Lucca and Florence... Photography a must
 

Hi everyone!
I will be traveling to Lucca from May 30-June 5, then on to Florence to the 9th... I am hoping I could get some advice/suggestions on what I can do to have a very fulfilling experience.
When in Lucca, I am there for a wedding and will be staying in a villa with the bride, groom and their immediate families (Im the brides bestie)... I plan to be out most of the time traversing the countryside as photography is my passion. I will absolutely be exploring Lucca and renting a bike for at least 1 day, possibly two. A day trip to CT is a must in my opinion (Manarola and Riomagiore). Is there any hidden gems in the area of Lucca that I should know about? Again, photographic options are greatly appreciated (I shoot mostly scenics and architecture). I am looking for unique experiences, but not opposed to the beaten path.
Same goes for Florence. I am of course planning to go to Duomo, Uffizi and Accademia... also Piazzale Michelangelo. I'm also thinking about going to Fiesole for a half day or a day. I would love to hear of experiences when someone was wandering around and stumbled across something amazing, be it a shop/restaurant/artwork.
Any insight would be very appreciated.
a sampling of what I do can be found here http://picasaweb.google.com/sdreitle...Jic38SZldq5Gw#
I cant wait to shoot Tuscany!!!

Also... Im flying into Pisa and out of Florence... how are the transfers from airport to train??

Pisa airport has its own train station right there in the airport. Chances are, you will get on the train there and then have to change trains at Pisa Centrale station, the very next stop, for you trip to Lucca. Depending on where the villa is located, it might make more sense to arrange for a car/taxi to transfer you from Pisa Airport to the villa.

Florence airport is quite close to Florence itself. There is a bus service from Firenze SMN train station to the airport, but I've always taken a taxi because the trip is quick and door-to-door.

Last fall, we took a short drive north of Lucca to Borgo a Mozzano to see the Devil's Bridge. We loved the pictures we were able to take. There is a small cafe at one end of the bridge where one of the cooks came out to feed the ducks. It was great to get shots of that event as well. I think this place will play to both your scenic and architecture photography passion!

http://www.welcometuscany.it/tuscany..._a_mozzano.htm

Last part first. Pisa airport has a train station attached - There are some trains direct to Florence, but trains to Pisa Centrale every 30 minutes, takes about 7 minutes. From Pisa Centrale to Lucca is about 20 minutes.

From the main bus station in Florence (which is just next to the Santa Maria Novella train station) buses to the airport are quite frequent, and I seem to remember the journey is about 20 minutes - although I found tickets quite expensive for a relatively short trip.

Lucca is extremely photogenic - the walls themselves, the narrow streets, the numerous churches. I love the view from the Torre Guinigi (the tower with the trees growing on top). Walking north from the city you see a church up on the hill - the views are quite good from there back across Lucca.

The obvious place to photograph is the "Campo dei Miracoli" in Pisa (from Lucca by train, get off at Pisa S.Rossore station) - the Cathedral interior is particularly stunning.

This website will give you some real off the beaten track possibilities near Lucca:

http://www.emmeti.it/Welcome/Toscana.../index.uk.html

and I would add Pistoia to that list, just a short train ride from Lucca.

As for Firenze, there are a couple of places within short bus rides or train rides that are well off the tourist radar but with distinctive features:

Impruneta is the premiere home of terracotta pottery and terracotta everything in Italy.

http://www.wpb-radon.com/Bills%20pho...tery%20wpb.jpg

Prato has beautiful monuments and almost no tourists

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prato

You can get a bus from Pisa airport direct to Lucca, just ask at the information desk in the arrivals hall. The times might not mesh exactly but the cafe at the airport has a nice outside seating area.

I 2nd the Devils Bridge as a prime photo op--you can see my shot here:
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=3827

^^ Bob -- your photos are gorgeous, especially of Devils Bridge!

Thank you to everyone for their replies!
How does one get to the Devils Bridge without a car? Would love to see it!
Im thinking Prato looks like a good place as well... and the planning continues...

Also, is it possible to do the Accademia and the Uffizi in the same day, or is there just too much?