To Pisa or Not
Jan 28th, 2005, 09:09 AM
#22
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Before we decided to take the train to Pisa (we were in Florence) for the afternoon I thought to myself, "I've seen pictures of the Leaning Tower a million times; how great can it be?"
BELIEVE ME, it was WORTH the trip. Yes, half of a certain well-known "photography group" was there taking the usual "holding up the tower" pictures (we had seen the OTHER half of this same group in the Sistine Chapel a few days prior) and yes, there were "tourists" (just like us) all over the place, including ones from Italy...and yes, it looks just like it does in the pictures BUT...
to see it up close and for real was truly remarkable.
So the tower itself and the other buildings nearby which ALSO lean to a much lesser extent are "worth it" IMO and so is the city itself if you are willing to explore.
Lucca????? OK, a lot of people like the place but you do NOT need to "combine" a trip to Pisa with anything else for it to be worth it IMO.
BELIEVE ME, it was WORTH the trip. Yes, half of a certain well-known "photography group" was there taking the usual "holding up the tower" pictures (we had seen the OTHER half of this same group in the Sistine Chapel a few days prior) and yes, there were "tourists" (just like us) all over the place, including ones from Italy...and yes, it looks just like it does in the pictures BUT...
to see it up close and for real was truly remarkable.
So the tower itself and the other buildings nearby which ALSO lean to a much lesser extent are "worth it" IMO and so is the city itself if you are willing to explore.
Lucca????? OK, a lot of people like the place but you do NOT need to "combine" a trip to Pisa with anything else for it to be worth it IMO.
Jan 28th, 2005, 11:04 AM
#23
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I think the tower is one of the least disappointing sites I've ever seen in person - more impressive than photographs by a mile. I saw it before the rennovations and I understand it leans less now, but I suspect it's still spectacular. Go by all means.
Jan 28th, 2005, 05:07 PM
#24
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I agree with Patrick and others. Our first trip to Italy which was for two month included stopping at Pisa. The tower was intersting, the catherad/bapistry so beautiful. And the old town wonderful.
Have never gone back to Pisa but certainly glad I was there at the time.
With a 10 night trip I am not sure that Pisa would be in my plans but then again if you are only going to take one trip to Italy and really want to see the tower then by all means do. But I think a few hours there is like going to Capri for a day trip rather then going to Capri and staying there.
Whatever you do, have a fabulous trip.
Have never gone back to Pisa but certainly glad I was there at the time.
With a 10 night trip I am not sure that Pisa would be in my plans but then again if you are only going to take one trip to Italy and really want to see the tower then by all means do. But I think a few hours there is like going to Capri for a day trip rather then going to Capri and staying there.
Whatever you do, have a fabulous trip.
Jan 29th, 2005, 03:44 AM
#25
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" I think the tower is one of the least disappointing sites I've ever seen in person - more impressive than photographs by a mile."
You're right. You think thst you know what it is going to look like from phoots, but it's very different stabnding there. Even if it weren't leaning, it would be a very impressive building.
You're right. You think thst you know what it is going to look like from phoots, but it's very different stabnding there. Even if it weren't leaning, it would be a very impressive building.
Jan 29th, 2005, 03:45 AM
#26
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"Of course, we went with our kids and there's a great playground there as well as the Piazza San Michelle where they could play with the pigeons"
You let you kids play with pigeons? That borders on child abuse. What's next? Rats?
You let you kids play with pigeons? That borders on child abuse. What's next? Rats?
Feb 5th, 2005, 03:26 PM
#28
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I am in the minority because I did not really like Pisa. And yes, I did walk around the city.
If I were going to be in the vicinity of Pisa, I would certainly stop and spend a few hours there. However, I would never go out of my way just to look at the tower, cathedral, or baptistry. Yes, they are very interesting, but you can find something interesting in almost every town in Italy.
Pisa is NOT one of those places that you just have to see before you die.
If I were going to be in the vicinity of Pisa, I would certainly stop and spend a few hours there. However, I would never go out of my way just to look at the tower, cathedral, or baptistry. Yes, they are very interesting, but you can find something interesting in almost every town in Italy.
Pisa is NOT one of those places that you just have to see before you die.
