and the painting I did for her...
She was soooo wonderful to suggest that Lucca was a FAB place to VIRTUALLY visit and SAFE for Petunia and Fifi to stay...
Lucca is a city in Tuscany, northern central Italy, situated on the river Serchio in a fertile plain near (but not on) the Ligurian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Lucca. Among other reasons, it is famous for its intact Renaissance-era city walls. (via Wikipedia)
Look at the beautiful the walls of Lucca...
A fortress to hide away... what could be better...
Valentina recommend a few places to stay... I chose a little B & B called La Bohème...
While Petunia chose OF COURSE Hotel Noblese... 
We agreed to meet in the refreshment area of her hotel...
Wellllll now that we are settled in... sketch book in hand... time to head outdoors and explore... look at the beautiful architecture...
Lucca is the birthplace of opera composer Giacomo Puccini three of my favorite Operas by him... Tosca, Madama Butterfly and one about Parisian Life... La Bohème... you know how Fifi loves to bring French to Italy...
Let's visit Museo Villa Puccini with a statue of the composer out front...
oooh PERFECT... meeting Valentina for lunch at the delightful Ristorante Puccini... 
Yum...
Ooooh a FAVORITE of Fifi's...
Lovely dessert...
After such a delightful lunch... let's end the day strolling some gardens of Lucca...
Like these gorgeous grounds of the Palazzo Pfanner...
Merci Beaucoup Valentina... your Lucca is BEAUTIFUL!!!
I hope everyone ENJOYED this FAB visit! Where oh where did Petunia run off to... perhaps we should go see HERE
Be sure to visit other OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY via Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer!
Tomorrow I think Petunia and I will be crashing a famous wedding in Verbania... come along for some FUN... Ciao... a la prochaine!
Photos via Wikipedia, Valentina, Sites that linked in the post, Google search for Lucca, Italy
