Looking for a first class Italian vacation without the first class price? When vacationers think of Italy, the first cities that come to mind are nearly always, Milan, Rome, Florence, and Venice, or the more general destinations of Tuscany, Cinque Terra, or the Amalfi Coast. And why not, these cities and destinations represent some of the best that Italy has to offer. All beautiful places, loaded with history, natural beauty, fantastic Italian cuisine and lively night life. All come with a hefty price tag as well. In fact, all of the aforementioned cities and destinations fall into everyones ten most expensive destinations in Italy lists. But all are also within reach of the average joe on a very modest budget and without the sacrifices you might expect. Depending on which parts of greater Italy you’d like to visit, there are many cities that can be used as affordable and convenient hubs from which to experience all that Italy has to offer while avoiding the big price tag. Here are a few ideas for those who’d like to travel Italy but are put off by the seemingly out of reach prices:
Pisa- Recommended Hub for visiting Tuscany on a budget.
The Rodney Dangerfield of Italy, Pisa is a city that continues to get no respect. Hoards of travelers exit the Pisa train station, walk briskly to the famous ‘Leaning Tower’, snap a few pics and a few selfies before returning to the train station, moving on to Florence, Lucca, Siena, or beyond, never realizing Pisa itself merits a few days visit. And considering the lodging/dining differential between Pisa and either Florence, Lucca or Siena, Pisa makes a strong case as a much smarter way to visit these famous Tuscan towns. Throw in its close proximity to the coast, and Pisa Centrale’s many trains per day to Florence, Lucca, Siena, and other Tuscan destinations, and it becomes hard to ignore as a hub city for your visit to Tuscany, particularly for those on a budget. Consider the following travel times from Pisa to major Tuscan destinations:
Pisa Centrale to Florence 1 Hr €8-10.
Pisa Centrale to Lucca 30 min €3-5.
Pisa Centrale to San Miniato 1 Hr €4-8.
Pisa Centrale to Marina Di Pisa (Bus) 15 min €1-2.
Pisa Centrale to Montecatini Terme 1 Hr €4-6 (change in Lucca).
It’s easy to see why Pisa as a travel hub would make day trips convenient and affordable. But before heading out to the surrounding cities and towns, it’ll take you a few days to give Pisa the once over. On arrival, acclimate yourself to town by wandering down Corso Italia, across the Arno River to visit the Leaning Tower. Take the time to read about its history and be sure to get your mandatory selfies in. Make sure to enter the Piazza dei Miracoli so you can visit the Pisa Baptistery, and Camposanto (cemetery) and its famous courtyard. On the way back hit the Piazza dei Cavalieri, once the political heart of Pisa.
For a late afternoon treat, visit Orzo Bruno for a beer or two. An excellent bar that offers local brews in a lively and inviting atmosphere, it’s most popular around 7:00 PM when they offer free treats on platters laid out on the bar. Heavily frequented by locals, it has a very authentic home town feel and the staff go out of their way to make the “outta towners” feel welcome as well.
Start Day two by having a cup of coffee and a pastry at Caffe’ dei Cavalieri on Via Corsica located near Piazza dei Cavalieri (Knights Square) and watch the people go by as they start their day. It’s a great spot for people watching and the caffeinated drink selection is excellent as are the pastries. Stop by later in the day as well and feast on Cannolis and a glass of wine. You could even get a slice of pizza if you’d like. Mid morning wander down to Piazza della Vettovaglie and wander around the Mercato delle Vettovaglie. This is the main food market in Pisa and is open daily (except Sunday) at 7:30 AM until late afternoon. The best hour to visit is 10:00 AM when its most crowded with locals doing their daily queuing for fruit and vegetables.
When you’ve had your fill of the market scene, take in lunch at Vineria di Piazza also located in Piazza della Vettovaglie adjacent to the Market. Great local dishes and a good selection of wines. As with most Italian restaurants/caffes, the beer selection is adequate but minimal. Atmosphere is exceptional as its detached from the more touristy sections of Pisa. If the weather is nice, sit outside for the best experience.
In the afternoon, cruise by the Church of Santa Caterina d’ Alessandra. The Pisa University, whose famous graduates include Galileo Galilei, the father of modern science as well as Nobel Prize winners Enrico Fermi and Carlo Rubbia has their Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science buildings in this area and the renowned Scuola Superiore San’ Anna is also located nearby. Close to the University on Via San Lorenzo 52 is a locals favorite, Moonlight Pizza. A very good value with great pizza and pasta. The Staff is very accommodating and the atmosphere very cozy and welcoming. If the weather is good, sit outside in the garden for a great locals experience. If going for dinner it’s best to book if you have a party of 4 or more as it is not a large place and can get quite crowded especially at peak hours. Pizzeria Moonlight is a great spot for lunch as well.
Make sure you save time to walk down the Arno at least once in the late afternoon or early evening. Walk past the Church of Santa Maria de Spina which while closed to the public, represents a great picture opportunity especially at sunset. On the way back, stop at La Staffetta for a beer on the sidewalk. La Staffetta is a cafe/Tap Room and is popular with tourists and locals alike. Though you should not expect a U.S. style Tap Room, La Staffetta does represent a nice example of the up and coming Italian craft brewery scene. Located on Lungarno Antonio Pacinotti 24 La Staffetta offers great views of the Arno and the Church of Santa Maria de Spina.
If you are into the craft brew scene (and who wouldn’t be), There are several “must see’s” in Pisa. Along with the aforementioned Orzo Bruno and La Staffetta, those in need of a cold craft brew should visit La Torre del Luppolo at Via Renato Fucini 13. Along with being THE Beer shop in Pisa, La Torre del Luppolo is a fantastic place to chat up the help about the Pisa and Italian beer scene in general. Great knowledge of the Pisa beer scene but also a great source for information on Micro Breweries to visit in larger Cities like Florence, Rome and Naples. The selection at La Torre del Luppolo is very solid with craft brews from all over Europe and England. The breadth of styles is also quite good with a choice of American, West coast and New England style IPA’s. Borderline Club, at Via Vernaccini 7 is also a decent place to have a beer if you want to enjoy some live music though you may have to pay a 10 euros “cover” which gives you a membership card which reportedly lasts for a year. It’s a good music venue that looks much like a British style Pub and serves Pub grub as well.
Now that you’ve seen a lot of Pisa, it’s time to explore the surrounding area. Depending on the amount of time you have allotted, the priorities should be Florence, Lucca, San Miniato, and Marina di Pisa. Florence warrants two or more days so if you already have plans to visit then hit Lucca, San Miniato, and Marina di Pisa as all can be done easily from Pisa in a day.
Coming soon: What to see on your day trips to Lucca, San Miniato, and Marina di Pisa.
