Lucca & Volterra
Tour Day 9
Volterra & Lucca
10,770 Steps of Revelations
Departing our Tuscan-Chianti experience we headed for our next destination of Lucca. Enroute we travel the Tuscany hills to the hill town of Volterra. The town sits high on top of an impressive stonewall and offers an expansive countryside view from the walls edge. Volterra is home to a renowned Etruscan arch (400 BC), and a recently uncovered roman theater that can be view from above on the city wall. As a group we observed an alabaster demonstration. The skill of using a lathe to transforming a piece of alabaster to reveal a unique piece of art is impressive. They make it look so easy!
We found plenty of narrowing windy lanes and shops for wondering. While having lunch at a little sidewalk cafe we noticed that our confidence to order off an Italian menu had improved significantly.
Arriving in Lucca, and after completing our orientation walk, several couples in our tour group found a great way to wrap up the warm afternoon. A street side cafe on the pizzaz, toasting the moment with a refreshing spritz, and enjoying each others company.
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Tour Day 1o
Lucca & Olives
11,076 Steps of Engagement
This morning we were greeted by a local guide who walked us up along Lucca's well preserved ramparts. Definitely a key feature of Lucca, the entire town is encircle with the wall, and the top has a pleasant garden like pathway. Perfect for a leisurely walk or bike ride. Lucca has a different feel, while old and thick in history, there is a touch of modern outdoor livability. Perhaps it is activity of individuals out enjoying the open space of the ramparts.
We took time way from Lucca to visit a country side olive oil mill today. Frantic La Visona is engaged in traditional & sustainable and methods to process the local olives and to produce olive oil. They provided a small tasting of several olive oils and along with a nice lunch.
Upon returning to Lucca, we decided to engage in the local lifestyle and take a leisurely bike ride along ramparts. Being early evening many people were out strolling, jogging, and biking.
Tour Tip: Don't over schedule your free time, with must do activities.
Be aware of your options, but keep yourself open and flexible.
Allow yourself to slow down, and just enjoy the moment.
 Estruscan Arch, Volterra |  Alabaster sculpture |  Working the alabaster, Volterra |
|---|---|---|
 Volterra |  Strolling the streets of Volterra, Italy |  Volterra, Italy |
 The inner workings of the olive oil mill, Frantic La Visona |  Church of San Michele Lucca, Italy |  Exterior wall of roman amphitheater remains |
 Piazza dell'anfiteatro, Lucca, Italy Once the location of a roman amphitheater. |  Lucca, Italy |  Strolling the ramparts, Lucca |
 Biking the ramparts in Lucca! |