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| Discovering Tuscan Flavors - Lari and Volterra with Tuscan Lunch |
9 hours |
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This morning you will depart Pisa for Lari, a small and ancient middle-aged village to visit some craftsman workshops. You will see how spaghetti was invented and discover the secrets of its production. You will also taste local cakes with cherries from the area exported all over the world.
Next will be a visit to the charming and mysterious Vicari castle, the first written record of a castle in Lari dates from 962.
Transfer to a nearby wine cellar to have a lunch based on typical food products of the region (bruschetta, wine, extra virgin olive oil, salami).
After lunch, continue to Volterra where you will have free time to visit the city which was founded by the Etruscans and is positioned in a commanding spot on a rugged hill overlooking the valley.
In this village you can visit, with your guide, the Piazza dei Priori, market place since the 9th century, the Romanesque building of the Cathedral and the "Guarnacci Etruscan Museum" before returning back to Pisa.
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24 Hours |
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The world famous Leaning Tower of Pisa is only one of a trio of Romanesque splendours on the green carpet of Piazza dei Miracoli - a serious rival to Venice's Piazza San Marco for the title of Italy's most memorable square. The tour will take you just next to the wonderful Tower in Piazza dei Miracoli and will continue to the Historical Centre of Pisa with its Lungarni, the streets along the Arno river, and you can also enjoy an excursion to the Parco di San Rossore, a huge green area just outside the town. You can hop on and off as many times as you like aboard this open-top double-decker bus. The four tour routes are inter-connected so you can hop easily between them. Discover Pisa using two tour routes. Your ticket is valid on ALL routes. City Tour - Line A
The City Tour route takes approximately 50 minutes. Buses depart every 60 minutes and highlights include: Lugarno Mediceo, Via Crispi and Lungarno Simonelli Park Tour Tenuta di San Rossore - Line B
The Park Tour route takes approximately minutes. Buses depart 3 times a day and highlights include: Via Carlo Cammeo and Viale delle Cascine
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San Michele degli Scalzi
Out of the town centre here you will find the "real" leaning tower of Pisa. Situated on the Arno river banks, about a mile north of San Matteo, the church of Saint Michele of the Barefoot ones is maybe Pisa's most skewed "leaning tower". Founded as an monastery church for the Pulsanesi monks of Beato Giovanni di Monte Pulsano around 1025, the church had to bear several restorations and damages. The present building with the annexe convent, belonged to the Pulsanesi monks, dates back to the XII century. It has the typical absidal structure with nave and two aisles parted by columns with capitals of that period or of roman origin. The façade has a saddle roof and a raised central body and is covered with marble in the lower part; in the portal, Christ Benedictory (an imitation; the original one is kept in the Museum of San Matteo). Nothing stands straight up here - not the tower, not the outer walls, not the tiers of columns dividing the nave from the aisles ...
Take bus No. 13 or cycle along the Arno river.
Chiesa di San Stefano
Located next door to the "Palazzo dei Cavalieri" this 16th century church, designed by Vasari, once functioned as the order's church. Flags taken from the Battle of Lepanto set off the intricately inlaid wooden ceiling.
| type: | Churches |
| address: | Piazza dei Cavalieri |
| openinghours: | daily 8am - 12.30 & 4-7pm |
| Tuscan Wine Cellar and Cooking Course with Lunch and Dinner |
10.5 hours |
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Depart Pisa for Casciana Terme and enjoy some time to take a walk on the narrow central streets of the well-known spa center.
Transfer to a nearby wine cellar to have a lunch based on typical food products of the region (bruschetta, wine, extra virgin olive oil, salami).
After lunch, continue to a farm house in the greenery to start your cooking lessons. You will be given some useful tools, such as an apron, a knife and a cutting board. The professional cook will teach you to prepare some delicious Tuscan hors d'oeuvre Antipasti (canape, vegetable pie, courgette flowers) and to prepare pasta or soup dishes.
The choice of the recipes varies according to the season. At the end of the lesson you will enjoy the meal you have prepared yourself.
Excellent wines will be served to complement the meal, making it an unforgettable dinner. You will be given a notepad on which you can take notes regarding the prepared recipes. After dinner, you will return back to the railway station at Pisa with a full stomach and a happy heart.
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| Lakeside Candlelit Dinner in San Donato |
5 hours |
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Your tour begins with an aperitif in the famous Miracles Square (Piazza dei Miracoli). You will have free time for taking photographs and exploring the ancient monuments - the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and the Baptistery.
