Florence and Fiesole

Half way through our holiday in Lucca we took a day trip to Florence. This involved a slightly earlier start than usual so that we could catch a train at about 8.30am. (Fortunately there was a little cafe stand at the station where I was able to get my daily custard cream croissant!)

The train journey took about an hour and forty minutes. I’d love to say that I spent the trip soaking in the Tuscan countryside, but that would be a lie as I fell asleep shortly after pulling out of Lucca station, and only woke up when my head slipped from my chair and onto the window frame – ouch.

David

Having arrived in Florence, we headed straight for the Uffizi for which Mr P, in his wisdom, had booked tickets in advance so that we would not have to queue for over an hour to gain entry to the art gallery. Tickets collected, we wove our way through the corridors and rooms full of paintings. Unfortunately, one of the Rembrandts that Andy had wanted to see had been removed, and in it’s place there was just an empty space. However, there was plenty more to see and after a couple of hours we met up with Mr & Mrs P again and spent some time admiring the statues of David, Perseus and Medusa etc which are outside the gallery.

Ponte Vecchio

After a quick sandwich lunch, Andy and I headed towards the Ponte Vecchio which we had got a glimpse of from the museum. We battled against the crowds and made our way along the banks of the river towards the ramshackle bridge. Once there we ambled across it, admiring the views in both directions and trying not to be blinded by the sparkling, gold contents of the many jewellery shops which line both sides of the street.

Duomo

By this point in the day it was starting to get really hot – and we were feeling it. Reunited with Andy’s parents again, we headed to the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (also known as the Duomo – or cathedral if you prefer) which we had passed quickly on route to pick up our tickets that morning. This time around we were able to get closer and walk around it completely. It is so brilliantly patterned that it actually looks more like a model than a building.

We were all starting to feel the heat and beginning to flag when we were not even half way round the Duomo and so the decision was made to jump on board the next City Sightseeing bus that we spotted. It didn’t take long for one to appear so we all chose our seats on the open roof and enjoyed the cool breeze as we were driven past all the crowds and had the important sights pointed out to us through our trendy earphones.

Me & Mrs P in Fiesole

Gradually the bus moved away from the centre of the city and took us up into the surrounding hillside to a beautiful, peaceful little town called Fiesolo. The impression was given that this is where those with money choose to live – and I can see why! After having some drinks and food in the picturesque town square, we followed a sign which took us up a windy little street to the most amazing, panoramic view right across the city of Florence. It was absolutely spectacular and probably my favourite thing about the day.

View across Florence

Florence was an amazing place, but I’m really glad that we stumbled across Fiesole. It was nice just to get away from the crowds for a little while and it was certainly much cooler up in the hills. If you’re ever going to Florence (and I know that my mum and dad are soon!) then you should definitely take a trip there.

Catherine

Panorama Amphitheatre

This took me AGES! It’s three photos of the Roman amphitheatre in the centre of Lucca ‘glued’ together. If you click on the above image you should get a larger view.

Andy

Culinary Delights

We all know that I like to eat so I thought that my first post about our trip to Lucca should be about the food!

So many flavours, so little time

The first thing I noticed upon arriving at our fantastic apartment was that it was located directly opposite an ice cream parlour. For some unknown reason we didn’t get round to sampling the ice cream until we were about 3 days into our holiday, so in order to make up for lost time I went twice a day from then on! The chocolate flavour was an instant favourite of mine so I always chose that one and sampled various other flavours alongside it like panna cotta, pistachio and plain old vanilla. They were all delicious.

Every morning when we woke up, Andy’s parents would already have been out to a nearby bakery where they would stock up on pastries. My favourite was a custard cream filled croissant which was dusted with icing sugar - a great way to start the day.

An empty plate in Baralla (and also how I would look if I had a bowl cut!)

