How to Make the Most Out of Your Trip to Tuscany, Italy (Pisa + Florence)

Often considered to be the City of Love (move out of the way, Paris), Florence is a place of pure grandeur, intricate architecture and enticing romance. Each street haunts you with eerie remnants of relationships gone by, and seduces you into falling in love with new places, people, and food. Whispers of Italian, well-spoken by gorgeous women in furs and older men with a dusted look about them, drift through the streets. But the locals don't express themselves through words alone - no, they communicate with body language and smooth hand gestures. Sounds, vague and vowel-less, draw you in, with the rich history of the city ever so alluring. And me? I adored it. I adored the pretty things, and the rolls of the Italian r's that you would catch from a passerby. The city, dripping in romance and antiquity, just waiting to be explored. Who did I go with, you ask? My ex-boyfriend.




So, a couple days ago I flew out from Gatwick to Pisa airport with my parents and one of my best friends ever, and we stayed in Tuscany, Italy for a few days. We saw primarily Pisa and Florence - both places highly commercialised, streaming with tourists at the busiest times of the day, and absolutely gorgeous. If you can get used to the people constantly trying to sell you selfie-sticks and umbrellas, then Tuscany is one place you have to make sure not to miss. And what were my top favourite places that I would recommend over and over again, I hear you ask? Well, I got your back.

The Tower of Pisa 

I had to put this one down first, because who goes to Pisa and doesn't get that iconic photograph of them holding it up? It costs eighteen euros - $20 - to go inside, which is a great experience (although you do tend you drift to the side of the leaning stairway, and your thighs are on fire afterwards), but if you are low on funds then I think you'd be better saving your money for something more worthwhile. 

Piazza Dei Miracoli

Situated right next to the tower, this piazza is filled with three of the most beautiful buildings you will see during your stay. The baptistery (absolutely incredible, I spent ages standing on the top floor marvelling at how such architecture is possible, especially back in 1152 when it was built) and Cathedral (breathtaking, possibly the best in the whole of Pisa - but watch out for opening times) stand elegantly on the grounds, rendering them a trio of unbelievable artistry.

Florence Cathedral

Whilst impressive from the outside (and I mean, impressive), queues to get in are ridiculous. Depending on how long you're staying in Tuscany, you may consider if it's actually worth it to spend half a day waiting just to go inside - and with an exterior like this, you could quite easily benefit from using that half a day to explore something else. It's situated on the Piazza del Duomo, which you genuinely cannot miss - it's at the heart of Florence, and yet even I didn't know I would stumble upon such pulchritude on my Tuscany travels. Truly, truly, mesmerising, with every inch of the place dusted with splendour.




Santa Croce

A Franciscan church, this minor basilica is just.. wow. I must have spent a good couple of hours there, as the place seemed to grow larger and larger the further in you explored, housing frescoes and leather workshops, and of course, a stunning marble interior. If you're low on funds, but have plenty of time to truly take in what you see, then I couldn't recommend anything better in Florence.

The Arno River

Stretching all the way over from the Ligurian Sea, you're likely to pass this river on your escapades around Tuscany - primarily, Pisa. With buildings such as the Santa Maria della Spina facing across the water, you're bound to be drawn to the picturesque and romantic opportunities that call out. On one side, bright orange buildings and little houses, and on the other, designer shops and gelaterias - the best of both worlds, really. 

Sinopie Museum

If you want to see some of the most beautiful frescoes going, I'd suggest you head down to the Sinopie, where they have managed to restore and display a bunch of old historic masterpieces. If you want to see a depiction of what life used to be like, in glorious faded technicolour, then you really must check out what this place has to offer. Not only that, but for six euros, you can visit this place, along with a couple of others on the Piazza Dei Miracoli - meaning that you can get all your history hits in one go.

The Camposanto

Again, for all you art and antiquity lovers out there, a little place called the Camposanto houses gravestones as flooring, with ceilings covered head-to-toe in frescoes, and and a wide open garden where you can go out in the sun and admire the design and structure. As you walk through the open building (meaning you get to experience the natural light and setting that they would have had back in the 12th century), marble figures of people and sacred monuments scatter the halls. 





Recommendations

I share the same opinion as many others when I say that Pisa is a full day trip at the most. Within a couple hours you can see everything the place has to offer, having taken the much-needed Leaning Tower photograph and absorbed all the history and beauty you can. As a tidbit of anecdotal counsel, don't stay in a hotel for three nights in Pisa itself, or you'll end up spending more money on travel to get out the city rather than see the many things offered within it.

Of course, if you're a big food lover, Tuscany will be perfect for you. If you're after a beautiful meal out, my favourite place to eat in Pisa was at a place called Dante. We ate there twice, and both times were confronted with some of the most alluring, appetising food you can imagine. God, my mouth's watering just thinking about it. Seriously, try it out and tell me what you think.

On the topic of food, you think the ice-cream you get back home is good? Well, have you ever tried gelato, the Italian version of quite possibly one of the best dairy substances around? And have you tried it in the heart of Italy, at a small gelateria? If not, you should book a one-way ticket straight to Tuscany, and pop into one of the many gelaterias on offer. Believe me, your tastebuds will thank me. 


And so, that sums up basically all the world wisdom I can share from my time in Tuscany, from anecdotes to tips to recommendations. I hope that some of it comes in useful if any of y'all ever plan on visiting Pisa, Florence, or anywhere in between. If so, or if you just enjoyed reading, send me love in the comment section. And as always,

Have a good month, y'all!

- Amy


67 comments:

  1. sounds like you had a good time

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  2. Great items Really interesting post...thx for sharing! xx

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  3. Nice post
    Amazing pictures

    Love Vikee
    www.slavetofashion9771.blogspot.com

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  4. Very cool! Sounds like quite a trip. As always, great pictures!

