Day 3 - Lucca e Colle Verde

  Lucca, Italy
Sunday, March 2, 2008

Today we joined the group for a day trip to Lucca and Colle Verde. Lucca is a quaint city surrounded by a medieval stone wall. It is historical because the first triumvirate was signed there by Caesar and others. We spent a couple of hours walking around the city and the wall. There was once a amphitheater (coliseum) in Lucca that is now an elliptical piazza surrounded by cafes, shops and homes.  The arches of the original amphitheater can still be seen in the sides of the buildings. 

Colle Verde is a Tuscan farm that produces wine and olive oil. Colle Verde is by far our favorite so far. It's everything one would imagine the Tuscan countryside to be. Alessandra, our hostess for the afternoon, explained the intricacies of olive oil and wine production. Following her tour, we sampled Colle Verde's wine and olive oil with a most fantastic lunch on the farm grounds. During lunch we also got to experience our first bit of Italian music as David performed two Italian opera selections.  He was FANTASTICO!

Tonight we're hitting a little trattoria Il Vicolo, which has recieved rave reviews from the other tour members.

Tomorrow we're off to Chianti for more wine and walking!

Mandie and Holly R. -- Here is your gatto picture for the day. :o)