ITALY - TUSCANY: LUCCA

After travelling to Rome last year, I have come back to Italy to visit two nice areas of northern Italy: Tuscany and Lombardia. There are really lovely villages in these two provinces of Italy, as well as the beautiful city of Florence.

After visiting Pisa and its Leaning Tower in El Campo dei Miracoli, we went to Lucca by train, where we spent a lovely afternoon. Lucca isn't actually a famous town in Tuscany. However I strongly recommend visiting it.

I really liked its Pisan-Romanesque churches, its colourful buildings, its quiet streets and, especially, I was surprised by the Lucca city walls and the promenade along it.

Lucca has more than 4 km of walls surrounded by a green carpet of grass. The walls are like a huge park around the city where citizens can walk or cycling or just enjoy this charming environment.

Overview of Lucca city walls are surrounded by a green carpet of grass

San Frediano church in Lucca from Guinigi Tower. From this tower the views were nice

Colourful building in Piazza Anfiteatro. Lucca's Roman amphitheatre was long ago mined for building stone but its oval remained as a base for medieval houses

Piazza Anfiteatro in Lucca is now a quiet piazza, with ancient arches embedded in house walls

From the Lucca city walls I enjoyed this view of Pfanner gardens in front of San Frediano

I really liked this view of Pfanner gardens with its fountain from the Lucca city walls

An interesting activity you can do in Lucca is to rent a bicycle and climb onto the city walls

However I chose to stroll the Lucca city walls on foot

In Lucca, buildings have usually colourful façades, what gives Lucca a bright look

San Michele in Foro was also built in Pisan-Romanesque style. Its arcades are stacked even higher than the Duomo's

Piazza Napoleone in Lucca is large square surrounded by colourful buildings

San Martino, the Duomo of Lucca

Main façade of San Martino where you can see Pisan-Romanesque arcades over a portico of Romanesque carvings

Nice green area in front of the Lucca city walls

Walking along the Lucca city walls is one of the most pleasant activities you can do in Lucca

As you can see, we enjoyed an intense day, so we came back to Florence a bit tired but really happy. The next day we visited the Uffizi and, afterwards, we took a train to Milano.


Below you have the places we visited in Tuscany and Lombardia:

- Tuscany

• Florence
• San Gimignano
• Siena
• Pisa
• Lucca

- Lombardia

• Milano
• Lago di Como and Bellagio
• Bergamo

Finally, you can see more pictures of the days I spent in Rome last year clicking on the next links:

• Pictures of our first day in Rome
• Pictures of our second day in Rome
• Pictures of our third day in Rome
• Pictures of our fourth day in Rome
• Pictures of our fifth and sixth day in Rome

Other great cities and countries I have visited are:

• Barcelona
• Berlin
• New York and Washington
• London
• Dublin in Irleland
• Istanbul in Turkey
• Saint Petersburg
• Rome and The Vatican
• Paris
• Lisboa in Portugal
• Madrid
• Venezia
• Dubrovnik in Croatia

• The Greek Islands and Athens
• Bruges, Ghent and Brussels in Belgium

• Helsinki and Lapland in Finland

• Tallinn in Estonia

• Tortuguero, Caribe, Arenal, Monteverde and San José in Costa Rica

• Marrakech in Morocco

ITALY - TUSCANY: PISA

After travelling to Rome last year, I have come back to Italy to visit two nice areas of northern Italy: Tuscany and Lombardia. There are really lovely villages in these two provinces of Italy, as well as the beautiful city of Florence.

After visiting San Gimignano and Siena, we spent the morning of our fourth day in Pisa. As soon as we arrived we went to El Campo dei Miracoli, where I could see ,in the end, the Leaning tower. Next to the Pisa leaning tower, which is actually the bell-tower of the Duomo, I also saw the baptistry and the Camposanto.

This buildings were built in Pisan-Romanesque style and are surrounded by a fantastic green carpet of grass. I really would have liked to lie on the grass if I had had enough time, but we had to go to Lucca in the afternoon, another lovely town in Tuscany.

Overview of El Campo dei Miracoli where you can see the Duomo, the Leaning Tower and the nice green carpet of grass

The italy's largest baptistry was built in Romanesque style. However, the dome of the Pisa Baptistry is gothic

Detail of the white Romanesque façade of the Pisa Baptistry

Inside the Pisa Duomo in Campo dei Miracoli, I liked the pulpit and the painting on the apse

Painting on the apse of the Pisa Duomo in Campo dei Miracoli

In this picture of the Duomo of Pisa you can see the apse and the San Rainieri's doors

The Pisa Leaning Tower and the Duomo are the two more interesting buildings of El Campo dei Miracoli

Another view of the Pisa Leaning Tower and the Duomo

Typical picture holding the Pisa Leaning Tower, the best known building of El Campo dei Miracoli

Walking from El Campo dei Miracoli to the train station we went through the Piazza dei Cavalieri

Before visiting Pisa I have read a lot about this town and everybody said that, in Pisa, it's only worth visiting El Campo dei Miracoli. Although I didn't want to believe that at first, now I agree with this opinion.

