The night was strikingly expressive. It was picturesque! The kind of vista you would like to keep coming back to despite the freezing cold.
We left Genoa after lunch that day and we expected to arrive in Rome after 5 hours. As soon as we were able to exit the city, the first snowfall came, it was too heavy that it blanketed most parts of Europe causing traffic that was 50 kms. long. Unfortunately, we were taking that same road. Thousands of people were stranded and it was a parking lot scenario all over. It was a disaster, for hours nothing moved. We were lucky to have the gas tank full, but the wheels were not ready for snow.
We were stuck for 9 hours, the weather was getting worse and we had no choice but to stop and take refuge at the first city or town we can reach. That place was Lucca, in Tuscany. Its a small ancient and medieval city known for its well-preserved Renaissance walls around the historic city center and its cobblestone streets.
The weather was not that friendly.
It was serendipitous to see the beautiful walled city at a glance. I volunteered to get out of the car to look for a hotel or a restaurant in the centre but both were either full or close. The ice was slippery but I didn't care, This tropical girl was like a child lost in the middle of the snow-filled street in an ancient city delightedly looking around despite the unforgiving weather.
With the biting cold, hungry stomachs and tiredness evading, it was almost a hopeless case. But for the silly adventurer me, I was enjoying it. Luckily, we succeeded in finding a hotel outside the walled city.
We had a very late dinner at the only restaurant open. With the snow all over, the blinking Christmas lights, and the fully dressed place for the holidays - it felt like Christmas eve.
I can still remember the Fiorentina steak I had for the main course and the Brunello di Montalcino wine that was paired with it. Too bad, no pictures – drained batteries.
The next day was a lovely sunny winter morning.
The tree-lined pathways along the tops of the massive 16th- and 17th-century ramparts.
...and the moon did not disappoint too.
Inside the walled city.
The protective walls surrounding the city.
We left Lucca before lunch and what a sight of the snow covered surroundings! We were back on track leading to Rome but the highway has welcomed us with yet another unending traffic for the same reason as that of yesterday. Night time has fallen and the road still spells impossibility which had left us with no option but to stop over the nearest place to go. Thank God the GPS was working and tomtom was helping on this time of dire need. The next unscheduled stop - Arezzo, Italy.
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