A city wall surrounding a shopping paradise

Lucca is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy – and I've seen many... Well, a few. Over the past half-century, I've been to Rome, Milan, Verona, Venice, Pisa, Florence, Genoa, and Catania in Sicily, but none of these famous metropolises has enchanted me as much as Lucca. Its special charm lies in its layout around the historical city wall. It is over 500 years old, four kilometers long, and surrounded by a huge lawn area of 75 hectares (!) – equivalent to more than 110 football fields. At twelve meters high and up to 30 meters wide, it encircles the city center, which has about 80,000 inhabitants.

We barely walked five minutes on the wall when Icke could no longer be restrained. The bustling activity in the winding alleys, with one shop after another, each window more enticing than the last, was too colorful and tempting. When we set off, I had to persuade my wife: “But please not too far and not for too long,” she had requested, glancing at her aching hip. Three and a half hours later, I was plodding behind her with our two dogs and some hefty plastic bags.

We were hardly 500 meters from the parking spot when a local market with jewelry and textile artisans opened up in front of us. Emmi, Pipo, and I found a bench – and surrendered to our fate.

Fortunately, we have already booked a parking spot outside of Lucca for tomorrow. Five kilometers should be enough for a “safety zone.” But you never know...

After that, we will continue to Lake Bolsena, just 90 kilometers from Rome. There, we’ll meet Angelika and Martin, two friends from earlier motorhome tours. We look forward to spending time together – and first to visit the Lorenzetti family farm. There's just one thing I dread: I will have my hands full keeping Icke out of Lucca.