The original plan had been to make use of the excellent kitchen facilities and mainly eat at the apartment, buying produce from the local shops. However, it was soon evident that the shops were far more expensive than the restaurants and cafes. We often ate lunch in a little café on the corner of Piazza San Michele which served a beautiful ravioli dish for only 4 euros. Andy and I ate out one night at a restaurant called Baralla where he enjoyed another bowl of ravioli and I chose guinea fowl with a semolina type accompaniment – it was far nicer than it sounds! For dessert we both had a chocolate and ricotta torte which was just unbelievably good. This plus drinks was such a good price that we went back there on our last night with Mr & Mrs P. Unfortunately we were let down by the food not being quite as good as it had been earlier in the week, and a very long wait when the waiting staff seemed to forget about us for a while. Saying that, the place seems to have a good reputation as both nights a constant stream of folk were being turned away because there were no tables available. So, if you are ever in Lucca it might still be worth a try!

Mention must be made of the one meal we did eat at home. Mr P prepared a fantastic dish of roasted vegetables, potatoes and beef which was actually better than what we ate at Baralla on the good day – but as already mentioned, much more expensive so it was not an experience to be repeated.

You can’t go to Italy without eating pizza of course and we did that a couple of times, but I think for the first time ever I preferred the pasta dishes. I would honestly fly back to Lucca tomorrow just for some more of that 4 euro ravioli!

And finally … I had ploughed my way through the various menus keeping my eyes peeled for any mention of calamari (also known as squid). Reason being, that on my only other visit to Italy about 10 years ago I had my first encounter with the creature and loved it. This time, on our last day, when trying somewhere new for lunch I noticed that the day’s special was a calamari risotto. I ordered it immediately and it was delicious. If you are squeamish then look away now …

Calammmmmmmmari

I think that’s everything food related for now. I’ll try and write again soon with details of some of the things that we actually did!

Catherine

Lucca

Me and The Ponte Vecchio

We’re just back from a week in the historic heart of Lucca, an ancient walled town that dates back to Roman times, and wow what a place it is! A vast army of wooded, lush green hills encircles Lucca (the Apuan Alps my old boy informs me) which you could almost be forgiven for thinking belong in Scotland – that is of course until you look up and see the undisturbed bright blue sky!

Our rented apartment, a great combination of modern amenities and rustic charm, was ideally located just a short walk from the medieval walls and not too close to the centre of town to be disturbed by the noisy ‘passeggiata’. The apartment was four storeys up and came complete with a spacious balcony, so we had views to die for! We were certainly high enough to be blown away by the beauty of the terracotta hotch potch that is Lucca’s skyline.

Part of the view from our balcony

I want to leave any detailed holiday descriptions to Catherine, but thought I could briefly list the things I liked and disliked about the holiday:

Likes

• The narrow streets and high buildings made the town a great place to meander through
• The colour of the buildings – all different shades of oranges and yellows
• The weather – not too hot or humid, but in the thirties every day!
• The balcony – a great place to read and soak up the sun
• The town walls – lined by trees for the most part, so slightly cooler, the perfect place for a cycle run
• The bikes – a real, and surprising highlight. I loved cruising around and exploring on our ‘biciclette’

C’s bike

• The amphitheatre – the cafes here were cheap and what a backdrop to enjoy some good coffee
• Spending quality time with my family – it was great to get up and spend all day with my wife and my parents (here, I’m beginning to sound like Michelle! Only joking MT!!!)

My Mum and Dad Chilling Out On The Walls

• Puccini – Anyone who has been to our house here in Inverkeithing will know by the pictures in our living room and doubtless the records playing that I dig Puccini. Going to his home town and seeing Turandot and Madame Butterfly will live long in the memory

Puccini’s Home On The Shores Of Torre Del Lago

• Food and drink – cheap, really cheap, and tasty – especially the ravioli for 4 euros. Cannae grumble!
• The doors – the ornate, sturdy front doors to the houses were like works of art, really amazing.

