tonyandjaneontour: Lucca to Pisa

On the road again just after 8 this morning. Raining again. Took about an hour to get to Pisa in fairly slow moving traffic. Managed to park about a 5 minute walk from the Leaning Tower! Hundreds of tourists there already – mainly Japanese and Americans all disgorged from tour buses. Loads of chaps selling umbrellas and doing a roaring trade. This place manages to still be beautiful despite the people. There used to be a Tourist Info place there but this no longer exists and the only one is now at the Railway Station – a pretty long walk if memory served. So bought a map and amazingly managed to locate the hotel we stayed in last time we were here – Hotel Cecile, about a 3 minute walk from the Leaning Tower – 70€ per night and 10€ for parking. Have done the washing as well so we are sorted for the next 2 days.

Had a walk over the bridge to the other side of the Arno and round and about to re-familiarise ourselves. Last time we were here there was a big festival when the banks of the Arno are lined with candles and lights; with the biggest firework display we have ever seen. From the info we think we will take place next week some time.

Ate out at Trattoria Il Borgo, Tony had Penne Arrabbiata which, although rather hot, was the best he had ever tasted. Jane had minestrone, roast pork and chips which, despite sounding pretty boring, was very nice and more importantly, got eaten and not carried home in a paper hanky.