After shrugging off my Baileys induced drudge this morning we thumbed our noses at the dark gray skies and jumped in the Opel for the 3 km trip to Campogiorno station where the puffer fish only went off twice.

At the station the validating machine was knackered so we hoped that the fascist reputation of the Trenitalia ticket inspectors had mellowed as I wasn't keen on copping €160 worth of fines but thankfully we had a female guard who signed off our tickets (and fears).

The trains in Italy rock and even the Regionale 2nd class is eons ahead of what we have in Melbourne. They are prompt, plentiful, clean and comfortable everything our trains aren't - and the staff are helpful too. Castlenuovo station even has a bar and restaurant - not bad for a town the size of Dimboola.

Anyway after a very scenic trip through the Serchio Valley we arrived in Lucca. The station is across the road from the town walls and after walking through a series of cobbled tunnels you end up in Lucca proper.

I was surprised as I always thought there were no cars allowed inside the walls but I was mistaken as residents have access and it is only the Antifeatro which is the main square which is car free although a couple had snuck in and to be honest I did not see one Carabinieri all day so they may have got prime parking scot free.

The one thing it's hard to get used to is all the bikes, there are so many and as there are no sidewalks due to the narrow streets it keeps you fit dodging them. I even got a pic of a guy riding his bike in the rain holding an umbrella - who said blokes can't multitask?. The business men all suited up on the treadlies is quite a sight too.

We stopped for lunch and the womenfolk dined on traditional Tuscan fare - hamburgers (bloody tourists), whilst Grace & I showed more decorum with Bruschetta and grilled vegetable panini.

We went to see the Torre Guinigi, which is the famous tower with the tree growing on the roof but at 225 steps up and 225 down the street level view was fine by us. Apart from the cafes seating is nigh on non existent in Lucca that foregoing 450 steps was a masterstroke,

We then visited the Piazza Antifeatro which is quite amazing and is very much a Tuscan icon. It is built on the ruins of the ancient Roman amphitheater (2nd century A.D) which is why it has the close elliptical shape.

Then we hit the shops just as a heavy shower hit 30 seconds after I bought the tackiest umbrella in Italy if not the known world. The Colosseum and St Peters Basilica on a blue background. Hey it did the job and gave those nearby a giggle.

I even managed to finally find a barber as I have been having bad hair days which is disconcerting to someone used to no hair days.

Tarn added Lucca to the Christmas decoration collection and I finally got my red Vespa and a white Fiat 500 Abarth (albeit a fridge magnet and 1:24 model). Hopefully one of them may turn into the real thing one day if I am a good lad.

There was also free wifi which I was lapping up for all of 30 seconds before the phone shut down with a flat battery after showing full 30 minutes earlier, so still no joy uploading the back catalog (or sorting the Dream Team). Unless Castelnuovo comes to the party Da Da Da Da Da is doomed to a heavy defeat and the FJ Cruiser will be out the window.

Lucca is a must do if you come here and is reminiscent of a small version of Florence and I highly recommend it.

And take the train

Ciao