Florence and Pisa

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SKII

SKII

Private Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2004
Looking to book a short break there next Easter...any top tips or suggestions for hotels etc?

Cheers
 
SKII said:
Looking to book a short break there next Easter...any top tips or suggestions for hotels etc?

Cheers
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Visited both many years ago.

Pisa- at that time- was very little other than the obvious leaning tower, but it'll be where you have to fly to and from. You would be better off scheduling time in Siena, which is very nice and loaded with history which puts some of the Florentine narrative in context: the two cities were at war once upon a time!

You should book tickets for the uffizi well in advance. Botticelli's 'Birth of Venus' (or was it 'Primavera'?) is stunning in the flesh.

If you can, go to Fiesole- brilliant views, intriguing history in relation to hermits and very peaceful.

I went to the calcio (Batistuta era- best cf I've ever seen) and it was (ahem) lively! It was fairly easy to get tickets but the stadium was a crumbling wreck.

Hope that helps.

P
 
Lucca worth a visit. Great day walking round the city walls.


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SKII said:
Looking to book a short break there next Easter...any top tips or suggestions for hotels etc?

Cheers
Click to expand...

Agree with most of what PaddyBarry says. We only stayed a night in Pisa at the very old school Royal Victoria Hotel - shared bathrooms, no air conditioning and being slap in the centre of things there were a load of teenagers hanging around by the river at the front which probably would have been bugging if we hadn't been out drinking til late ourselves. It is charming though and was cheap. Pisa is pretty small but worth a visit for the obvious reason.

Siena is definitely worth a visit if you have time. It does carry much the same as Florence in terms of spectacular Cathedrals and old Italian charm but is quieter so would mean you can take your time. You can get buses from Florence no problem.

Like Broonie says I would also take a trip to Lucca if you have the time - really impressive place with lots of history, good food and wine.

Florence is amazing. There are sooooo many great places throughout the city. Get a guide book and try and work out what you fancy - and look at tripadvisor so you can work out whether the hassle involved for certain things is
worth it. We had tickets for the Uffizi - they are timed entry but we still had to wait in line for at least an hour and the place was rammed inside. The nightlife is great - explore the city both sides of the river, sit in city square cafes and try some off the track restaurants. Just be aware of all the cool kids zipping about on their Vespas. We went about 8 years ago so I'm gonna think most the places have changed a bit so you should look for more contemporary names.

We also did a great bike tour of Tuscany that set off from Florence (we went in a mini-bus to the countryside then cycled to an old castle, a vineyard and a nice restaurant) but the company doesn't seem to be active any more but there's plenty others.

In terms of accommodation we rented an apartment in the Oltrarno area south of the river. Easily walking distance to everything if the temperature isn't too hot which in Easter won't be a worry.

As you can probably tell I'm a big fan of the area.
 
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Originally Posted by Sunshine on Leith

If you do happen to go to either city, you should go to the small village of Pontedera, the train stops between Pisa and Florence and it's only around 12 miles from Pisa - little further from Florence.

This will take you to the Piaggio museum where not only did they make the iconic Vespa, in the surrounding grounds of the museum they also made planes, trains and much more.

Lot's to see and it's free. LINK -PIAGGIO
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My youngest boy has a Vespa. Sure he would be interested in this :thumbgrin

Originally Posted by Sunshine on Leith

Cool!

Do you mind me asking the year and model?
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As he has only just turned 18 it has had to be a 50CC ET2 (R Reg) until now...but I know he is looking to move up to something more powerful in due course :thumbgrin
 
SKII said:
My youngest boy has a Vespa. Sure he would be interested in this :thumbgrin



As he has only just turned 18 it has had to be a 50CC ET2 (R Reg) until now...but I know he is looking to move up to something more powerful in due course :thumbgrin
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Give me a shout when he's ready :wink:

- - - Updated - - -

Been to Venice and thought it was amazing and wouldnt be topped, although if possible try and avoid a Sat/Sun as its tourist mayhem.

Then the following year I did the Pisa/Florence run you're thinking of and it was even better.

Agree with posters above, you could do Pisa in a day. I flew in and spent a night in Pisa, then train to Florence an 3 nights there, before returning to Pisa for one more night and then flying back.
 
StevieC said:
Give me a shout when he's ready :wink:
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Will need to decide soon. The 2 year CBT runs out soon and he'll need to do something about that :thumbgrin

Will keep you posted. Can't believe he's had the last one two years already. Has cost next to nothing to run, fuel wise :thumbgrin
 
In Florence there's a little pizza place next to the Duomo where you walk in and order and then you can sit downstairs. The walls are all marked up with people signatures and the year they were there. Still the best sausage pizza I've had in my entire life. Square Sicilian style slices too. If you happen to find it you've entered a good place in the world.
 
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