Pisa and Livorno

Originally we planned on taking the three day weekend for Pisa, Florence, and Volterra. In the end we decided we didn't want to rush Florence, it was much nicer to enjoy the drive through Tuscany and spend some time in the other two towns. Plus, Florence rates a trip of it's own. Here's the view on the Autostrada:





Passing the Ferrari may have been one of the highlight of Chris's trip.
Pisa was much more beautiful than I had expected. I really thought it would be a chance to mark something off the travelers to-do list then move on. Instead we thoroughly enjoyed the Duomo, Tower, and Baptistry. The art and architecture were breathtaking and the Saints mummy was a perk for the kids. We missed the Camposanto, but will be sure to make it next time.

Sorry, but you just have to have these pic's somewhere in your album.



The exterior of the Duomo.





More of the tower.



And the entire Campo dei Miracoli.



We also hoofed it down to the University of Pisa, where Galileo taught. That may have been one of the highlights of my trip. It is just so cool to stand in the spot where so little has changed, and imagine all that has gone on there.

We're pretty sure this is a former Medici palace, next to the University. It was too cold to try and find out for sure. It wasn't too cold to sample some of Italy's best gelato, but we all decided that Pisa warrants a summer trip.



We stayed in a cabin at Camp Darby. It was pretty neat with an interior completely of wood. It was a little on the brisk side, but to make up for it there was a shower complete with about a 12 nozzle back massage area.



That night we drove into Livorno and had one of the best meals at a little place on the beach. The kids were great as usual even when confronted with a dinner of HUGE ( I mean sea monster size) shrimp in a scampi dish for dinner. They may have spelled it wrong, but we still had to get a picture of the place down the street from our restaurant.



Livorno looked like a great little town, you can even see the lights of Corsica from the beach. Ah, I can't wait for summer!