I continue to go beyond the Tuscan sun

There are way too many places to be visited in Tuscany. To make our lives easier (note that we did not pack lightly since I have to spend a month in Rome before I finally get settled in Milan for school!), we decided to pick cities for home base. For this trip, we spent a night in Lucca, 2 nights in Radda (in Chianti) and 2 nights in Montepulciano--a special place for you vampire fans.



Lucca

North of Pisa, it'll take you another 1 hour and 25 minutes to get to this place. But because we were guided by the MOST BRILLIANT GPS system *insert sarcasm here* called the TOMTOM, it took us about 3 hours.

Horrible experience. If you do decide to visit Lucca... actually, let me change my sentence to: If you decide to visit Italy and rent a car, research well about your hotel. In small towns like Lucca, make sure you know where the nearest parking lot is. Otherwise, you'd have to drag your luggage through the cobbled streets and fight with the crazy pedestrians as you look for your bed space.

Warning about Tuscan towns--- many streets are for pedestrian only, and the streets are narrower than ever. Tips? PACK LIGHT or if impossible try the following:
- rent a small car
- be a good traveller and RESEARCH!

To cut the story short, our bed & breakfast was not in the address given to us. When we finally got in touch with the owner, he told us we had to walk 30 minutes to get to it-- no way was I doing this with 5 pieces of luggage! And there was no internet connection (a pre-req when traveling with Dad). So we found the first hotel recommended by Frommer's, Hotel Ilaria. Thank god for Frommer's.

Hotel Ilaria

Lucca's a quaint but touristy town. Main sights you have to see are, of course, the Duomo where their main cathedral is, Duomo di San Martino. Italy's known for their Piazzas or their town/city squares. Lucca has one of the best in the country. Piazza dell'Anfiteatro is worth a visit during the day and especially during the night. It's surrounded by many restaurants where you can have good food and people watch! Piazza de San Michele houses one of the most beautiful churches.. actually a basilica,  I've  seen called the San Michele. And of course, Lucca's Torre delle Ore or The Clock Tower--- nothing fancy. It's just a big tower with a clock, but old--- so pictures are a must.

Mom made reservations at the Buca di Sant'Antonio for dinner. Great pastas and wine! One of the oldest and best retaurants in town. About 12 - 20 euros per person, if I remember right. Oh and their chocolate mousse was to die for. A tip I can give is probably to suggest you be seated upstairs. Where we sat (basement) was way too stuffy! Took pictures, but the quality is not so good. whatever.. check if you're curious.

And the highlight of this stop was breakfast at the hotel's breakfast nook. I can't find words to describe it because I feel giving descriptions is not really my thing, just check out the gallery. Best breakfast yet.

Lucca and Hotel Ilaria gallery is here.