Pisa & Firenze

About the destination: The city of Pisa once competed with Genoa and Venice as a naval power, mirrored Padua and Perugia as a university city, and developed a unique style of Romanesque architecture. Today, the city is famous for an architectural project that went horribly wrong and depends on the influx of tourists who visit the city daily. The most significant monuments are located in the Piazza del Duomo. The baptistery, cathedral, Leaning Tower, and Camposanto stand out like carved ivory, emerging from a wide expanse of bright green grass. The cathedral houses Giovanni Pisano's masterful pulpit, with its intensely dramatic Gothic reliefs. You can make your unsteady way to the top of the Torre Pendente, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, from which local resident Galileo Galilei dropped various objects in his quest to understand gravity. Education has driven the local economy since the 1400s, and students from all over Italy still compete for spots in its prestigious university and research schools and help maintain a lively and affordable cafe and bar scene. This metropolis of a hundred thousand residents is much more than a tower; it's a city rich in art and history.

About the destination: Florence remains as vibrant and beautiful today as it was when its wool and silk traders and bankers revolutionized the economy of 13th century Tuscany, and the art of Dante and Michelangelo left the world in awe. Florence was the heart of the Italian Renaissance. The results of the city's revival can still be seen in its seemingly endless array of museums, churches, and palaces. With its historic center recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Duomo, the elegant and stunning cathedral, towers over the city and serves as a clear landmark during your explorations. The River Arno, which runs through the oldest part of the city, is topped with the Ponte Vecchio bridge, which is lined with shops and supported by stilts. Dating back to the 14th century, it is the only bridge that withstood attacks during WWII. Standing by the river at night, when the city is lit up with countless twinkling lights, is an unforgettable experience. But more than just stones and paint remain of Florence's unparalleled heritage; the city's unyielding spirit has also endured through the centuries, ensuring that Florentine life today is vibrant and sophisticated.