Opinions on Pisa
 

I was considering a day trip to Lucca & Pisa from Florence. However, I've read mixed opinions on whether Pisa is worth the trouble, the Tower aside. <BR><BR>I'd appreciate any opinions

I thought it said 'onions in Pisa' -- I must be hungry. I do apologize.

There isn't a lot to see in Pisa but we spent an enjoyable half-day visiting the Tower and the Baptistry. My husband had always wanted to see the Tower so for us it was worth it, but that was the only real attraction.

Dear Anon<BR>I remember sitting in Geography class in the 6th grade and looking at a picture of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and wanting to go to Italy and see it. So, for me it was very worth while. It was a fast trip, we were in and out of Pisa pretty fast as there was nothing else we wanted to do. We went on to Lucca and walked the walls, enjoyed doing that, had dinner and went back to Florence. It was an enjoyable day.

We rode from Florence to Pisa's Leaning Tower in The Field of Miracles in September 2000 with a couple who drove a car, stayed 2 hours and drove on to Cinque Terre. Very beautiful & impressive, and worth the visit. This May we will be in Florence with other friends using trains, and everyone wants to visit the Leaning Tower, etc. QUESTION: ANY SUGGESTIONS GETTING TO PISA FROM FLORENCE VIA TRAIN OR PERHAPS BOOK A 1/2 DAY TOUR SERVICE. COMMENTS PLEASE.

Bart, it's easy to get to Pisa from Florence, there are trains just about every hour, and they take only about an hour. Cheap, too.<BR><BR>Once at the train station there is a bus to take you to the tower, or you can take a taxi. Enjoy your trip.

The tower, the baptistry, the church, the cemetary and the mini-museums are worth a 1/2 day visit to the 'leaning tower complex'. Time well spent.

I wouldn't spend more than half a day in Pisa, but Lucca & Pisa together make a good day-trip.

Be sure to walk (run if you can) up the tower. It is a unique experience

The problem is that you can't book in advance yet for the tower and they don't know when that will be possible.<BR><BR>You have to get a ticket early in the day - it will have a time on it and you come back at that time, it could be in the afternoon if there are lots of visitors.<BR>See news:<BR>http://www.italywithus.com/<BR>

The leaning Tower is worth a visit. Now that it is open again you want to try to climb to the top. We did that in 1971 and got some great shots. We were then back in the area twice...1999 and 6 months later in 2000...and it was still closed and under repair. We knew that, but it was still disappointing not to go back inside and up. You really notice the lean from the inside.<BR><BR>Lucca...been there 2 times and have never discovered the "joy" of Lucca. Everyone says it is great, but we were with a large group on our second trip and the group was ready to leave early.

HATED IT! Two snaps down, girlfriend. The only thing I enjoyed about Pisa were the beautiful, carved doors of the Cathedral. But, why go to Pisa just for that when there are so many other places with greater art and architecture. There is nothing fantastic about the Tower, other than that it leans. The worst thing about Pisa are all the souvenir stands surrounding the "Tower complex." You feel like you are at Italian Walmart.

We are thinking to take a day trip to Pisa from Rome. Can anybody tell me how long is the trip by train? Thanks.

The worst thing about Pisa is the area immediately around the tower. Yes, it is filled with tacky souveneir stands. But we spend a wonderful night in Pisa on the river and enjoyed it. You have to get away from the tower area, however. Pisa is one for the very few cities in Italy where I felt like I was the only tourist. We were sent to a great restaurant for locals where no one spoke a word of English and we were treated like guests in the house. We enjoyed wandering streets that were actual working streets for the locals, not geared for tourists. I found it to be a refreshing change and a vibrant but interesting city.<BR>

John G, you are a hoot! "Italian Walmart" --- so true, so true. Souvenir stands around the Tower are the ultimate in tackiness. <BR><BR>I'd put Pisa on the "Grade B" list. Not a top tier attraction or a must-see. If you're in the neighborhood or this is a second visit to Italy, what the heck, go for it.

Hi,<BR><BR>The Campo dei Miracoli in Pisa is one of the most beautiful piazzas in all of Italy. Go into the baptistry and see if you can persuade a guard to sing for you. The accoustics are amazing! You can climb up into the dome for great views and some insight into how the building was built. Behind the baptistry is the Camposanto, an interesting enclosed cemetary. Also, there's a little corner of the city wall you can climb (for a fee of course) that I thought was pretty neat. I agree with Patrick--once the tourist busses leave or if you venture away from the leaning tower area, you'll feel like the only non-Italian in the town!<BR><BR>In my opinion, definitely worth the trip!<BR><BR>Patti

Tess, you certainly are a "hardy" traveller. By the way, how is your husband, Angel, doing?? I was very sorry to here about your cow dying. Cheers, thanks alot, John G.

I think Pisa totally gets a bad rap.... the town, not the tower. Take the train from Florence to Pisa and WALK to the tower area. You will walk through an enchanting Italian University town. It's where I learned to park my bike just using the kick stand and a curb.<BR><BR>The tower itself is worth a little time, just to see it and take the obligatory picture of you "holding it up" but the walk will be the part you will remember.

Just did the day trip from Florence to Pisa in January. Arrived in Pisa around noon and couldn't get a ticket for the tower until 4:30 - which worked out great because we were able to watch the sun set. But I would recommend getting there earlier. Cheap train ticket from Florence to Pisa and short trip. The view from the top of the tower is absolutely worth a day trip.

Grasshopper, etc.: The WALK from the train to the tower sounds very interesting. How far of a walk??? <BR><BR>Andi: You say the train is "cheap and short" How cheap & how short?? <BR><BR>We will be in Florence 3 nights and may take early train to Pisa.