Pisa and Lucca

October 13-14

We had two more glorious days in Cinque Terre--exploring more towns: lots of hiking, lots of stairs, lots of food, lots of wine...you get the idea. Couldn't resist adding a couple more photos:

Hiking trails always start with steps!

Manarola at sunset

On Sunday morning, 10/13, we sadly said good-by to our Manarola apt. and hopped on the train to Pisa, only about an hour away. Glad we are here in what is technically the off-season (or pretty close to it) as we couldn't imagine more tourists! But no matter--it is impossible to diminish the grand-ness of the monuments in the "Field of Miracles", and yes the tower really does lean!

The main four structures in this complex are the tower (torre), a grand Duomo (huge cathedral), Baptistery, and the cemetery. There are some additional museums in the area as well...all beautifully poised on a giant lawn. While Gary commented on the amount of silly tourists trying to get their photos holding/pushing/kicking the tower, I made sure to do my part to support this iconic structure!

We had fun searching out this fresco from the 1300's that we learned about in our course: "Triumph of Death" by Buffalmacco, and we found it in the old cemetery.   

Triumph of Death

The Baptistery and Duomo were magnificent as well.

Pisa Baptistery

Another classic tourist pose

Pisa Duomo

Inside the Pisa Duomo

Beautifully carved pulpit in the Duomo

We thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon- topped off by a relaxing aperitivo on the hotel terrace. We stayed at an old-grand hotel on the right on the Arno: the Royal Victoria--was most likely something very special in its day.

Next day, Monday 10/14 up and off by bus to Lucca- a nearby town with a medieval historical center of town (centro storico), that is still fully encased by ancient walls. Favorite pastime is to walk or ride bikes on top of the walls--wide-enough to drive a car, but thankfully cars are not allowed. Lucky for us, the little B&B where we are staying had a few bikes available to borrow. Since it was raining a bit, we quickly mastered the skill of riding while holding an umbrella--something we saw the locals
do weaving in and out of pedestrians all over town!

Riding the path a-top the city wall

After returning the bikes, we searched out some of the towns attractions: their very own Duomo containing some art treasures, and since there is nearly a church on every corner, we had to check out the one in our neighborhood: Chiesa San Michele and discovered a painting by Fillipino Lippi there!

Filippino Lippi masterpiece

Chiesa San Michele in Lucca

Gary gets yet another cappuccino 

What better way to spend the evening in the birthplace of Puccini, than to go to a performance of Puccini's favorite aria's  and duets in concert as part of the ongoing Puccini Festival. Great encore to a great day-brava/bravo!