Roman rain is dreary in January, which is why we escaped to slightly-warmer Spain over the weekend.
The Barcelona jaunt was short lived and being back in the land of unpredictable downpours and unreliable transport has me longing for summer in Tuscany.
Rome is photogenic if you get below its chaotic facade, but Tuscany is instantly picture perfect.
Seriously. These pictures looked staged, but all we were doing was strolling through the center of Pietrasanta.
Pietrasanta is also the single chicest place I have ever been. The art was omnipresent. The people, with their obligatory fixed speed bikes outfitted with custom baskets, looked like they had just rolled out of a magazine. The boutiques were impeccably stocked.
Talk about lifestyle envy.
Pietrasanta is in the province of Lucca and is not far from the town of Lucca itself. I had hoped to see that Tuscan destination as well, but one look at Pietrasanta (and its well-heeled inhabitants) and I was hooked.
But as much as I was swayed by the superficial, the town is not all glossy veneer. It’s home to international poets, photographers, sculptors and painters. An art enclave, where the churches include Boteros rather than Caravaggios.
I can’t wait to go back!*
(*to shop!)**
(**When I win the lottery. Damn my expensive taste).
This little glimpse of summer is just what I needed on this very ready Roman Monday. Thank you.
Wow, beautiful photos! Milan doesn’t quite have the same quaint charm 🙂
Lucy x
La Lingua : Food + Life in Milano
I still need to make it up to Milan. May not be quaint, but I am sure it have its many charms on display!
Lovely photos! Are some of them done via Instagram? Pietrasanta is now on my list of places to visit when I return to Firenze next fall for my annual soggiorno.
Some from Instagram indeed 🙂 Others merely edited. http://instagram.com/anamericaninrome#
I can’t wait to go back to Pietrasanta! It was lovely.
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