Florence-Siena-Lucca

After a 4 hour train from Rome to Florence (took the cheapest and slowest) we arrived at our apartment and met Luigi the owner. The place was amazing!!! Only 2 mins from the Duomo all very central. We didnt know at the time but it (the Duomo and bell tower) would also be our alarm clock at 7.45 and them 8am every morning! Oh well. no sleeping in means more time for sight seeing.

On our second day we climbed our alarm clock (the bell tower) to check out the views over Florence. We also visited a Leonardo Da Vinci exhibition that had interactive models of his designs and inventions. Wandered through the San lorenzo markets full of leather bags/wallets/shoes etc

Next day we completely forgot it was a national holiday and had planned on visiting Lucca (whle ange and duane headed to Pisa) but there were no buses so we decided to catch the train to Siena instead. Chris had actually planned on proposing today (he told me later) and had ironed a shirt and everything while I was in the shower but of course couldnt go ahead with it since our plans had been interrupted. (Damn those national holidays - lazy Italians!) Siena was very cool. Probably my favourite place so far. It was built during the medieval period so the buildings are darker and gothic-like but it all has a majestic feel to it. Chruches are more castle like and the main Piaza is scallaped shaped and hold a horse racing festival - Il Palio - twice a year.

We made it to Lucca the next day - a walled city -the old walls are still standing today and used to protect the city as well as the moat that surrounded it. Lots of narrow winding streets. smaller and less crowded than Siena but definitely not as beautiful.

This is the old ampitheatre. People built houses over and around it but you can still see the circular shape. It is called Piazza Anfiteatro.

View of florence after a long trek up the hill.