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  5. Very cool! Sounds like quite a trip. As always, great pictures!

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  6. As always, your travel post make me rage with jealousy and go crazy with longing to adventure. Italy is a place I just would freacking love to go to. But the cost is way out of my reach. When we studied art in school, Italy was obviously high on our lists of places to see.
    I actually got a post card from my cousins yesterday who are currently in Florence ( had no idea they were out of the country) It looks so beautiful. ^^
    Thank you for all your recommendations. I think I might do a whole country tour. Visit Rome, Tuscany, Verona, Venice, Milan..... I might have to win the lottery first though :L

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    1. That's exactly what I go for c': but Italy is so amazing, it'd totally be worth it - and you can easily travel budget in Italy, especially in the cities (no joke!). And that's so wacky about your family, how strange haha c:

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  7. OMG totally in love with you photos!
    xoxo
    theownerofsushi.blogspot.com

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  8. Wow!!! Thanks for sharing this! <333

    xoxo,
    SHAIRA
    www.missdream-girl.blogspot.com

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  9. Reading your posts makes me want to travel like you. Italy, Rome in particular, is one of the places I want to visit so I'm very jealous you got to go to this country.

    Hope you enjoyed your time and I look forward to your next post

    <3

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  10. Love this! Beautiful photos as ever. The Camposanto sounds AMAAAZING. And I'm currently reading Romola by George Eliot, which is set in 15thc Florence, so I have ALL THE FLORENCE FEELINGS at the moment!

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  11. Italy is somewhere I really want to visit more - I've only been to Rome and Milan so far, but want to go everywhere!
    Amy xx
    www.callmeamy.co.uk

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    1. I've only been to a couple major Italian cities, but I would love to go back and see everywhere the country has to offer c:

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  12. Oh wow! Great summary of your trip, and thanks for the tips. Would really love to visit Tuscany someday. The Florence Cathedral looks fantastic, but OMG....that wait time is insane!

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    1. Dude you totally have to! And it genuinely was c:

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  13. Oh wow! Great summary of your trip, and thanks for the tips. Would really love to visit Tuscany someday. The Florence Cathedral looks fantastic, but OMG....that wait time is insane!

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  14. I loved these two cities to pieces when I went! And I totally agree with all the points you made here.

    Hugs & Hope you have a great week!
    Hannie from Missing Wanderer

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  15. ¡¡Hola Amy!! Tengo pendiente visitar La Toscana. He visitado en otra ocasiĂłn Italia, pero no esta regiĂłn tan famosa. Tanto mi sobrina como unas amigas han hecho viajes a este lugar, y todos me han dicho que es muy bonita, asĂ­ que ya está en la lista de los futuros viajes. ¡¡Gracias por las fotos y las recomendaciones!! Besitos.

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    1. Ahhh vale es muy guay, y tu tienes que voy a la Tuscany c: Tambien!

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  16. Wow, 18 euros are now equivalent to $20? That's a decent change over the last few years, no? That is some fantastic architecture, though I'm not sure how the Florence Cathedral can compare with many of the cathedrals in France (I suppose not all of the cathedrals are utterly-awe-inspiring).

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    1. I've never really visited a French cathedral, but if they're that incredible then I just must check them out!

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  17. Oh I have always wanted to go here, it looks fabulous

    Filipa xxx
    PlayingWithApparel.com | Instagram

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  18. I've always wanted to go to Tuscany!


    http://www.thequinoxfashion.com/

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  19. Thank you a lot, dear :D

    OMG you're a lucky girl!!! So amazing places :D I want to visit right now :D

    NEW DECOR POST | Skandinavian + Ecologic Design.
    InstagramFacebook Oficial PageMiguel Gouveia / Blog Pieces Of Me :D

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    1. Even I want to go back right now ahaha c:

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  20. Omg looks amazing, i really wanna visit this place!!

    xoxo <3
    www.thesandrafaela.blogspot.com

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  21. Interesting places, beautiful photographs and you look pretty too.

    www.busyandfab.com

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  22. Wonderful photos! Seems you had great time :)
    You look amazing!
    Have a nice day
    Maggie
    Maggie Dallospedale Fashion diary - Fashion blog

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  23. This place looks amazing, you have made me want to go!!

    www.londonstylegirl.com

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  24. This is a lovely post & you look so pretty, dear! xoxo

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  25. I'm so glad you had a good time there! Your guide of places to visit is brilliant, and certainly does the job of covering the ideal places to visit for art and culture. You're right, Florence is particularly romantic :)

    Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice x

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    1. It's so lovely in Tuscany, and thank you so much! It really is c:

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  26. I envy you that trip! Amazing pictures!
    http://freshisyummy.blogspot.com/2016/11/wasted-youth.html

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  27. Stunning photos! I adore Florence, it's so unbelievably beautiful! xx

    http://www.thatnewdress.com

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  28. Amazing! I dream to visit Italy!))
    Have a nice new week!
    www.recklessdiary.ru

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  29. Thanks for these super helpful tips! I'm hoping to visit Italy either next year or the one following.

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  30. You just mentioned some of my favorite places in Italy! Baci, Valeria - Coco et La vie en rose FASHION & BEAUTY

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  31. Florence Cathedral looks stunning, I love visiting old cathedrals, I'd also love to see the tower of pisa!

    Rosy | Sparkles of Light Blog
    My Instagram | Instagram

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  32. I'm sorry, gravestones as flooring? Sign me up! And loved that Leaning Tower picture, it's amazing :) I'm glad you had a good time, I would have loved to go to either Pisa or Tuscany but maybe next time. Your photos are always so beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. It's brilliant there, you have to! And thank you for reading c:

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  33. I want to visit Italy ! It looks so beautiful !

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