Of course, I think that visiting El Campo dei Miracoli and the Pisa Leaning Tower is enough to spend a lovely morning in Pisa. You will find some practical information (opening hours, prices, photo gallery) clicking on www.opapisa.it.

Besides you have below all the places I visited in Tuscany and Lombardia:

- Tuscany

• Florence
• San Gimignano
• Siena
• Pisa
• Lucca

- Lombardia

• Milano
• Lago di Como and Bellagio
• Bergamo

Finally, you can see more pictures of the days I spent in Rome last year clicking on the next links:

• Pictures of our first day in Rome
• Pictures of our second day in Rome
• Pictures of our third day in Rome
• Pictures of our fourth day in Rome
• Pictures of our fifth and sixth day in Rome

Other great cities and countries I have visited are:

• Barcelona
• Berlin
• New York and Washington
• London
• Dublin in Irleland
• Istanbul in Turkey
• Saint Petersburg
• Rome and The Vatican
• Paris
• Lisboa in Portugal
• Madrid
• Venezia
• Dubrovnik in Croatia

• The Greek Islands and Athens
• Bruges, Ghent and Brussels in Belgium

• Helsinki and Lapland in Finland

• Tallinn in Estonia

• Tortuguero, Caribe, Arenal, Monteverde and San José in Costa Rica

• Marrakech in Morocco

ITALY - TUSCANY: SIENA

After travelling to Rome last year, I have come back to Italy to visit two nice areas of northern Italy: Tuscany and Lombardia. There are really lovely villages in these two provinces of Italy, as well as the beautiful city of Florence.

After spending two fantastic days in Florence, we visited Siena in the afternoon of our third day in Tuscany. We had spent the morning in San Gimignano, the best preseved medieval village in Tuscany.

Siena is a really nice city which retains its medieval charm. One of the views I liked the most was the reddish roofs from the top of La Torre del Mangia. And my best time in Siena, the hour I spent sitting in Siena's Campo, the heart of the city. 

Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia

What I liked the most of the Palazzo Pubblico in Siena was its graceful brickwork, this white gothic windows and its medieval crenellations

La Torre del Mangia is quite impressive with a height of 102 meters. There are 503 steps to the top but I assure that it's worth the effort for the stunning view of Siena

Piazza del Campo

The Piazza del Campo is often referred as Il Campo. It's one of Europe's loveliest squares. The square's nine sections honour the medieval ruling Council of Nine. Its fountain and slope are more than decorative. They're integral to the Siena's water system

As you can see, Siena's Duomo is not far from Piazza del Campo. Siena isn't actually a large town as I could see from the top of La Torre del Mangia. I really liked the homogeneous view of red roofs

Siena's Duomo

Imposing look of Siena's Duomo, a fabulous cathedral

Detail of the main façade of Siena's Duomo

Inside Siena's Duomo is the most beautiful cathedral in Tuscany, much more than Florence's Duomo

The marble floor of Siena's Duomo is one of its major attractions

Piazza del Campo

After visiting the Siena's duomo we came back to Il Campo to enjoy the lively atmosphere of this large square

Beside La Torre del Mangia was built La Cappella della Piazza by the Sienese citizens who survived the Black Death of 1348

Siena's Campo is the centre of Sienese public life and twice a year is packed with crowds for the Palio horse race. From this point I could admire quietly the nice reddish palazzos located around this square

The Palazzo Piccolomini is the only Florentine Renaissance palazzo in Siena

I spent a really nice time sitting in Siena's Campo, a truly lively and beautiful place in Siena. Il Campo is one of the places I liked the most in Tuscany

After an intense day in San Gimignano and Siena, we came back to Florence in the evening. The following day we visited the leaning Tower in Pisa and the lovely town of Lucca.

Below you have the places we visited in Tuscany and Lombardia:

- Tuscany

• Florence
• San Gimignano
• Siena
• Pisa
• Lucca

- Lombardia

• Milano
• Lago di Como and Bellagio
• Bergamo

Finally, you can see more pictures of the days I spent in Rome last year clicking on the next links:

• Pictures of our first day in Rome
• Pictures of our second day in Rome
• Pictures of our third day in Rome
• Pictures of our fourth day in Rome
• Pictures of our fifth and sixth day in Rome

Other great cities and countries I have visited are:

• Barcelona
• Berlin
• New York and Washington
• London
• Dublin in Irleland
• Istanbul in Turkey
• Saint Petersburg
• Rome and The Vatican
• Paris
• Lisboa in Portugal
• Madrid
• Venezia
• Dubrovnik in Croatia

• The Greek Islands and Athens
• Bruges, Ghent and Brussels in Belgium

• Helsinki and Lapland in Finland

• Tallinn in Estonia

• Tortuguero, Caribe, Arenal, Monteverde and San José in Costa Rica

• Marrakech in Morocco

ITALY - TUSCANY: SAN GIMIGNANO

After travelling to Rome last year, I have come back to Italy to visit two nice areas of northern Italy: Tuscany and Lombardia. There are really lovely villages in these two provinces of Italy, as well as the beautiful city of Florence.

