chrisk13

After a week in Florence followed by a week in the hill towns/Montepulclano, we will be returning our car at the Pisa airport and leaving the next day. We could spend the time in Pisa or take another day trip nearby (will already have spent one night before Florence in Lucca and done a day trip to Siena.)

Any suggestions for our last day/night to complete our memorable 40th anniversary trip?

Grazie!

bobthenavigator

I would try to see Volterra on your way to Pisa. That drive on S-68 is quite attractive.

chrisk13

That's a good suggestion. We had wanted to see it but the logistics might not have worked out. Would we be able to drop our car there and then catch at train to the Pisa airport the next morning? Or backtrack from Pisa for the night and return the next day?

bobthenavigator

Are you not driving from south Tuscany? Just stop there enroute.

chrisk13

Yes, but we want to drop the car off in Pisa the day before our 1 pm flight and have one less thing to be concerned about. (Like driving in rush hour traffic to the airport dropoff.)

klondiketoo

chrisk I wanted exactly what you described, and we did just that.

Drove to the airport, dropped off the car, and headed to Hotel Bologna which we had secured ahead through booking.com It is nearer to train station that to the leaning tower, about 15 minutes by taxi (10-15 euros depending on number of people and baggage). You can also make arrangements with the hotel for their shuttle if you prefer they pick you up at the airport.

This hotel is very service oriented, beautifully furnished and has a great breakfast buffet. Lovely garden to enjoy or pay a visit to their wine tasting late afternoon. Since it is not in the middle of tourist-ville on the other side of the Arno it is quiet at night yet safe to walk the streets. Be sure to book their shuttle the night before so you have a place. If you just show up there are sometimes more people wanting to get to the airport at the same time than they have seats (they have 2 vans)

Just down the street and around a low archway is a gourmet romantic restaurant we dine at every time we visit Pisa. The owner specializes in whiskies and fine spirits as well so it is a great evening. This is not a fast food place...it's the evening's raison d'être...so don't go there is you want in-and-out eating so you can do something else. Great special, romaintc atmosphere yet relaxed at the same time.

http://www.repubblichemarinare.eu/

I have other eateries we like as well, but they are about a half hour's walk on the other side of the river.

chrisk13

thanks, klondike2, that sounds like a plan. I checked the restaurant website and sitting outside looks wonderful. Can you reserve for the terrace?