Where to go from Pisa
 

Hi all,

My friend is going to be visiting Pisa to see his girlfriend, and because I have some time off around the same time I'm thinking of flying out and meeting him there. The plan is to meet in Pisa and then head somewhere else, but we're having a hard time deciding where to go. There are just so many options. I've only ever been to England, so I've still got a lot to see. I'm just looking to get some opinions on where we should go from Pisa. We aren't opposed to travelling for a long time to reach somewhere, ideally by train, but it would probably be better to stay within 10ish hours from Pisa. We're both in our early 20's, enjoy beer and food (shocking I know), sports/leisure activities, etc. Would be nice to go somewhere that has a good mix of history and the ability to access what I've listed above. Will be going in May so weather shouldn't be too much of an issue. Some cities we've discussed are Stockholm, Helsinki, Berlin, Zurich, Dubrovnik, Zadar, Prague and Rome. Rome would be the easiest, but it might be nice to go somewhere a bit lesser travelled. Anyways we're very open to most cities, so I'd love to hear some thoughts. Cheers!

All of those other places you mention besides Rome are "well traveled" and very touristy, with the exception of Helsinki, which I personally found pleasant but not very exciting (there's a reason some places aren't super popular with tourists). I love Prague and Dubrovnik but they are mobbed with tourists but are much smaller than Rome so feel even more touristy, in my opinion. At least Rome is a huge city with more than just touristy stuff.

If you want places that are less touristy, try the Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia). Tallinn, Estonia and Riga, Latvia do get cruise ship passengers, though, so can seem very touristy (especially Tallinn).

Or try the Balkan countries. You could see Dubrovnik and Zadar in Croatia but also go inland to Bosnia and Herzegovina (that's the name of one country, sometimes referred to simply as "Bosnia."). You might find flights to Dubrovnik (or Split) from Pisa or Milan and fly home from Zagreb, Croatia.

Personally, though, I'd just stay in Italy if you've never been. Plenty to see and do, easy to get to everything by train.

Hey Andrew, thanks for your reply! I suppose when I labeled Rome as well travelled I just meant it's sort of one of the big three you think of when you hear Europe, the others being Paris and London. Not that there's anything wrong with seeing these places, but when I was in England some of my favourite places were smaller cities like Brighton and Torquay, so I was thinking more along those lines. But you're right, the other cities I listed are still relatively well travelled. I hadn't considered Bosnia at all, I'll be sure to look into it.

I have been to the Balkans (well, to the former Yugoslavian countries) a few times, and there are some very touristy spots like Dubrovnik (still great) but otherwise I felt it much less visited, at least by Americans, than places like Italy (which I also loved in parts, though the pervasiveness of other American tourists almost everywhere I went got a bit tiresome after a while). I really enjoyed visiting this part of Europe and know I'll go back again. I think Slovenia is my favorite of the Balkan countries I've visited (also Croatia, Montenegro, and Bosnia), but I would also highly recommend visiting all of those places too. You can cross borders pretty easily - I wouldn't get hung up on just one country.

If you're interested in visiting Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, and Montenegro I highly recommend picking up the Rick Steves Croatia/Italy book - he gives a great overview of the highlights of the country with good practical advice and subjective points of view. You can also watch his PBS Europe TV shows for free on YouTube to see what some of these areas are like.

The thing you might not like about the Balkan countries is that train service is a bit limited in parts. You'll probably need to take buses (which are pretty good in Europe, though I greatly prefer trains) or rent a car. I've rented a car in all of those countries I've visited in the Balkans and found driving very easy there (shouldn't be a lot of tourist traffic on the roads yet in May, either).

But again, there's nothing wrong with just staying in Italy, either. And it does have a fantastic train system to get you almost anywhere in the country.

cstasui , you don't mention how long you've got for this trip, which would help us in recommending places to go to after Pisa. If you've only got 5 or 6 days on the ground, you don't want to be travelling between places for much of it.

