Earlier this year (a lot earlier this year - May, in fact) we took a trip to Italy. We'd talked of going to Italy for years but it always seemed too expensive, then last September some bargain-price flights came up to Pisa so we booked it on a whim and started to plan. Turns out, it was really expensive. But it was also the best trip we've ever had so I'd say it was worth it.
We flew into Pisa extremely early one Monday morning (never let me book a 7am flight again) and headed straight to drop off our bags at the Grand Hotel Duomo (amazing location, cheap, the shower was awful) and grab some lunch. Pisa itself is quite a small city, with the majority of the tourist spots gathered around one spot. We were only there for one night so despite the rain and having got out of bed around 3am, we had lots to see. But first, pasta and wine.
We purchased our tickets for the Tower and the other nearby sights in advance - entrance to the tower is only possible in pre-booked 30 minute slots, so I strongly advise doing this. We first went to the Baptistery, where I remember hearing guides singing as a child. I was delighted that they still do this. The sound, as their voices echo around the enormous dome is amazing.
We then had a wander around the cathedral which, as our first cathedral of the trip was breathtaking - little did we know there would be so much more ornate architecture, stone, paintings and gold to come.
After a coffee & gelato break, and shelter from the torrential rain, it was time to climb the tower. Note: bags and umbrellas aren't allowed in the tower. You have the leave them in the free cloakroom before joining the queue for your allotted timeslot. Do not do as we did and ignore this vital piece of information and have to queue twice in the rain, the second time without umbrellas.
By the time we'd finished in the tower, and taken the obligatory photos, it was almost 5pm and almost closing time, so we just had time so slip into the Camposanto Monumentale. Being so late in the day, we were almost the only people in there, and it was a very welcome break from the heaving crowds outside.
The Camposanto is filled with stone tombs and carvings, all set in a rectangular corridor around an immaculate green lawn and rose garden. It's not really possible to describe the stillness and peace of this beautiful place other than to say you feel as though you are a world away from the thousands of people on the other side of the door.
After a very busy, rainy day of sightseeing, we headed to our hotel's rooftop bar for cocktails at sunset and then headed just over the road to Il Peperoncino for spaghetti with seafood, wine and tiramisu.
The next morning we were up super early to catch a train to my favourite city. Florence.
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