Lucca y Pisa - Stefano Style!

Mia and I hit up Lucca... and let me tell you it is adorable! Lucca, Pisa and Siena all have these amazing walls built around them. They were created during Roman times in case of war. But the funny thing is, Lucca was never in a war! The only time they were about to have one, was with Pisa, they paid them off! Hysterical!

Anyway... Lucca, like i said is adorable, and the only way to see it is with Stefano Palmieri. He is one of Mia's friends, and now one of mine. He is so awesome! He picked us up from the train station and took us back to his house where his mom, who is the sweetest lady in to world, made us delicious green tea. Then we headed to "the country house" (think Diane Lane's house in Under the Tuscan Sun) which is where we were going to stay. This country house, that belongs to Stefano's best friend Daleta's family was amazing! 50 - 100 olive trees in the yard, beautiful antique beds and water pitchers, a huge kitchen... WOW.. and an awesome guest house. I couldn't believe it. And while Miea and I were there getting ready for the night, Stefano whipped up this amazing pasta dinner from zero ingredients! And seriously, it was probably the most fantastic pasta dinner i have ever had - with an out of this world olive and tomato sauce... and yes... those olives came from the yard!! And as ya all know, i don't even like olives, but let me tell you, i am starting to!!! WOW oh WOW!!!

After dinner, we headed to Villa Rossi... yes, i said a VILLA!! unbelievable. This villa was gianormous, beautiful, breathtaking, everything.. and we saw it in the night, imagine if i saw it during the day! Anyway... there, Stefano's amazing musician friends were practicing for a big show this weekend. Both of these singers / bands are rediculously good! They are totally going to make it and make it BIG! I highly suggest you check them out.

Simone's Band: Three Maniac Swing
Elisir's Band: Elisir Band www.elisirband.com www.laghenga.com

So, after a few beers, amazing atmosphere and fantastic music, we called it a night and headed back to the country house.

The following day, Stefano and Daleta took Mia and I on a great tour of Lucca. This town is seriously so adorable! It has a great plaza with little restaurants and cute shops and we finished touring Lucca by walking the 4 mile wall.. Super Cool. After working up an appetite, we head back to Stefano's house where his mom makes yet another fantastic pasta lunch -- (now i know where he gets his great cooking from!).. this pasta was so yummy!! plus this mouthwatering slow cooked beef and peppers and chilled vino... my stomach is starting to growl just thinking about it! Two homecooked italian meals from italians in Italy!! What more can a girl ask for!?!?!

After lunch, the four of us head to Pisa... which is actually only 20min or so away from Lucca... and yes my dear friends, I did all the RG CHEESY pics you can imagine with the Leaning Tower...and I even made a reluctant Mia take a few, too!! I hope you like them!

here are the links to the rest of the pics!