Tuscany Land, 

LUCCA

Our first stop in Tuscany is the sweet little town of Lucca, where we rented bicycles and road around the 4 km loop atop of the wall surrounding the old city. The path was wide enough for 2 or 3 lanes of vehicle traffic and was dedicated strictly to cyclists and pedestrians. The path was lined on both sides with flawless draping greenery of all sorts as well as perfectly situated benches for families and lovers to stop for a picnic or perhaps an espresso.

After our bike ride we wandered the streets looking for our lunch spot, which we found among the non stop purse shops that I had to be dragged out of constantly.

I wanted one of everything, and could NOT make up my mind. I still haven't made up my mind, these purses are incredible. The leather is perfect, the colours are perfect.... each purse is PERFECT.

After lunch, we headed slightly south to Pisa...we had some towers to climb.

PISA and her Leaning Tower

A city with very strict driving limitations to tourists. Do NOT pass the restricted lines or you will be fined $150 Eu. We passed, briefly, but we passed....... just waiting for a bill in the mail.

Found parking, walked into the over populated University town centre which housed the Leaning Tower and her neighboring cathedrals.

We bought our ticket for the tower climb of 294 slightly slippery and very slanted marble steps, waited for our turn which was an hour (not too bad considering the amount of people hanging around)

While we waited, I found a warm patch of green grass to lay on while Kev found some fresh grapes, banana and my favorite treat of the trip so far...... fresh COCONUT.

This has now become my mission in every town and at every street vendor.....the fresh coconut displayed with clear fresh water just dripping over the slices. Nothing looks more inviting and nothing thus far has tasted to good.

Florence...... and her beauty

Oh man, we thought Monterosso was hard to find, Florence almost caused one of us to get out and walk.

We followed the signs and yet again, remained lost. At the bitter end of our attempts, just before quitting and heading to the next town, we accidentally found the heart of Florence. Isn't it funny how life just gives you what you need when you need it?

So, OK we found the city, now for parking and hotel.... this was for sure our next challenge.
Much like Pisa, Florence has a very strict driving restriction for non residents, and much like our last experience.... we drove through it. Quickly realizing we shouldn't have, we turned around, parked and walked into the first hotel we saw, and it was STUNNING and available. 

For just one night and for only $150 Eu. ( at this moment we would have spent MUCH MORE)

Tossed our bags in our RIDICULOUS room ( think nicest Westin room ever.... with a view of a cathedral in Florence..... this is us) had a quick shower, dressed up pretty for the night and began our trek through the new prettiness that was our next town.

We walked for about an hour, enjoying the sunset and beautiful architect the old city had to share with us, and settled with a small alley restaurant for a late dinner.

This is one thing I have struggled a bit getting used to is the difference in time from North America. Mind you my lifestyle doesn't allow me to eat at 9 or 10 pm, perhaps some people do, and this would be normal for them.

Regardless, We are on vacation and if a late dinner is the hardest thing I have to deal with.... I think I'm doing alright.

After dinner we continued our wander and came upon what so far has been the MOST mind blowing piece of architectural creation yet..... to us anyway.

*Please note that this photo does NOTHING... and I mean NOTHING to how the detail*

We woke up the next morning and headed out for a run down the canal of Florence, where we passed 4 bridges, so at every bridge we lunged to the center ( These are BIG bridges hahahah and so lunging completely over them was a little daunting)

We completed 300 lunges and 30 minutes of running before a yummy breakfast and our last stroll through the city which took us up the  414 steps of the bell tower NEXT to this incredible cathedral ( You see the line up for the cathedral was likely 3 hours in the heat)

The tower we climbed us behind Kevin to the right in the above photo......

We built up an appetite doing this massive climb and so we grabbed a quick lunch before heading off to our next destination....... ROMA.