarded the train again for our journey back to Florence. It was a beautiful sunshine filled day and a good time was had by all. More later!
I HAVE SET UP A NEW PHOTOBLOG SITE FOR THE 2014 TOURS. YOU CAN STILL SEE PHOTOS FROM 2008 TO 2013 HERE. TO VIEW THE LATEST TOURS GO TO: WWW.INTUSCANYWITHPATRIZIA.BLOGSPOT.COM
Si, Siena! - Yes! It's Off to Siena
We boarded a 10 am bus for our day trip to Siena - home of the famous Palio horseraces and St. Catherine (parts of her are still there!). It was a little cooler today even though we went south for about an hour and a half. Our first stop in Siena was San Domenica Church were we saw Catherine's mummified thumb and head! There were swarms of people in the beautiful Piazza Campo and we joined right in. The catheral (aka The Duomo) was glowing in the Italian sunshine with it's new face lift (it was under scaffleling when I was here in February). Inside the "zebra-striped" marble columns and the inlaid marble floors telling stories of the Bible were amazing. Tried some ribollita for lunch (a thick bean and bread soup) and it was just right! A winding walk through the steep streets took us back to the bus station for our ride back to Florence. The bus filled up quickly and some folks were left standing on the sidewalk - but we made it! Celebrated Bobbie Acker's birthday today! More later!