I've never heard Berlin described as "very touristy" before. There are very few parts of Berlin where one sees only tourists or souvenir shops or such. Likewise Zurich or Stockholm. Really puzzed by that comment.

Pisa has great cheap flights to almost everywhere. If you like beer and food, I suggest Belgium. You can fly to Brussels but I would prefer to stay in Antwerp, just a short train ride away. Antwerp has interesting historic sights and using the trains, you can visit small towns of interest like Ghent or Bruges (except Bruges IS touristy). It's very easy to rent a bike and go cycling. There is lots of music and nightlife in Antwerp. If you've got more time, you can include Amsterdam, just a few hours away by train (but the food is nowhere near is good.)

Berlin is great if you want a big city with loads of interesting things to visit. I'm not as crazy about the food overall, but beer is good and there are probably ways to enjoy sports if you do a little research. I think it is much easier to find something like AirBnb in Antwerp, because Berlin is cracking down on that.

If you want to stay in Italy, Rome has a craft beer scene and so do Milan and Turin. They are all easy to get to by train. Turin probably gets the fewest tourists and has more outdoor activities. Airbnb is a good way to find places to stay in Italy.

Like armoire said you have Ryanair flights from Pisa.
I paid several times around 12 euros return trips to Charleroi (Bxl south airport - 1 hour and a half bus to Anywerpen).
Warsaw etc available. Pisa airport is 10 min and 10 euros from downtown.
Read the fine print about luggage if you have more than a small bag.

frencharmoire: <i>I've never heard Berlin described as "very touristy" before. There are very few parts of Berlin where one sees only tourists or souvenir shops or such. Likewise Zurich or Stockholm. Really puzzed by that comment.</i>

I'm puzzled that people recommend visiting Antwerp - but hey, we all have different travel tastes!

I would stay in Italy and see some of the smaller cities, as well as Rome, Naples, Florence and Venice. You wouldn't consume so much of your time in travel. Bologna, Verona, Assisi, Perugia, Lucca (very near Pisa and a charming small walled city), Siena, are some that come to mind.

Of course, all those places--like most places in Europe--have lots of tourists. But they have tourists for a good reason: they have a lot to offer.

The food in Italy is second to none and of course there is lots of wine and beer. All the places I've listed are historic.

Beer in Italy ?
I agree about food, wine, I can add nice clothes and classy women.

But no beer. Beer is found only in Belgium. I swear. The beer elsewhere is total disaster. You'll find great beer in Belgium I guarantee it. It is going to be Belgium first for beer. Belgium. First.

Andrew,

I'll overlook your rudeness and simply ask you: What did you find "very touristy" about Zurich or Berlin or Stockholm. I'm not puzzled you recommended the Balkans. I'm puzzled you wrote that "all" the places of interest to the person who asked the question are "very touristy". This isn't a matter of your personal taste. Most people would find "very touristy" that a highly misleading description of Berlin, Zurich and Stockholm. I mentioned it because I don't want the 20+ year old who asked the question, presumably looking for at least somewaht accurate advice, has the impression these places are "very touristy". Where did you go in those place that fits that description? (Checkpoint Charlie?)

I don't think I will overlook the not-so-veiled putdown of the suggestion of Antwerp. First of all, have you ever been? Do you like beer and good food? Perhaps the person who asked the question, cstasul, has interests that are closer to mine than yours.

But will keep an open mind about descriptions of Berlin, Zurich & Stockholm as "very touristy." I don't think they are at all, but maybe we went different places in these large cities. We certainly must have gone to different places in Italy. I would hardly judge the entire country as full of Americans. Nuts.

Wo--

Italy has beer--Moretti and Peroni are both acceptable beers It may not be as good as in some other countries (including Belgium), but for those who do not drink wine, beer is an option.

BTW--I like Antwerp, and Belgium in general. I just think that the OP would find everything in Italy without spending so much time travelling around Europe.

Now I love Belgian beer, but it is old news that the beer in Italy is no good. There is a major craft beer industry in Italy, and I consider it some of the best in the world! Just ask for "birra artiginale."