Excursions

A trip to Lucca.  On learning the cashmere factory that has been a wonderful inside secret for years (I went in 2001) has closed and opened a retail shop in town that became a destination.  While the fathers and children ate Julia and Diana made tracks to Zazzi.

Diana shows off her treasures.

Note Brad's expression.  

Last time I saw this was just before they straightened it a bit and I couldn't believe the difference.

At the top are the bells, as it is a carillon.

View from the top.

Clara's was a our favorite seafood restaurant  and it is across the street from the Esselunga (big supermarket).

5 minutes from the villa in the next town, Cosanico, was this very local place with a fair smattering of tourists who have heard about it.

We couldn't afford not to eat here.

Wine tasting in Pietrasanta.  Next to this patio is a huge private playground with no one there just for the kids.  It was a glorious night and the food was great.

If this looks like raw bacon fat you are close.  It is Lardo and this is the part of Italy where the best lardo is made. It is pig fat cured in marble tubs.  On a hot crusty piece of foccacia it is beyond sublime. They slice it paper thin so the heat of the bread melts it just a little.  I think we ate 5 platters.

Cheers!