Ah … Tuscany.

There is a feeling of melancholy in the air.  Rob and Jeans are making their high-speed way to Fiumicino Airport in Rome to commence the arduous trek home.  Dory and I are tidying loose ends and faffing about at the villa.  Tomorrow morning we will return the rental car to Pisa and then board the not-so-high-speed regional train down the shin of the boot of Italy for some time in Rome before we too head home.

Our time here in Tuscany has been, I think, more than we expected it to be.  I can only speak for myself, but I’ve fallen in love with the old city of Lucca, and with the greater region.  We’ve managed to ride around the walls and walk the streets of this remarkable old city; feel welcome within the tiny community of Colle Di Compito; spend time with old friends and new friends; marvel at the quality of the food and wine here; listen to the works of Puccini and Mozart performed by extraordinary singers in a medieval cathedral; visit and savour beautiful wineries, hilltop towns and restaurants; see world famous landmarks and the stupid way tourists behave around them; and walk in ancient cities, small villages and rural landscapes.  We’ve been the recipients of kindness, respect and generosity from the people of Tuscany.  I’ve formed a deep connection with this place that will be hard to ignore when we next decide to travel.

Do you remember the Buccellato di Lucca (the raisin and anise flavoured sweet bread) and the legend which says that anyone who comes to Lucca and doesn’t eat Buccellato might as well never have been here?  I ate plenty.  And I feel like I have been to Lucca.

Here are some of my favourite photos from Tuscany.  Onwards down the road!  And we know where all roads lead to …