Writer: Magdalena
Three days, three cities - an intense but very enjoyable trip. The focus of this trip was not on seeing everything but on socialising. I travelled with my 24-year-old son. When he and his little sister were younger, travelling together was a given. Now it's no longer a given in the same way, which made this trip feel luxurious.
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ShareThe weather was mixed. Sometimes sun, sometimes clouds and sometimes rain. We would have liked more sun but we made the best of it. As is often the case with city trips, there were many steps. We walked, stopped, looked around and paused often. Aperol Spritz (or Spritz as it is called in Italy) became a regular companion as we settled here and there to soak up the atmosphere.
Table of contents
Pisa
The trip started and ended in Pisa because we flew there. The airport is only five minutes away by shuttle bus which is very convenient. The first few hours we went to Piazza dei Miracoli where the Leaning Tower stands along with the Cathedral (Duomo di Pisa) and the Baptistery (Battistero). It was quite powerful to see but the feeling is a bit spoilt by the fact that there were a lot of people in one place.
Afterwards we wandered around the city and realised that Pisa becomes more pleasant when you leave the tower behind. Along the Arno River and in the narrower alleys, the pace was slower, with small shops and cafes.
Lucca
The next stop was Lucca, where we took the train from Pisa. However, the journey was not quite as planned. First there was a train strike so we left two hours later than planned and three minutes from Lucca the train was delayed for another hour because demonstrators for Gaza blocked the track. Well, you always have to expect things to happen when you are travelling. Once we arrived, we quickly forgot about the delay.
Lucca is a city where history is palpable everywhere. The preserved city walls surround the centre, towers rise above the rooftops and the alleys are full of life. The atmosphere is both cosy and genuine, which made us really enjoy being here.
A highlight was the 2.5-hour guided bike tour. Cycling is a great way to see a lot in a short time. Above all, it was our guide, a dedicated woman, who made the bike tour interesting. She told us about the history of the city, pointed out towers and churches and put what we saw into context. Understanding the history of a city affects, of course, the feeling for it.
Lucca is also known as the city where composer Giacomo Puccini was born. Although we didn't get to visit his birthplace, his musical legacy is commemorated in concerts, statues and memorials around the city.
Florence
The last destination was Florence, the birthplace of Michelangelo, where history is present almost everywhere you go.
We had booked a guided tour of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. It turned out to be a good decision, because the queue was huge. The guide took us past the queue and gave a tour inside the cathedral.
We also walked up to Piazzale Michelangelo, where the view of Florence is amazing.
In some places in Florence, there are small gaps in the walls of houses, known as wine windows, which date back to the 17th century. They were used partly during the time of the plague, when wine could be sold without physical contact between people. It was also a clever way for wine-growing families to sell directly to passers-by and avoid middlemen and extra taxes. In recent years, the tradition has been revived and today you can try knocking on the door and ordering a drink. It's touristy, but still a bit of fun to learn about the history of Florence.
Food-wise, I thought the highlight of the trip would be a pasta or pizza. It wasn't. Instead, it was a restaurant in Florence that gave us the most memorable evening. After trying to get a table at some of Florence's well-known restaurants without success, we happened to walk past Osteria Il Giardino di Barbano. They have a very cosy courtyard where we got a table without waiting. The service was personal and the piece of meat we ordered was super good, so it was the best dining experience of the trip.
Florence is quite intense during the day because of all the tourists. In the evening everything changes. Then it feels calmer and the atmosphere is amazing with the lights on the buildings, the music of street musicians that mixed with the buzz of all the outdoor cafes. It was easy to understand why so many people fall in love with Florence.
Three cities in three days - will it work?
It's fine, but you have to accept that there will be no deep dives. There were three different experiences that together created a journey that felt very special.
The most important thing for both of us was not to see everything, but to travel together. We liked the variety and that each city brought its own flavour.
Most memorable were the evenings, when the pace slowed down and we could soak up the atmosphere that we both appreciated very much. It was then that we felt how nice it is to share travelling with each other.
Travel guide
If you want to make a similar journey yourself, here are some tips.
Air and transport
- Flight: Flying to Pisa is easy. The shuttle bus from the airport to the railway station takes just 5 minutes.
- Trains: Trains between the cities are quick and easy (if there are no strikes or demonstrations): Pisa-Lucca: about 25-35 min, Lucca-Florence: about 1h 20-35 min, Florence-Pisa: about 50-70 min
Pisa - to see and do
- Piazza dei Miracoli - The square where the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and the Baptistery are gathered. Built in the 12th century, the Leaning Tower is famous for its inclination and is one of the most photographed buildings in the world.
- Cathedral (Duomo) - Romanesque architecture in white marble, with splendid details both inside and out.
- Baptistery (Battistero) - Italy's largest baptistery, famous for its acoustics.
- Santa Maria della Spina - a small Gothic church on the Arno river, with a facade resembling lace in stone.
- Arno promenades - quieter streets with views of the river.
- Borgo Stretto - the main street with shops, restaurants and cafés
- Tips: Step away from the tower area to find more charm and less crowding.
Lucca - Things to see and do
- City walls - well-preserved Renaissance wall that today is a green walking and cycling route with views of the city.
- Guinigi Tower - a medieval tower with a small garden on top.
- Piazza dell'Anfiteatro - an oval square built on a Roman amphitheatre, surrounded by restaurants.
- Via Fillungo - the city's main street with shops, restaurants and historic houses.
- Torre delle Ore - clock tower
- Basilica of San Frediano
- Tips: Why not join a guided bike tour - you'll cover a lot of ground in a short time and hear stories that bring the city to life.
Florence - Things to see and do
- Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo) - the cathedral that dominates the city centre
- Baptistery of San Giovanni - one of the oldest buildings in the city
- Giotto's clock tower - 84 metres high with a view of the whole city.
- Piazzale Michelangelo - viewpoint that offers a panoramic view of Florence.
- Ponte Vecchio - the medieval bridge full of jewellery shops, one of the city's most famous sites.
- The Uffizi - World-class art museum with Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.
- Galleria dell'Accademia - Michelangelo's original statue of David is located here.
- The Boboli gardens
- Wine windows - small gaps in the walls of houses where wine used to be sold directly to passers-by.
- Tips: Book tickets or guided tours in advance to avoid queues.
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Znogge says:
What a great trip and interesting cities! You don't have to dive in every time I think.
The best food is not always found on the "high street". When we were in Bremen, the Ratskeller where we had intended to eat was full. By chance we turned into a dead end street and at the end of it was a very simple restaurant. The chef was in white linen grilling meat and the guests were sitting at camping tables. I have never had a tastier steak or potato gratin since that time.
10 October 2025 - 18:47
Magdalena, Travelsis says:
Hi Znogge
Absolutely true! Those unplanned food stops are often the best. I love it when you stumble upon little places that turn out to be real gems - just like you did in Bremen!
/Magdalena
14 October 2025 - 16:43