A flight to Pisa brings you to this medieval gem straddling the River Arno. Pisa is the gateway to Tuscany (land of olive trees and sunflowers) and its art-crammed jewel of Florence, 80km to the east.
In Pisa, you can behold one of Italy’s most beautiful squares – the Campo dei Miracoli – where the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and Baptistery are Gothic-Romanesque architectural masterpieces spread across a verdant lawn. All testify to Pisa’s maritime strength from the 9th to 13th centuries AD.
Away from the crowds, visit the peaceful idyll of Tenuta di San Rossore, one of Tuscany's most precious protected wildlife areas, with populations of wild deer, boar, and aquatic birds surrounded by beaches and wetlands (26km south-west of Pisa).
Pisan locals are very proud of their locally produced alabaster ceramics and ornaments. Do take home locally produced Chianti wine and the white beans which are simmered in olive oil and herbs to make Tuscan speciality, cannellini. Pisans are nicknamed the mangiafagioli (bean eaters) so choose any dish with fagioli in the title to find out why they like them so much. |