In front of the Square, you will also find several shops that sell local products that you may wish to purchase.
Transfer by bus (about 30 minutes) to a small village called San Donato to enjoy a candlelit dinner in a lakeside restaurant. The restaurant offers a seafood menu and a great choice of other local Tuscan dishes.
After dinner you will have time to walk around the lake to admire the scenery before your transfer back to Pisa.
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Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens of the Univercity of Pisa were moved to their present location in 1591. The gardens are open all year round.
| type: | Parks, Gardens and Zoos |
Parco di Migliarino
The regional park of Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli was established in 1979, it extends for over 20,000 hectares located along the coast from Viareggio and Livorno. At the center of an area strongly urbanized, this territory has maintained notably natural characters, where it is found one of the rare examples of non buildable coast area.
Park Management:
Consorzio del Parco naturale Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli
Address: via Aurelia Nord, 4 - PISA
More info
| type: | Parks, Zoos & Gardens |
| email: | parco@msrm.unipi.it |
| address: | San Rossore, Massaciuccoli |
| tel: | +39 (0)50 - 525500 |
Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina
The small and bright church of Santa Maria della Spina is a remarkable example of Pisan Gothic. It was built in 1230 on the banks of the river Arno. The church's current name dates back to 1333, when it preserved the reliquary of a thorn of the Saviour’s crown (spina = thorn). Today the reliquary is in the church of Santa Chiara.
During its first centuries many changes were made in order to repair the damages from the subsiding of the ground. However, the most radical intervention was carried out in 1871, when the whole building was completely dismantled and rebuilt on a level about one meter higher. On this occasion, many statues were removed and replaced by copies, while the sacristy was lost.
Entry fee: about 1
| type: | Churches |
| address: | Lungarno Gambacorti, Pisa |
| openinghours: | Winter: Tue - Sun 10am - 2pm. Summer: Tue - Fri 10am - 1.30 and 2.30 - 5pm, Sat & Sun 10am - 1.30 and 2.30 - 7/8pm |
Cattedrale di S. Maria Assunta - Il Duomo
The essential and religious heart of the "Campo dei Miracoli", the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, is often neglected by visitors in favour of the world famous leaning bell tower. Indeed the Duomo is the archetype of Pisan Romanesque with its black-and-white geometric decoration and tapered tiers of airy arcades. Begun in 1063 by Buscheto, the cathedral was the first structure of the Campo. Have a second look at the winged lion on the roof and the bronze front doors by Bonanno Pisano (1180). Inside the Duomo hides several art treasures such as Ghirlandaio paintings along the right wall, Cimabue's mosaic of Christ Pantokrator in the apse and the Cosmati pavement on the floor. The highlight stands at one corner of the crossing - Giovanni Pisano's last and greatest pulpit, sculptured in Gothic style with astonishing details.
For more detailed information (in Italian) see the Duomo Webpage
| type: | Churches |
| address: | Piazza del Duomo |
| openinghours: | winter: 10am - 12.30 & 3 - 4.30pm, summer 10am - 7.30pm |
| tel: | +39 (0)50 - 560547 or 561820 |
| Sightseeing Tour to the Middle Age Town of Lucca |
4 hours |
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After departing Pisa, arrive at Lucca and the meeting point for a guide to show you the wonderful highlights of this town.
This interesting city retains the charm of a small and ancient Italian city. Over the centuries it has managed to maintain its independence and freedom by adopting a cautious policy. Having miraculously escaped the devastation of war, today it boasts one of the most extraordinary Tuscan art heritage.
The imposing tree-lined Renaissance walls which totally enclose it, the maze of medieval streets flanked by towers and boutiques, the enchanting Romanesque churches and bright inviting squares captivate the visitor.
With your guide you will visit Piazza San Michele in Foro, to admire the church bearing the same name, one of the most typical examples of Lucca-Pisan architecture. Piazza Napoleone, a great, shady Square with a neoclassical monument to Maria Luigia of Bourbon.
Then the San Martino Cathedral, important destination for medieval pilgrims who came here to worship "Il Volto Santo" (The holy Countenance of Christ), today the symbol of the city.
Following this, Piazza Anfiteatro, built on the ruins of the ancient Roman arena, one of the most picturesque landmarks of the town.
To conclude your tour you will have valuable free time to shop in Fillungo Street or to take a walking trip on the walls, before your return to Pisa.
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