Good Times in Lucca!

Another sunny beautiful day to lunch in the iconic Piazza dell Anfiteatro, and many others thought so, too. There were about 8 young people having lunch next to us, many courses, wine, limoncello, the whole leisurely long lunch thing that Italians are so good at.

Afterwards they happily took photos of each other and I took photos of them having a good time, having a good time doing it myself :-)

Happy Italians!

A small vespa I bought here in Lucca to add to my small world collection. 

Some of you may know Alfred from other photographs, he shows up in the oddest places.

The music school in Lucca.

Same piazza the music school is located. 

Another pretty bit of fashion and color.

Playing with pink balloons, enjoying a sunny day.

Love this man on a bicycle!

Here's hoping you're liking the bicycles here as much as I am.

Lucca with my iPhone 5S

Sometimes using my iPhone is just simpler, and much less bulky and heavy to carry around. Here are some iPhone shots of Lucca, some processed in Lightroom and some using good old Snapseed... best app around for a quick edit on an iPad or iPhone. And it's free.

Piazza S. Michele, center of everything.

Tourists or students taking a break, maybe both.

Piazza Antifeatro.

 My three companeros out at night.

 Piazza Antifeatro for a Negroni. Taste of another trip to Lucca in 2013...

 My same three companeros at dinner for Asha's last night.

 Outside the Lucca wall. A lovely bright spring!

A villa near to Lucca, day trip via car.

 Lucca view from wall.

 Good ol' Gelato everyday.

The bar is IN the supermarket! Coffee and champagne, beer, whatever you want...

Esselunga... very popular.

 Really fancy market.

 The wall.

 iPhone HDR for sunset.

 More of the wall.

An everyday flower area near the wall.

Starting out in Lucca, Italy

Joe and I are in the great walled town of Lucca, located in Tuscany, Italy. Nearest airport is Pisa.We drove from Provence, France, no border crossing, just lots of tunnels (about 165!) along the coastal road between France and Italy. White knuckle driving, not for those who prefer an open road with lots of room.

Living inside the walls of Lucca is fantastic, walking to shops, restaurants and sunsets everyday and always something new to see, it's the perfect size town for spending a month in our rental apartment.

Here are a few of the 1800+ images I've taken in the 2 weeks we've been here... the time went by quickly and somehow blogging fell aside. Here's to getting some of these images out to the light of day!

In front of our apartment, we're on the second floor. 

 Everyone in Lucca rides a bicycle, it's the most bicycle riding town I have ever seen! All ages, dressed up, high heels, everyone.

 Some have their dogs in a basket, some not. And some frown at having their photo taken...

 Hanging out in the Piazza Anfiteatro, priceless.

 An artistic bicycle image... slow shutter, lots of fun to try and get one.

 Joe in the rain, with a random happy child. 

 Umbrellas and rain make for good photo ops.

 The Piazza Anfiteatro in good weather on Easter Sunday.

 Happy Easter!

A sweet face.

 Sun going down.

 Montecarlo, Tuscany.

Having a great time in the main Piazza in Montecarlo.

 Hey, these men are the bomb!

 Spring!! The weather has been warm and sunny, love it!

 Tulips at a vineyard.

Gotta check your phone.....