May 11, 2013 - Day 4 - Rome to Pisa

After a quick breakfast...we checked out of Hotel Andriena and walked over to Termini Station. I took us about a half hour to finally locate the car rental desk near platform 24. The line was short but some younger folks were trying to rent a car but weren't old enough...so after 45 minutes or so we finally had our turn. By the time we got up the the clerk was talking to himself...really he was...long conversations. I kept looking around to see who he was talking to but there wasn't anyone there.....funny! Got our Nissan Micra (clown car)...

Apr 12, 2013 - Pisa

We woke up in Cinque Terre, had breakfast, bought 3 lemon marmalades from Carla and headed out. We stopped in Pisa on the way "home". This was our first experience with sight-seeing in a more major town. We definitely didn't have it figured out yet. We found a place to park but the machine only accepted coins, of which we had a few. We paid for an hour. It took us 20 minutes to find the tower... on the way there we stopped and bought the souvenirs requested by the kids. Took pictures of the tower and decided to walk to the top. Bought...

Apr 8, 2013 - Pisa

Today was our first road trip. Yikes! Reading a map was interesting. Trying to follow road signs was even more interesting. Making split-second decisions while someone is riding your bumper (polite version) was just downright scary! The roads are incredibly curvy and have many, many round abouts. That keeps traffic moving well, but as you are going around, you also need to read the list of signs to find the name of where you want to go and which way the arrow is pointing. I would have taken a picture of this, but I was too busy hanging on...

Nov 27, 2012 - Pisa

Our first stop was Pisa. It was the only day that we had bad weather. We had signed up for a tour on the Arno River, but it was canceled, and instead we had a tour around the city on a trolley with absolutely NO SHOCKS! We were really glad to finally get to the Leaning Tower. We ended at the Leaning Tower which also has a huge church and a baptistery next to it. One of the interesting things about the tower is that it depends on the angle that you look at it whether it appears to be leaning! (see pics)Unfortunately, we only had a ½ hour to...

Oct 17, 2012 - Pisa

This morning after some breakfast we head off by train to Pisa a short trip some 20 minutes and there it is the Torre Pendente the leaning tower of Pisa, wow does it lean, lol, a short walk about and it is off to the top of the tower. Because of the lean only 30 people can be in the tower at any one time so must get a ticket for a time spot to climb the 296 steps to the top, very nice view from the top. The tower is the bell tower for the very large cathedral next to it, building started in 1173 and continued for the next 100 years standing...

Oct 13, 2012 - Pisa

Saturday October 13 We had an early breakfast and managed to be out of the villa around 10:00. Today the caretaking service was coming in to change the linen and clean the villa; it happens once a week. It had rained again overnight but the clouds were beginning to clear as we set out. Today our destination was Pisa, via the Autostrada towards Florence and then using another major connector road, known as the ‘FI-PI-LI’. We passed the airport at Pisa, so we know where to take Robert when he flies back on Tuesday, then navigated to the town...

Oct 10, 2012 - Pisa

We had slept with the doors to our balcany open last night and were woken before dawn by the sound of the dogs baying as they set off on the hunt for the day. Being in the vacinity of a hunt was never something I thought would happen in my wildest imagination. I have no idea what they are hunting, possibly wild boar fom which the, local hams and salami is made. Our days adventure started with something that no trip to Tuscany would be complete without a side trip to Pisa. It's not considered a major destination because for most people the...

Aug 30, 2012 - A Day Off in Pisa

Hey folks. It was a do nothing day. Well, kinda. Woke up around 1030am which was awesome! Could have slept for Another 3 hours, but not really a nice thing to do when living at a person's place. Simona worked for a good bit on some things she had to do for work the next day. It was trip writing time for me. So, I wrote two reports and added the pictures. Guh, it took way too long! During this time, I was having camera Battery issues as stated in my prior email update.  Hopefully it just needs a break from charging. I'll have to wait and...

Aug 28, 2012 - Day 4 - Pisa and San Gimignano

August 28......the road to San Gimignano by way of Pisa After a lovely breakfast at Hotel Liberty on the waterfront in Viareggio, we left promptly at 9:00 for our trek to San Gimignano (pronounced "sahn jee-meen-YAH-noh"). Try pronouncing that a few times and let me know how it works for you - I'm still struggling with it! We rode through more beautiful hills and valleys, and stopped for a peek at the leaning Tower of Pisa. For you non-history majors that need a refresher, the tower began leaning shortly after construction began around...

Aug 26, 2012 - Toscana, take two

And it's morning again, well, I didn't roll of the inflatable bed till 1130am. Started the day off with a big cup of American Coffee, Espresso on the side and a nice lil pastry. Starting to dig this morning ritual! Well, it's planning day, however no WiFi its a lil difficult. Plans were to plan some of my trip, get some Petroleum for the car, an errand to the electronics store to repair the WiFi Router and do a proper Apertivo on the Ocean in the evening. So, I'm heading to Venice tomorrow for the day and not Rome. I purchased the tickets...

Aug 24, 2012 - Pisa by Day and Couch-Surfing Host by Night

So, up this morning kinda late. Got out of bed around 1030am. Check out was at 1030, but finding they are more relaxed here in the hostels.  Plus, I had privileges bestowed upon me by Dan, the Scottish Guy working the front desk. Well, I didn't leave around 1pm so I could finish up my trip reports. Pisa is rather small and anything u need to see u can do it in a day. I mean, the Leaning Tower of Pisa was the only thing on my list and anything on the way there and back to the train station was just filler. On my way to the tower, I stopped...

Jul 1, 2012 - Viareggio to Pisa 25ks

Sunday 1/7/12 Viareggio to Pisa 25ks Another hot sunny morning. After only 750m of road we join the cycle/Walking path to the sea. Very relaxed riding and the tall trees offer some shade. The beach here is very busy being so close to the town, so we decide to cycle until we find a more peaceful spot. We pass through a couple of huge restaurant/ beach resort areas, cars, scooters and bicycles everywhere. We witnessed “parking rage” horns blaring, drivers yelling at each other, crazy. We had to weave our way through it all. One driver cut in...