Pisa, Firenze (Florence), Lucca
So we were watching Gino D’Acampo’s Italian train journeys and thought we wouldn’t mind giving that a go and so glad we did !!
We booked the flight from Bristol to Pisa with EasyJet, cheap as chips with only carry on luggage and then we grabbed a 5 minute taxi to our first B&B which we chose because it was a short walk to the train station. Rosso di Sera was very clean, had a great breakfast and about a 10 to 15 minute walk to the Leaning Tower and surrounding area.
https://uk.hotels.com/ho449663/rosso-di-sera-relais-tuscany-pisa-italy/
We wanted to eat Pizza in Pisa and Lou found a little family run Trattoria (she loves to find different places to eat) where Papa cooked, Mama took orders and the kids served the tables of which there were only about 8 (tables not kids !!) https://latavernadipulcinellapisa.eatbu.com/?lang=en
Onward to Firenze (Florence as we know it) by train which ends up in the centre meaning only a short walk to the tourist area. We booked into B&B La Residenza del Proconsolo which had loads of character and with a perfect location just around the corner from Il Duomo. Breakfast was delivered to the bedroom which was a nice touch. https://www.booking.com/Share-gsi91F
Florence is full of tourists but still worth a visit, very cultural, arty and lots of interesting places to visit….. if you want to avoid jewellery shops then stay clear of Ponte Vecchio which is full of them but an amazing bridge all the same with lots of history…apparently one of the only bridges in Florence not to be bombed in the war…full of info me 🙂 Another amazing place to eat was Démodé on the same street as the B&B but recommend booking as it gets busy later in the evenings.
So the next train trip was to Lucca, an amazing walled medieval town with a lovely town square (ok it’s oval) surrounded by bars and restaurants although we found a local bar with half a dozen tables in the back for food…..the antipasti was amazing ! https://www.facebook.com/vinarkia
The B&B is in one of the streets which encircled the “square” and was actually very modern in it’s decor. Also breakfast was plentiful and served in the restaurant owned by the B&B hosts.
http://www.anfiteatrolucca.it/en/
If you’re feeling a bit fit then you can walk the entire circumference of the old town on top of the town wall or if you fancy it then hire a bike or a carrozzella which is a type of bike with 2 in front and 2 behind.
The train station is about a 10 minute walk from the old town and from there we took the train back to Pisa and then on to the airport train/shuttle which takes you straight to the terminal…easy peasy lemon squeezy !!
See Travel Tips for additional Info 🙂
Bristolians Abroad 