PISA: invaluable quick tips, I just returned
May 8th, 2003 | 02:18 PM
#1
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PISA: invaluable quick tips, I just returned
May 7, 2003
I just returned from Italy. Here are some quick tips after my third visit to Pisa:
1. It costs 15 Euro for a ticket to climb to the top of the tower. A bit pricey.
2. The Duomo costs 2 Euro to enter.
3. Walk around any corner off the main piazza to get your drinks and snacks for half the price.
4.If driving into Pisa, you must follow any one of the following posted BROWN signs (they keep changing them every few road turns):
a. Torre Pendente
b. Piazza Duomo
c. Piazza di Mercali
If you don't have all these sign names handy you will surely get lost!!
5. Parking on the street costs 1 Euro per hour. Purchase your ticket at the corner of any street. Look for the big white "P" inside a blue-colored box. Put your ticket in your windshield.
Hope this helps save you some time and trouble! Look for my other "Quick Tips" on Rome, Siena, Florence, Amalfi, and Milan!
Ciao,
GailT
I just returned from Italy. Here are some quick tips after my third visit to Pisa:
1. It costs 15 Euro for a ticket to climb to the top of the tower. A bit pricey.
2. The Duomo costs 2 Euro to enter.
3. Walk around any corner off the main piazza to get your drinks and snacks for half the price.
4.If driving into Pisa, you must follow any one of the following posted BROWN signs (they keep changing them every few road turns):
a. Torre Pendente
b. Piazza Duomo
c. Piazza di Mercali
If you don't have all these sign names handy you will surely get lost!!
5. Parking on the street costs 1 Euro per hour. Purchase your ticket at the corner of any street. Look for the big white "P" inside a blue-colored box. Put your ticket in your windshield.
Hope this helps save you some time and trouble! Look for my other "Quick Tips" on Rome, Siena, Florence, Amalfi, and Milan!
Ciao,
GailT
May 8th, 2003 | 02:26 PM
#2
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Joined: Mar 2003
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Another note on Pisa from GailT:
I have read all of the other postings about whether the Tower is a disappointment or not (to both kids and adults).
We drove in to Pisa 15 years ago, so we were able to come and go at will. Maybe that made some difference rather than having to plan a full day around a train trip in and back but, this was my third visit and it still awes me. My 6 year old begged to go in 2001 so we agreed to return and still loved it. He was truly impressed so much so, that at the age of 8 he started whooping and hollering when we left it up to him as to whether we really needed to stop by to see it again enroute from siena to the italian riviera.
Upon arrival, lo and behold, i was as awed as I was the first and second times. We had a nice picnic lunch on the lawn and enjoyed our 2 hour visit immensely. Because this is such a world reknowned landmark, it is worth visiting. For the rest of your life, when anybody mentions the Leaning Tower, you can say: "I was there! I saw it!"
I have read all of the other postings about whether the Tower is a disappointment or not (to both kids and adults).
We drove in to Pisa 15 years ago, so we were able to come and go at will. Maybe that made some difference rather than having to plan a full day around a train trip in and back but, this was my third visit and it still awes me. My 6 year old begged to go in 2001 so we agreed to return and still loved it. He was truly impressed so much so, that at the age of 8 he started whooping and hollering when we left it up to him as to whether we really needed to stop by to see it again enroute from siena to the italian riviera.
Upon arrival, lo and behold, i was as awed as I was the first and second times. We had a nice picnic lunch on the lawn and enjoyed our 2 hour visit immensely. Because this is such a world reknowned landmark, it is worth visiting. For the rest of your life, when anybody mentions the Leaning Tower, you can say: "I was there! I saw it!"
May 8th, 2003 | 02:36 PM
#3
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,635
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Gail. We are making a day trip to Pisa in September. Do yo buy the tickets for the tower there? Are there long lines? Even though some people have remarked Pisa is a disappointment, I have always wanted to go up in The Leaning Tower. We're going to be staying not too far from Pisa, so it I think I'd kick myself if I didn't go.
May 15th, 2003 | 02:30 PM
#4
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The line was only 10 people long for tickets to the top. i think it was because they were so very expensive.
Yes, you buy the tickets right beside the tower. Look for the TICKET sign.
If you are staying nearby it is definitely worth the trip. and, if you are driving note carefully my warnings about how the brown signs change.
GailT
Yes, you buy the tickets right beside the tower. Look for the TICKET sign.
If you are staying nearby it is definitely worth the trip. and, if you are driving note carefully my warnings about how the brown signs change.
GailT
May 17th, 2003 | 09:26 PM
#6
Joined: May 2003
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Perhaps not the best time to economize. For twice the price you save yourself a block to and fro and get to soak in the a dead on view of the thing you flew half way around the world to see. And, it still isn't much. Try SF or NY on any given day, with no view.
The Italians have spent a fortune to keep the thing from landing on the cafes. It may be one of the most talked about spots on the planet. No time to turn back. It could go any second. If one is worried about credit, buy them on a credit card. There is always the chance one would not have to pay.
The Italians have spent a fortune to keep the thing from landing on the cafes. It may be one of the most talked about spots on the planet. No time to turn back. It could go any second. If one is worried about credit, buy them on a credit card. There is always the chance one would not have to pay.
May 18th, 2003 | 07:29 AM
#7
Joined: Jan 2003
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Silly question, but here goes..a friend of mine asked if when you are climbing the stairs in the Leaning Tower, do you really feel that the stairs are at a slant. My answer to her was yes..it's tilted and there fore the floor can't be straight..right?? Thanks!!
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Jun 7th, 2003 | 11:45 PM
#8
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Yes, the floor is definitely at a slant. When we climbed the Tower 15 years ago, there was no railing at the top and it was scary peering over the edge, filling disoriented and little dizzy from the slant. So easy to fall off! I'm not sure there is a railing now or even any access to the dangerous outdoor walkaround now... When it rained, it even got slippery!!
Jun 8th, 2003 | 03:24 AM
#9
Joined: Apr 2003
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One additional thought to Gail's. For someone planning the Pisa tower climb well in advance, they have a website for advanced reservation (The official website, check Google). You pay EUR 2 extra, but will be guaranteed a time.
However, the advanced reservation is only available on the Internet and only more than 15 days in advance (i.e. you can only reserve now for Jun 23 or after).
We were there a month ago, but did not have reservation. We arrived at 1pm and got tickets for 2:30pm. I can imagine the wait could be longer in the summer.
Hope this helps.
However, the advanced reservation is only available on the Internet and only more than 15 days in advance (i.e. you can only reserve now for Jun 23 or after).
We were there a month ago, but did not have reservation. We arrived at 1pm and got tickets for 2:30pm. I can imagine the wait could be longer in the summer.
Hope this helps.
