Blogs from Pisa, Tuscany, Italy, Europe - page 6

Caught the train to Pisa this morning to meet Jon, Mon, Jess & Rosie who were arriving at 11am by plane then heading to Pisa Centrale Station. We arrived a bit early so strolled around the piazza near the station and had a coffee. The meet up went without a hitch and it was lovely to see them all again. After they checked their baggage into storage for the day we had lunch then walked down through the relatively wide streets and piazzas of Pisa to the Field of Miracles area, housing the famous 11th Century Leaning Tower, Duomo, Baptistry and Museums. Although there have been structural problems with the Tower in the last few years, it is now sound and visitors are able to climb it again. We decided against this due to the cost ... read more

Today I took a tour though the Tuscan countryside. First stop was Sienna, A lovely town not far from Florence. Sienna and Florence have had many wars over the years, the last one was about 450 years ago, but rivalry between the two is still very much there. The town is divided into 17 neighbourhoods, each with its own coat of arms, as we entered each neighbourhood the guide pointed out the coat of arms displayed clearly on the walls. Every so often we would come across a public building which had the Medici coat of arms, from the time the family took control of the city. The guide never failed to point out the arms of "the enemy" Sienna is most famous for its horse races, Il Palio which are held twice a year. The ... read more

I wake up and Drew is already up and in the shower. Ok, wait a minute let’s review that first line. Drew is up and in the shower. Am I dreaming? No, it’s for real. He comes out, I go in this is going to be a great day. We head down stairs and eat breakfast, and at the same time we discuss our agenda for today. Drew agrees, first Pisa, Second Luca and third Greve. Our hotel gives us great directions and Drew navigates me to the FREE parking. We hop out of the car and start walking toward the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It’s about a 5-minute walk and as we turn the corner there it is. Let’s hurry before it falls over I say to Drew. He just rolls his eyes at me. ... read more

Geo: 43.7161, 10.3966A relaxed start to the day, with breakfast out on the terrace overlooking Lake Como.Taxi, and two trains got us to Pisa in the afternoon.We checked out the tower, and took photos of people doing strange things nearby.Dinner downstairs. We had melon with prosciutto for entree, then Derek had a pizza (in Pisa) and Kate had Spaghetti Bolognese.Kate had a banana split, and Derek had biscotti and liqueur for dessert.Retired upstairs to bed, but didn't sleep very well. Hopefully better sleep tomorrow night.... read more

Itsa meee, Christopher! Day 30 - Pisa and Lucca, Italy - Jan 11th, 2013 So one of my main Incentives to travel to Florence was becasue everyone I've met told me to go, but mostley because it is an Hour outside of Pisa so I will be taking a Day Trip to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa!!! The coolest dude ever Yuri, who runs the Hostel that I'm at, was nice enough to make a reservation for me to go on the Pisa a and Luca Tour. After nearly missing the Tour Bus, I was on my way first to Luca. I sat next to the Driver and he was super friendly to me after I told him my Mom was born in Chili since he was Chilean, and told me that the fashion show ... read more