Cultural Hotspots: Florence and Pisa in 48 hours

48 hours in one city is never enough to get into all its nooks and crannies. So how well did I manage squeezing Florence and Pisa into just 48 hours?

These two places are only one and a half hours apart by train so instead of just doing one or the other, visit both and you’ll be surprised by how much you can see in just 48 hours.

Before heading to the main attractions, I thought I’d begin with a little bit of street art by artist Keith Haring. This was the last public wall mural before his premature death. Named ‘Tuttomondo’ it was painted in 1989 on the exterior wall of the Church of Sant’Antonio.

As serendipity would have it, the mural was born out of a chance meeting between a young student from Pisa and Keith Haring. Shortly after this meeting Haring had the idea to paint the mural and asked several students from Pisa to help paint in the figures. I am by no means qualified to give you an art historian’s commentary on this work; I just love this image because of the vibrant colours and close composition of the figures, which to me, represent unity and community.

The Learning Tower of Pisa

Now let’s move on to the city’s most famous landmark: The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Have you ever been to a world-famous landmark and felt rather underwhelmed? It’s happened to me on several occasions (pssssst, Statue of Liberty and Sydney Opera House), but I certainly wasn’t underwhelmed when I clapped eyes on this beauty. The combination of size, detail, bright white exterior, and its notable tilt makes this building something you won’t forget easily.

I really recommend going inside (approx. 20 Euros) because not only is it one of the world’s most iconic buildings, it also gives you the best view of Pisa once you’ve climbed to the top. You’ll find a huge bell up there too which used to be in operation. The Leaning Tower is just one of several architectural masterpieces within an enclosed area called Piazza del Duomo and together they were inducted into the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987. I didn’t have time to go inside each one, but just to see them from the outside, and lay down on the grass was the perfect way to enjoy the good weather surrounded by some of Italy’s most famous buildings.

For a spot of relaxation

The best place to relax in Pisa is surely the Garden of Scotto. This public garden used to be the fortress of Pisa so it combines the best of the city’s history and charm. I could easily spend hours here lapping up the sun and the small quirks of this romantic backdrop which includes a turret, trench, palm trees, flowers and bridges.

A quick bite to eat: Try a chickpea pizza (yes, really!) – it’s a traditional Tuscan street snack called cecina. You can grab it at a few places but we went to Pizzeria Il Montino located at 1 Via Monte.

Where to stay in Pisa: The Hotel Pisa Tower receives a big thumbs up for its location and value for money, and its elegant decor makes it the perfect place for a romantic trip away.

Florence

A day to discover Florence is impossible, but there are some crucial places not to miss. I had two things on my list: the Uffizi and Florence cathedral, but I didn’t manage to do either of them because queues for both were horrendous!

Though even if I had time to queue I probably wouldn’t have because I hate queuing, especially in heat and when you know you can do a thousand and one other things. (I know, I know, patience is a virtue. I’m working on it).




Even though I didn’t go inside the Florence cathedral I have a feeling the best views come from looking at the exterior along with Giotto’s Campanile (the bell tower) and the Baptistery. These three buildings are the  most revered architectural pieces of the main square, Piazza del Duomo, which is one of the most visited squares in the world. When you first see it, it’s difficult to hide an expression of disbelief – the understanding that mankind created such magnificence on an extraordinarily large scale. It’s no surprise that Florence’s collection of architecture is considered the height of Renaissance, and like the Duomo in Pisa, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.

The Food Market

You’re probably getting hungry now, and I know the perfect place for you to satisfy your penchant for bruschetta and prosciutto. Head over to Mercato Centrale for any antipasto you can think of, and why not wash it down with a glass of Prosecco?!

For a spot of relaxation

When I think of all the gardens I’ve been to, Boboli Gardens is top of the list. With panoramic views of Florence, rose gardens, pavilions, and 16^th century statues, this garden epitomises the image of a romantic garden dating back from the High Renaissance period. Highlights include Neptune’s Fountain, the “Little Bacchus” Fountain, and a sculpture of a giant head by contemporary Polish sculpture Igor Mitoraj.

Museums

If you find that you don’t have time to visit the Uffizi, fear not! The Palazzo Vecchio, a palace with lavish interior makes a decent alternative.

The interior has had some rather dramatic yet comical losses over the centuries that include lost work by Michelangelo and Di Vinci (in the process of experimenting with different mediums Di Vinci’s painting melted!). The Palazzo Vecchio is also perfect if you’re looking for things to do in the evening – I saw Damian Hirst’s exhibition For the Love of God at around 9pm. The whole experience was a little surreal because I was ushered into a dark black room, it was tiny – maybe 5 x 5 metres and the only thing that gave light was the diamond encrusted skull which shone inside a glass box. I stared at it, and then stared at the guards, looked down at their guns, stared back at the skull, and left. That was the exhibition – just one diamond encrusted skull and three armed guards. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I definitely expected to see more of Hirst’s work minus the guns. But despite feeling a little robbed, the rest of the gallery completely made up for it!

Where should you stay in Florence?

Located near the train station and all the main attractions, Grand Hotel Adriatico, has the ideal place to stay if you’re travelling by train but also want looking for lots of comfort and a touch of luxury.

How do you get from Pisa to Florence?

We went to Pisa train station to buy tickets (approx 8 Euros for one way ticket) and arrived in Santa Maria Novella station in Florence within an hour. Trains run frequently so didn’t prebook anything.

So what’s the best thing you can do when you only have a day or two in one city?

When you’re fighting against time then research, research and more research is the best thing you can do. It seems really obvious to say research is half of the battle when lost for time, but sometimes it’s easier said than done, especially if you have a natural aversion to planning, and a natural inclination to whim. Chances are you’ll have fun in Pisa and Florence with only a small amount of research to go by, but in a city like Florence where there is so much to see, you’ll feel disappointed if you come home and realise all the things you missed. I’ve had that feeling after nearly every trip I’ve taken before starting this travel blog during the summer (that’s one of the best things about having this blog – it makes me research and push to find the well-known, as well as the off-beat charms of a city).

The boring part of research

Research just doesn’t involve a list of things you want to see and do, it involves looking at a map and finding the location of everywhere, and the most efficient routes to take so you don’t have to go back on yourself. I’m not suggesting that you need to be so regimented with all your trips, but it’s advisable when time is tick-tocking away!

Have you been to Pisa or Florence, or both? What did I miss?