Pisa, Lucca, ViaReggio

A new day in Florence and a bit of a late start as we have a tour guide collecting us today for a full day trip. I had organised a private tour guide over the internet who made some suggestions as to what we might like to see and do and eventually along with my input, we came up with a plan. A bit of a worry plaaning something like that over the internet but "Federico" our tour guide turned up promptly at 10.30am as planned in his nice clean Mercedes van, introduced himself and off we set.

We headed out of Florence firstly to Lucca, driving through some local Tuscany region countryside. The region we travelled through is also where the children's character 'Pinocchio' came into being. Consequently there are lots of Pinocchio figurines etc around the shops that we've seen.

Lucca is a small town surrounded by old embattlement walls and still oozing that very old Italian feel of a village with markets and local people going about their daily business. But amongst that of course is the main shopping street full of delightful shops which luckily for Ian (trish's husband!) it's Sunday and most of them are closed!!!

Anyway we stopped for some lunch at a local outdoor cafe right beside the local cathedral and just watched the passing people parade - locals on bicycles, kids out running with Mum and Dad in tow, lots of 'bonjouno's' and 'grazie's! IT was a lovely sunny day as well and although very cold, sitting at a little Italian cafe just 'watching' made for a delightful lunch. Some of the food we order we are not sure of - and usually what we order and what we get aer 2 different things - that's the fun about travelling!

We walked, and walked, and walked, and walked - the LONG way round even with a map and missed what we were meant to see but eventaully made our way back to the square 2 hours later and met up with Federico again.

Off next to Pis about 30 minutes away - not a lot to see in Pisa except of course the magnificent Cathedral, the Baptistry and of course the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This place was the middle of winter but still tourist heaven!!! I'd hate to think what these places are like in the heat of summer! The tower itself has recently been semi-restored so that it is very likely safe for another 200 years - so they say.... I'm not so sure! Looks a bit wobbly if you ask me.

Did the touristy bit, had photos taken, shopped for souvenirs and we were off again!

Now headed to ViaReggio, a small city on the west coast of Italy where every Sunday in February a Rio de Janeiro style Carnivale Parade is held. Federico somehow has this amazing "I've got a private car here with Australian tourists and can park and drive anywhere" car - and that he does. We've been literally dropped at front gates and picked up at front gates so there's very little walking from where he drops us off.

Anyway this parade was aboslutely fantastic! The 3 of us have agreed that we have never seen anything like it! It probably went for about 3 hours but Federico had given us 1 1/2 hours before meeting up again and that was probably all we needed 0- it was hard on the feet and back. We were all covered in confetti, spray ribbon stuff and more confetti. Back at the hotel the confetti came out of our underwear and everything!! The whole of the local people get involved in these parades, everyone dresses up, there are no barriers to hold you back - it's just get in there and have a great time!!! We felt a little under-dressed without our party clothes on but have a look at the photos on my website at www.baber.com.au and you'll see what I mean. We loved it and had a fabulous time!

So that was another day and we arrived back at the hotel at 8pm, grabbed a bite to eat at the local cornere shop and I think Marg was asleep 3 minutes later!!!!