A Typical Lucchese Doorway

• Ice Cream – no, not the taste of it, but just witnessing the joy that it brought into my wife’s life
• Fiesole – what a lovely wee town, and what views over Florence
• Our Camera – I had great fun taking (nearly 1000) photos

San Michele

• Neptune and David – the statues outside the Uffizi in Florence were so impressive

Dude with a Corking Beard

• Mark Driscoll – I didn’t do as much reading as I thought I might, but his ‘Radical Reformission’ got me thinking
• Baralla – C and I ate there one evening. Great food and welcoming atmosphere
• Fairport Convention – I came out of the bedroom one morning to find my Dad ironing and listening to (and singing!) my favourite Fairport song…’Banks of the Sweet Primroses‘. (This list could go on all night, one more will do it)

• Lucca’s botanical gardens – a real treat to walk around, a lovely lake with terrapins and carp being the highlight

Dislikes

• Ryanair – uncomfortable seats and too many pleas to buy their merchandise over the intercom.
• Florence – too busy and too hot, not a patch on Lucca. That said, the Ponte Vecchio was amazing.

C Looks Down Over Ponte Vecchio

• Mozzies – ow, still sore
• Graffiti – everywhere you looked

More graffiti

• Baralla – Okay, so it made the above list too, but we went back with my mum and dad and the food wasn’t as good as the previous time and it was too busy and way too loud. (I can’t think of anything else!)

Overall, what a holiday! I loved it and would truly recommend Lucca to anyone wanting a relaxing break. I want to go back!!

Andy

and the REST OF THE PHOTOS!!!!

Right, we’re off!

Right dudes, we’re off on holiday! The flight to Italy leaves in the morning and we’re all packed and ready to go. We’re even ready to face any Italian pick pockets!

Andy

One Week to Go

This time next Saturday we will be in Lucca. I’m really looking forward to some better weather as I’m fed up of the cold, wet summer that we’ve had so far … I haven’t taken my jacket off all day today and am even thinking about putting the heating on. IT’S JULY!!!!

I’m just back from another trip to Ocean Terminal where I purchased a couple of Italian phrase books and some new suitcases. Now that we can get our belongings to Italy and say ‘Un caffe macchiato, per favore‘ we’re pretty much sorted for the holiday. I’ve also done a little research at this website and already found a couple of nice looking places for us to get our coffee and ice cream!

That’s the important things taken care of.

Catherine

Holiday Reading

It’s only 15 days until we fly out to Italy! We’re heading to Lucca, Tuscany to spend a week with my parents at an apartment they’re renting.

Lucca is supposed to be an amazing city with beautiful ancient buildings and narrow streets and it’s supposed to be VERY hot there just now - so all in all, a far cry from Inverkeithing!

I’ve sorted out my holiday reading - an essential aspect of any good break. I read a review of this the other week which claimed it was a work of genius. We’ll see.

These two I’ve been meaning to read recently but haven’t had the time:

There’s a WEBSITE to go along with it.

Hopefully I’ll find a nice little Tuscan cafe to chill out in and get some proper reading done!

Andy

New Header

That’s better, well better than the default one at least. The picture is of us catching some Z’s in the Louvre, Paris. Not many people go to the World’s most famous museum and art gallery and have a kip, but that’s how uncultured we are!

Andy

Gairloch In The Sun

Mist Falls On Inverness On Our Way Back From The West

On Saturday we drove out west to Gairloch. The forecast had predicted that Inverness was going to be a bit cloudy, but that the west coast was going to see the best of the sun and this proved to be the case.

I spent a lot of time over on the west coast growing up, and I always love going back again. This time we spent most of the day just sitting out in the sun, either eating….

reading…..

or eating again……..

We did bump into a fierce looking local who was preparing for his church barbeque

Rev Jeremy Ross Protects His Food!

Andy

More Photos!

A Walk In Cawdor

Time for a rest

This morning we got up early and decided to make the most of the good weather, so we headed through to Cawdor for a walk.

a flooooor

This pleased all concerned; my mum got a walk (I make her sound like a dog – apologies mum), Catherine got a cake in a local coffee shop (I make her sound like a beefer – apologies Catherine) and I got to drive on the backroad to Nairn (I make me sound like a boy-racer – none of these are accurate!).

Apparently it was 23 degrees in Cawdor – it felt it too!

Andy

Some more PHOTOS