We went on a 6-hour day trip (via a 1-hour train ride) to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Jeremy, who thought it would be hilarious to take all sorts of inappropriate <forced perspective> pictures with the Leaning Tower, chickened out when he got there. He refused to be one of the stupid tourists making a fool out of themselves. The rest made fools out of ourselves.
Doing our part to hold it up!
There is nothing like the variety of sensations you get when climbing the tower. As you climb up the bell tower, it is pretty cool how the lean distorts reality. It causes you to "fall" up, over and back as you complete a spiral around. At the top it was so peaceful - we sat on the steps and enjoyed the view for a while. Then we ate a picnic lunch, relaxing on the lawn.
View from the top
Looking over the Pisa complex - The Field of Miracles
Relaxing at the top
Walking down the topsy-turvy stairs
Picnic lunch
Jeremy caved. He made it 13 days. He is now the proud owner of a selfie stick. I can be an official tour guide now, and hold it high in the air when we walk!
We ate dinner again in the "Oltrarno" - the other side of the Arno River - at l'Pizzacchiere. Our own private waitress and the food were impeccable!
Since we were so close to Piazzale Michelangiolo again, and Jeremy and Kate missed out the night before, we went there for a quick stop. On the long set of stairs to get up to it, Kate and I had to chuckle when we overheard a little girl say, "I can't mom, my feet really really hurt." Kids call it like it is - yeah, we all feel that way!
Stairs up to Piazzale Michelangiolo
View over Florence
Artistic renditions to the Wrong Way signs
Jeremy found a Lambo ... finders keepers, right?
Logistics:
- We bought our €8 train tickets to Pisa at the station (a day in advance), and then stamped them at the platform before we got on.
- The Leaning Tower of Pisa was the very last reservation I made before we left. The tickets are only sold 20 days in advance.
- When we arrived to the Field of Miracles at 10:15, I was surprised to discover that there was actually 3 available tickets for the next tower climb at 10:45.
- Absolutely no bags are allowed. Show your ticket, and check them for free.
- Since our visit 4 years ago, they no longer allow you to go to the very top. More people go per timed group, and you are not restricted to 20 minutes.
