Travel tips - Italy - Pisa, Luca & Saint Gimagnano

It actually does rain in Italy, and more so in the north than the south, which is why the Tuscany area is quite luscious and green. The famous, close to the coast small town of Pisa is known naturally for its leaning tower. Pisa itself is a cute little town with colourful houses and shutters, great restaurants and cafes. A walk up the tower and visit to the monastery is 18 euro and I'm sure the views are worth it. I avoided the queues and personally prefer walking around, picking up the atmosphere, and wandering local lonlier streets for signs of daily Italian life.

 

THE MONASTERY DOME

DETAIL IN THE MONASTERY DOME ARCH

 THE TOWER CAN BE SEEN WHILE WALKING THROUGH THE CITY

 

BRIGHT COLOURED STREETS EVEN IN THE RAIN 

THE LOWEST/FIRST LAYER ON EACH COLUMN OF THE TOWER HAS FIGURES

This is one of them and quite interesting! It seems as if a devil like animal has captured two humans/apes with tails holding them captive by a thick chain while eat an apple (garden of Eden?) whilst sitting on a curved vertical marble leaf, with a water jug on either side. Imagine the detail all the way round when every column has such a figurine scene.

LUCA is another small romantic cosy town, especially in the rain. The less colourful architecture but arches and curves provide a typical European setting. Small enough to walk around without a map, you can view some lovely boutiques, while following signposts for the more broadly spaced monuments  around the small car free streets.   I can imagine in the hot Italian summer sun, the squares and terraces with their lovely wrought iron patio furniture and parasols are alive and buzzing.

 A BOOK MARKET IN A SIDE STREET OFF THE MAIN SQUARE 

 LUCA MAIN SQUARE CATHEDRAL ON THE LEFT

 TYPICAL STREET VIEWS

 

ONE OF THE SMALLER LUCA CATHEDRAL'S FACADE 

SAINT GIMAGNANO - Not many people know Saint Gimagnano, a small 1300 monastery village which basically consists of the most artistic artisan shopping street I've ever seen, cupped between multiple simple church towers and bells all in the lovely rough brick colour and design as below in this picture. Everything else matches these authentic natural colours and the shops sell absolutely everything to do with the Italian kitchen and home and anything that is grown locally. It's well worth a visit due to its unique character and the vineyard hills around it are gorgeous!

  

THE VIEW AS YOU STROLL THE TINY UP AND DOWNHILL ALLEYS 

 THE SURROUNDING VINEYARDS

 

I unfortunately arrived in the mid-day sun which is not good for light in photos but I've included a link shared by a friend with a professional set, well worth viewing.  Here are some perfect professional pictures that do justice to the place.  http://viralplanet.net/travel-tuscany-amazing-san-gimignano-pictures/If you haven't been to Italy it certainly has to be on your bucket list. There's nothing like the real deal, you can feel and experience its old culture and history and that is largely the charm for this beautiful country. Next travel blog will look at a completely different culture on another continent.