Quick Stop: Pisa
Written: Jul 03 '03 (Updated Jul 04 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: One of the most recognizable sights in the world.
Cons: Quite touristy
The Bottom Line: Get there early to avoid crowds.
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| AlexG's Full Review: Pisa |
There are seemingly endless day trip possibilities out of Florence, and when pressed for time, Pisa particularly "leans" out of the pack because, frankly, it can be done as a 1/2 day trip. Pisa is one hour away from Florence by train, and if you leave Florence at 8am, you'll have enough time to see the Leaning Tower, the Duomo, and Baptistry, have breakfast, and be back in Florence by 1-2pm.
The Leaning Tower is about a 1.5 mile walk from the train station, which gives one an opportunity to walk through the streets of Pisa and see something besides its main tourist attractions. I found the town nice but nothing special. Pisa is a college town. 1/3 of the population are students.
The early morning (before 10am) is the best time to see the Leaning Tower. First, you will avoid the hordes of tourists that descend upon the area like vultures from crags. Second, if you are into photography (and everyone takes pictures of the Tower) you'll get a better shot from a photography point of view when the sun is shining on the Tower and the Cathedral facade.
I found the Leaning Tower fascinating -- certainly one of the most recognizable sights in the world. I visited Pisa in mid-April of 2003. The tower has been stabilized and people are allowed to go up the Tower (15 Euros--for my money, the biggest ripoff in Europe). It's free standing nowadays, i.e. no heavy cables keep it from falling like they used to.
This is what it looks like...
http://www.gimmelwald.com/pics/europe/pisa.jpg
The Cathedral, built in the 11-13th centuries, is a bargain compared to the Tower. Only 2 Euros. Definitely worth the visit! Admittedly, if you are coming from Florence, another Cathedral is not going to impress you as much as if you had come from any other place, but it's really impressive nevertheless.
Well-connected by rail to Florence and Cinque Terre and on the way from Torino to Rome, Pisa is worthy of a few hours of your time.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
AlexG
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Location: New York, NY
Reviews written: 130
Trusted by: 237 members
About Me:
Alex has a voracious appetite for travel. Travel hasn't satisfied an appetite. It's created one.
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