July 3, Florence, Pisa, and Cinque Terre. July 3

For Burt's last day in Italy we got an early start and prepared for a full day. First we had breakfast in the apartment and then we headed over to the station to catch a train to Pisa and begin our adventures for the day. 

An hour later we arrived in Pisa and began walking through the town to make our way to the legendary leaning tower. 

 

This ornate structure was just on the side of the road near the bridge.  Such pretty detail. There is a modern art scuplture out front. One of many that we saw as we went through the town. Pisa, like the other towns we have visited, is full of sculptures and old detailed bulidings. However, we saw the more modern art sculpters here than anywhere else. It was an interesting juxtaposition. 

 

Beautiful view as we crossed the bridge. 

 

We happened upon a nearly desserted square with this building af one end. Beautiful architectural detail for a school. 

The road signs here make me giggle. "Mustache ahead"

 

This tiny little truck is so adorable. I think every little miniature thing I see is so cute! Burt rolls his eyes at me but humors me and snaps a photo. 

 

 Consulting the map we round the corner saying "It should be just up ahead", and there it is...

 

 

And here are all the people. We barely saw anyone on our walk over here, and now we see why. They are all at the tower. 

 

 

 

 

We found a pizzaria where we had lunch with a view of the tower. From this angle it doesn't even appear to be leaning because we are directly in front of it. 

 

A Pisa pizza......

Now back on the train to go to La Spezia. 

 

We arrived in La Spezia and boarded the Cinque Terre express, a train that travels between the 5 hillside villiages and back. 

 

We came out of a tunnlel and there was the sea. So beautiful...

First stop, Montessoro

 

 

 

This little town is very much a tiny resort town. It reminded us of Catalina Island. But much hotter. Really hot. Really, realy hot. I am jealous of the people at the beach. 

Back on the train to Vernazza, villiage number two. 

 

 

We climbed up a gazillion tiny steps to the ruins of a fortess high above the town where we had the most amazing panoramic view. Then up a narrow spiraling staircase to the top of a little tower. 

 

 

 

 

Back on the train, we headed toward the next town. We got off at the next stop and realized that Corniglia was quite a walk from the train stop. Uphill. In the heat. 

We decided that we were done. We were tired and hot. Very very hot. So much for it being a lot cooler by the coast.  

So we got back on the train. Back to La Spezia, and then back to Pisa, and then back to Florence. Then a cool shower 😊 

Ready for dinner, we went for an early evening stroll to find something with a view. 

 With the help of Google we found a lovely little restaurant overlooking the river where we had an apertivo. 

 

 

 

The view from our table. 

 

After dinner we strolled over the Ponte Vecchio bridge and through the streets downtown which were bustling with people. Now that the heat of the day is mellowing down the nightlife is just getging started.

 

 

A gellato is the perfect thing for an after-dinner treat as we walk along.

 

 

Wow! That is enormous. (It cost as much as my dinner)

 

No way can I finish this whole thing. Well, maybe....

 

 

 

 

I like Florence best at night. With the lights and the beautiful architecture, bridges, towers and sculptures around nearly every corner it seems magical. Also, it is not quite as hot.