I hope that this is just the sort of questioon you all love to answer!
We are due to arrive at Pisa at about 10.30am and hope to get a train straight to Florence arriving at lunchtime. AS we can't get the keys to our apartment til 4pm, are there left luggage facilities at the main station?
Thanks in advance for all help
ciao, Ann

According to Trenitalia, there is a manned left-luggage facility at the main train station in Florence, Firenze Santa Maria Novella.

But why not stay in Pisa for a couple of hours - take the train from the airport into the main station Pisa Centrale, leave the bags at the Bagagli (left-luggage) window and walk to the Field of Miracles with the cathedral and the famous leaning tower?

It's a nice typical town, with a pedestrian-only street (borgho Stretto I think) as long as you head from the train station along Corso Italia past the Post Office to the river and cross it - then when you come out at the other end where the old center suddenly gives way to an intersection at the old city walls, look left and head for it.

You won't believe how much it actually leans when you see it against the regular buildings.

If you make advance reservations you can go up on the tower. with small guided groups by appointment, but it is not really necessary - just hang out on the field, buy some souvenirs (a bezillion are waiting for you...), and head back.

Have lunch in town on your way back to the station, the legstretch and food will do you good, and by the time you pick the next train (no reservations needed) and get to Firenze S.M.N. you'll be able to check into your hotel.

Make sure that you validate (time-stamp) the train ticket before boarding - stick it into a yellow box near the access to the platform, or you will have an animated conversation with the conductor, and you will lose the argument...

Enjoy!

annhig - I can't answer your question. But I do have a question for you. How long will you be in Florence? I will be there the 22nd-28th and was wondering if you were up for a GTG? Maybe lunch or dinner.

Fellow Fodorite DaffyLaurie will be there too and she and I are planning on getting together for dinner as well as a daytrip to Lucca.

Tom

Hi y'all. Thanks for the info eloise - I went to the trenitalia site to look at train timetables, but didn't think to look about left luggage. Perhaps this message board is making me lazy?

Wally- thanks to you too - we are spending the last day of our trip in Pisa, as we have an early flight out, and already have our reservations for the leaning tower. my DH and i went 25 years ago, and loved the campo dei miracoli, and we are looking forward to seeing it through our children's eyes, as well as the hotel we stayed in then where we have booked for our last night!
nostalgia rules OK.
TRSW - we'll be there from 23rd to 29th - so a meeting might well be on the cards! [how exciting, you and Daffy would be the first fodorites I've actually met!] Do you want to e-mail me where you are staying? we are in an apartment, so it might be easier for me to find you than vice versa. [[email protected]]Look foarward to hearing from you.
Thanks to all, Ann