Our little Aimless-Tours group experienced our own Great Race today. The goal was to travel from Florence to Lucca and spend a quiet, relaxing day in this ancient walled city. It all started very calmly about 8:30 AM. But before 1:00 PM we:

1) Walked through Florence to the train station, but missed the train because we could not find the little green machine to validate our tickets;

2) Took the next train to Lucca, which included a transfer in Pisa, but got on the wrong train in Pisa and ended up in Livorno on the coast: so we considered taking a cruise instead of going to Lucca;

3) Turned around and got back on a train and made it to Pisa. Next train to Lucca would be in 45 minutes, so walked across the street and had an espresso. Considered beer and wine but it was only 10:00 AM.

4) Boarded what we thought was the next train to Lucca but, 30 seconds before the train left the station, we realized we were on a train back to Florence.

5) Stayed on the same platform and a couple of minutes later the train for Lucca arrived.

6) We made it to Lucca at 1:00 PM. A nice lunch with Vino Rosso and everything was better.

This was a true Aimless-Tours adventure. Try to get to Lucca and we take you to Pisa. Try to get to Pisa and we take you to Livorno. Three hours later, we get you to Lucca.

The rest of the day was pretty normal. We caught the right train back to Florence. Went shopping for a little more wine, cured meats, and bread and made a great antipasti. Started searching for a place for dinner at 9:30 PM.

Since we’ve been at the flat, we’ve heard choral rehearsals and organ music but were unsure of the source. Tonight, we found out we have a concert hall adjacent to our flat! Mystery solved.

It’s now time for a grappa and bed.