Italy 2012! Yay!: Day 11 - Chianti to Lucca

Hi, this is Jeannine writing again…

Today, we packed up and took off to Lucca. This was about an 1½ hour drive. We stopped in a city called Chiesina Uzzese where Don’s great grandmother grew up. Don and I visited this town with my parents and the girls eight years ago when we visited but obviously this was the first time for Lois. We saw the church that Nonna Casa Casa was baptized in and the home she grew up until age 10. Her family owned a dry-goods store and she lived on top of the store. It was nice for Lois to see the town her grandmother walked the streets so many years ago.

Then onward to Lucca...We had not visited Lucca before so it was very cool to see the high walls of this city. So note to any of you visiting Lucca within the walls. A big van (see our picture) and the streets of Lucca do not mix (as our hotel manager said…these streets were made for horses). We did not know this! We drive through the opening into the walled city and “attempt” to get through…ha ha! I got out to assist Don taking the turns and cars are coming up behind him so he keeps going and I am just hanging out there while he is trying to get back around…anyways 30 minutes later he arrives again and our hotel manager assists him…lucky everybody kept their sense of humor. Needless to say after we checked in and got settled, Don and I returned the car to the city of Lucca and it is public transportation for the rest of the trip. Ciao Macchina!

After a rest and walk through the beautiful cobblestone streets of Lucca…we are off to dinner where all the locals eat. This was a recommendation from someone Don knew, who frequents Lucca a lot. She told Don to try the “farinata”. She said we wouldn’t be sorry! Jackie and Lois ordered it and we all tried it…she was right! It is corn meal with vegetables…what a great flavor. Jackie said this has to be visited again before we leave. It was fantastic! This was a great restaurant…another wonderful day in God’s country!

Buona Notte!