Day 25 – San Gimignano to Pisa

Today it is a 20 minute bus ride to Poggibonsi, then a 60 minute train ride to Pisa , with a change at Empoli.

All works quite well – we arrive at our air bnb 60 minutes prior to check in. Enough time for a coffee at the local pizza palor. Then a bit of shopping for grocery supplies.

We meet up with our local air bnb host and are shown through a large 2 bedroom house. The “house” was in a 4 storey unit complex with 14 “units”.

The house had been decorated in retro style. We had to review the photos of the alr bnb listing to confirm with what we were seeing. While there had been no deception – we had formed a different perception from the listing. All good, the “house” was really nice and we enjoyed our stay.

Then off to explore Pisa – we have booked a climb up the Leaning Tower of Pisa – but it is not until 6.45 pm – so plenty of time to kill.

We eventually find our way to the Leaning Tower. It is an impressive structure in its own right. Made of marble – it looks fantastic. It is quite amazing that you can get up so close without being blocked by fences or gates.

Now it is time to do what every other tourist is trying to do – get the funny photo of the leaning tower.- much advice given on how to set the perfect photo….. A couple of our attempts below.

Every one comes to see the leaning tower. But it is not the only impressive structure in the presinct.

The cathedral & baptistry are also very impressive.

We get our turn to climb the leaning tower. First impression – the perfect marble floor you enter by – it is sloping – it is sloping a lot.

This sets the tone for your climb to the top. A marble staircase circles the tower all the way to the top.

You perhaps complete 5 or 6 rotations as you climb to the top. As you climb you are pushed to the outside wall and then pushed to the inside wall of the tower – depending on where you are in the circular rotation.

It is certainly a weird sensation – a bit unpleasant. We climb to the top and enjoy the views, ever conscious that we can always see the slope of the building and that gravity is wanting to pull you in one direction.