Searching for a flight from Baltimore to Florence I found that the Pisa airport comes up. Has anyone flown into this airport? Comments? Is it close enough to the center of Pisa that we could do a day in Pisa, stay there the first night, then go on to Florence the next morning? Any hotel suggestions in Pisa? <BR> <BR>Thanks

I was in Pisa this summer, as well as florence. Pisa's airport is bigger than the one in florence, and most international flights fly into there. I've never flown into Pisa itself, but according to the timetables on the trains, it is less than 5 minutes away. The same trains will take you to Florence in an hour or so.

As Jon informs, the airport in Pisa is very close to the old town. In case you elect to stay in a hotel in the old town centre, I advise you to take a taxi. It's quite cheap and not having to deal with luggage certainly pays. In case you opt for staying near the train station, the train would also be a good option. <BR> <BR>Below, I'm just pasting an old post of mine regarding hotels ... <BR> <BR>We last travelled to Pisa in 1997. At the time, we had contacted both, the Grand Duomo and Royal Victoria by fax and received an answer a couple of days after. We decided to go with the Royal Victoria (Lungarno Pacinotti 12, Tel +39 050 940111; Fax +39 050 940180; Lit 320,000 for two doubles + garage then) instead of the Grand Duomo (Lit 440,000 for the two doubles + garage). <BR> <BR>The Royal Victoria is the oldest hotel in town and has character (many personalities used it in the distant past) but it's past glamour looked somewhat decadent. When we were there restauration works were under way and it should have improved. Its location alongside the Arno river is nice and very convenient. The rooms overlooking the river, though, are quite noisy and I would prefer rooms in the back, without a view but silent. If the price is right, we would return (but would get a different room). <BR> <BR>I don't like the location of the reputedly best hotel in town, the Jolly Hotel Cavalieri, in the train station square ... this is somewhat distant of the sites and night life. <BR> <BR>A friend of ours has been in the Grand Duomo ... in principle he would return only if he would get lower rates. In other words, the Gran Duomo appears to charge just a bit too much for its prime location, once its ammenities arecloser to a top 3-star than a 4-star (according to my friend). <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

Thanks Jon & Paulo!

I flew into Pisa airport on purpose last June.It is fantastic! After Baltimore....you will think it is a village airport!Do stay in the Pisa area for at least a day.It is an easy drive to Lucca from there. Lucca is a real sleeper! It is a very compact ,charming walled city...north of Pisa.About a half hour drivethrough beautiful country. <BR> My Hotel recommendation is the "Villa Di Corliano.It is an easy drive from Pisa airport. It is located in Rigoli. It is an ancestral home&lt;the "Count" still lives there.&gt; The Hotel is very popular with Italians.They do speak English and take credit cards.Http://www.villadicorliano.com orFax:050818897 <BR> It is an experience you won't forget! The entire living room looks as if Michaelangelo spent his spare time painting there! <BR> I have another sort of farm/villa if you prefer that.. <BR> Pisa itself is worth an afternoon.Most people just see the Tower and leave..the walk along the river is delightful! <BR> It is very easy to do the drive to Florence from there...on the autostrada.