Pisa holidays

The tower is, of course, the primary attraction. The construction lasted almost a decade, dating back to 1173 AD, but was halted because the top three sections began to tilt. Strangely, the tower continues to lean to this day, moving approximately 1mm each year. As you might expect the area becomes very busy, especially during the peak tourist season, but the spectacle is worth the effort. There are organised walking tours available that point out interesting historical facts to the tourists. It wouldn’t be Italy without some world-class cultural interests. There are sculptures and religious artwork to be found in the Museo Nazionale di San Matteo as well as the smaller museum Pallazo Reale.

The tower isn’t the only architectural marvel to see. It sits among Pisa’s spectacular Campo dei Miracoli, or Field of Miracles, and is complemented by the Duomo Cathedral, Baptistry and Camposanto, meaning ‘holy field’. A large student population, aided by the large numbers of tourists visiting each year, means Pisa has a vibrant alternative scene. There are creative cafes and simple pizzerias across the city, giving it a contemporary edge laced with tradition. For the energetic visitor there is plenty to do. There are resorts on the coast that provide water sports and there are treks available in the surrounding countryside. A particular highlight is the cycle ride from Pisa to Florence that takes in the astounding Tuscan countryside.