Piazza della Cisterna, one of the most beautiful places in San Gimignano

After having spent two nice days in Florence, San Gimignano and Siena were waiting for us. So we woke up early and catched a SITA bus we led us to San Gimignano via Poggibonsi.

That morning of our third day in Tuscany I was eager to visit San Gimignano because I was read that it's the best preserved medieval village in Tuscany. Besides, it's called the Manhattan of Tuscany because of its towers.

We arrived at San Gimignano at 9:30am and the village was really quiet and I could feel its medieval atmosphere. However, after enjoying fantastic views of San Gimignano from the top of  La Torre Grossa, we went to La Piazza della Cisterna and, unfortunately, it was incredibly packed with tourists.

So I strongly recommend visiting San Gimignano from 4pm, when most tourists have gone. Then you will be able to feel the charming medieval atmosphere of this village and enjoy walking quietly along its streets and between its really interesting medieval palazzos.

The most interesting places I visited in San Gimignano were:

• Piazza del Duomo
• Palazzo Vecchio del Podestà
• Torre Grossa (fantastic views from the top)
• Palazzo del Popolo
• Piazza Pecori
• Duomo or Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta
• La Rocca fortress and city walls
• Piazza della Cisterna
• Via San Giovanni

I also recommend walk along la Via de San Matteo and visiting the church of Saint Agostino.

Next I would like to show you some of the pictures I took of these beautiful places in San Gimignano.

Views from Torre Grossa

Palazzo Vecchio del Podestá with its vaulted loggia and Piazza del Duomo in San Gimignano. Above it stands the Rognosa Tower or Clock Tower 51 meters high  

La Piazza della Cisterna in San Gimignano is ringed with medieval towers and centred on a stone well

The Clock Tower and, on the right, la Piazza della Cisterna, the heart of San Gimignano together with la Piazza del Duomo

Terracota roofs of San Gimignano on the left and a typical scenery of Tuscany on the right 

Palazzo del Popolo

Palazzo del Popolo and La Torre Grossa in San Gimignano. La Collegiata de Santa Maria appears on the right too

Piazza Pecori

 Piazza Pecori is a lovely and peaceful square in San Gimignano located next to the Duomo and El Palazzo del Popolo

Piazza del Duomo

Duomo or Collegiata de Santa Maria Assunta in San Gimignano. On the right appears El Palazzo del Popolo and between these buildings there is an arch which leads to Piazza Pecori

Typical medieval houses in San Gimignano in Piazza dell'Erbe, next to the Duomo

Rocca fortress

Skyline of San Gimignano from a medieval fortress called La Rocca

Church of San Agostino in San Gimignano from La Rocca

Piazza della Cisterna

Towers of San Gimignano from Piazza della Cisterna

Piazza della Cisterna with the stone well and la Torre Grossa in the background

Buildings around la Piazza della Cisterna viewed through the stone well

Via San Giovanni

A lovely corner we found walking along the streets of San Gimignano

The arch on the right in Via San Giovanni leads to Piazza della Cisterna in San Gimignano

Typical souvenirs shops in Via San Giovanni in San Gimignano

Through la Porta de San Giovanni you can see La Torre Grossa, from which you can enjoy the best views of San Gimignano

I really would have spent all the day in San Gimignano if I had had enough time, but we had to go to Siena in the afternoon, another great town in Tuscany.

Below you can see the places I visited in Tuscany:

- Tuscany

• Florence
• San Gimignano
• Siena
• Pisa
• Lucca

- Lombardia

• Milano
• Lago di Como and Bellagio
• Bergamo

Finally, you can see more pictures of the days I spent in Rome last year clicking on the next links:

• Pictures of our first day in Rome
• Pictures of our second day in Rome
• Pictures of our third day in Rome
• Pictures of our fourth day in Rome
• Pictures of our fifth and sixth day in Rome

Other great cities and countries I have visited are:

• Barcelona
• Berlin
• New York and Washington
• London
• Dublin in Irleland
• Istanbul in Turkey
• Saint Petersburg
• Rome and The Vatican
• Paris
• Lisboa in Portugal
• Madrid
• Venezia
• Dubrovnik in Croatia

• The Greek Islands and Athens
• Bruges, Ghent and Brussels in Belgium

• Helsinki and Lapland in Finland

• Tallinn in Estonia

• Tortuguero, Caribe, Arenal, Monteverde and San José in Costa Rica

• Marrakech in Morocco