Pisa is not a dump, not a cesspit. It's just a city that the allies have thoroughly bombed during WwII. Only the Campo dei Miracoli was spared by the bombs (and a few other monuments escaped by chance). It was, obviously, rebuilt afterwards, but it is not surprising that it was rebuilt as a modern industrial city, afterwards it is one of the main indutrial areas of Italy (along with Milano, Turin, Genova, Livorno, Mestre and Naples).

Thanks again everyone for your input. It is interesting how you can tell people with similar tastes to yourself by what comments they make.

I think the final verdict for us is going to be to swing by rather quickly, have a quick photo, maybe get some food and be on our way.

As I said, I still like the idea of going UP things, but considering all the places I HAVE been in Italy and all the other places we are yet to go on this trip...

It sounds like you either need a LOT of time to see things properly there and get past the junky facade to see all the little quirks of the place or do it quickly.

Doesn't sound like there's much room for an in-between!

Thanks again everyone!

I honestly believe if you have to ask this question seriously then Pisa will not be "worth it" for you. I notice you haven't asked if Florence is "worth it" and if you did you might very well be surprised at some of the answers you get. I've been to Pisa and found myself absolutely transfixed by the tower at one point..but I was also transfixed by some of the artwork in Florence, too.
I just think if you have to ask then it won't be worth it for you.

Well, Bootman, I have to admit you have a point there!

I know the places I definitely want to go, but since we are passing by Pisa and missed it last time, since it's such a well-known landmark, we may as well pop by.

My husband, however, who was a tour guide and has been there a million times thinks it's a waste of time.

So you can see my dilemma.

Maybe I've got too much time on my hands, but I find it interesting getting everyone's point of view on this and many other things, just to have fun anticipating the trip if nothing else!

One more thought: if you are travelling from Florence to Milano, you will neeed to take a pretty substantial detour from the main road. Florence and Milano are connected by the A1, which is the main, largest and fastest (except for the Firenze-Bologna part, that can get pretty crowded) autostrada. In order to get to Pisa, you will have to drive all the way along the usually chocked Firenze-Mare autostrada, than turn suth towards Iisa. After you are done with pisa, move back north until La Spezia, and up towards par ma along the Cisa austroada (also choked with trucks, usually driven by Duel-like mad drivers) and take the A1 in Parma. Lots of time more driving. I would not hit Pisa during this transfer. I would instread, drive straight up from Firenze to Milano. So much faster and less tiring!!!

Thanks for the intelligent post, Alice. This is one of the sticking points for us, that we have to go a bit out of the way to even bother with Pisa.

We're only in Milan for the f1 Grand Prix in Monza because we realized we'd be there at that time and couldn't bring ourselves to miss it!

We had originally planned to touch down in Rome and leisurely make our way up to Cinque Terre via San Gimignano, Florence, Pisa, etc., but now that we're rushing to go to the GP, we're having to scale everything back a bit.

We will only be in Milan for 2 nights, and 1 day, and will need to be in Milan the day we are driving up from Florence, so that we can make our 5:45pm reservation to see "The Last Supper"!

So anyway, I think you're probably right...save Pisa for another trip when we're not so rushed, so we don't have to stress about getting to Milan "on time"!

A few more thoughts about Monza GP and Milano. You do not actually need a car for this part of the trip, so, unless you will need a car afterwards, you may consider dropping it in Florence, coming to Milano by train, going to Monza by train + bus (it seems quite complex, but I assure you that it is fsater and more confortable than by car: I mean, I can hear the cars from my home as they are racing in Monza, so I know the crowds!) and... Do not miss a troll in the center of Monza! Nice medieval and XIX century town center!

Thanks again Alice.

We're taking our car to Milan, but we're taking the train from Milan to Monza for the race.

That's why we wanted to be located relatively near one of the main train stations, preferably Garibaldi.

I suppose it would make sense for us to check and see which hotel, the Verdi or the Four Seasons has cheaper, more convenient, or more secure parking too!

bump

Do not stay near Porta Garibaldi, it's a quite ugly area. Just make syre your hotel is close to a subway station, the subway network in Milano is very efficient and the trins are safe tro travel on at all hours of the day and the night.