Another day of exploring more of Italy’s finest. Today, we’re in Pisa, snapping Instagram-worthy photos.
With two days in Livorno, we made sure to maximize our time. We skipped climbing the Leaning Tower and visiting the nearby buildings to catch the train to Florence.
We had tickets to see Michelangelo’s Statue of David and dinner reservations at II Grande Nuti.
After days filled with historic monuments and artistic marvels, we wanted this one to be more relaxed, allowing us to wander through shopping stalls, boutiques, and to see what other hidden treasures we happened upon.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
We arrived at the Leaning Tower of Pisa first thing in the morning. We soaked in its famous tilt before the crowds rolled in. With just a few visitors around, we snapped all the playful tourist photos. We pushed, pulled, and pretended to hold it up. Then, we browsed a few stalls tucked into a quiet nook nearby.
Afterward, we walked leisurely toward the train station. We admired shop windows and took in serene river views. In hindsight, these views echoed the charm of Florence’s Ponte Vecchio—minus the buildings perched above the water. A peaceful interlude after the architectural buzz.
Though we’d been warned about pickpockets, things escalated later that day and the police were reportedly called in. Pisa is picturesque, but staying alert is essential. From there, we caught the train to Florence with many photos and happy hearts.
An unexpected twist hit us. A 24-hour train strike started at 9:00 p.m. Our prepaid tickets to the cruise ship became expensive bookmarks. After some scrambling and an additional $270 spent on alternative transport, we finally made it back onboard. That wine waiting for us? Absolutely earned.
Ponte Vecchio
By the time we reached Ponte Vecchio, we were too tired to walk over to Ponte Santa Trinita for the full view—the iconic arches, glinting jewelry shops, and the Vasari Corridor stretching overhead. It might have been a missed photo opportunity, but my feet were aching and my family vetoed the extra walk. Sometimes, rest wins over the perfect angle.
The Statue of David
Visiting Michelangelo’s David felt like meeting a celebrity—minus the paparazzi, plus a thousand tourists wielding selfie sticks. Thankfully, we came prepared with skip-the-line tickets, which proved to be a sanity-saving decision as the entry queue wound around the museum.
We opted out of the guided tour (our attention spans politely declined) and wandered at our own pace, camera in hand, dodging elbows and the occasional interpretive gesturer. After snapping our “we were here” shots and taking in the grandeur, we collapsed gratefully onto one of the few benches scattered throughout the museum—an oasis in a sea of marble and murmurs.
Air conditioning, as we quickly learned, isn’t the default in Italy—not just in museums, but throughout most public spaces. When a cool breeze does greet you indoors, it’s a rare treat worth savoring.
Cantinetta Cavour: Cool(ish) and Cozy
Visiting Michelangelo’s David felt like a celebrity encounter, minus the paparazzi, plus a swarm of selfie sticks. Our skip-the-line tickets were a stroke of genius, letting us glide past the winding queue and into the museum with ease. We passed on the guided tour (our attention spans politely declined) and explored at our own pace, cameras in hand, sidestepping elbows and interpretive gesturers. After securing our “we were here” photos, we collapsed onto one of the few benches—an oasis in a sea of marble and murmurs.
As we quickly discovered, air conditioning in Italy is a rare delight. It’s not just in museums but also in public spaces in general. That fleeting cool breeze inside the gallery was precious, but short-lived. We stepped out into the heat and wandered until we spotted Cantinetta Cavour, a cozy restaurant with the magical phrase “Air Conditioning” posted on its door. Inside wasn’t exactly Arctic, but it was a welcome reprieve. We ordered wine, cocktails, and water (hydration multitasking at its finest) and sighed our way back to comfort.
We hadn’t planned on eating. Il Grande Nuti was waiting. However, our gracious waiter surprised us with two boards of bruschetta, “on the house.” Tomatoes marinated in olive oil with just a whisper of garlic—simple, fresh, and impossible not to love. With David in the rearview and bruschetta on the table, it was the perfect blend of beauty, relief, and quiet generosity.
Dinner at II Grande Nuti
While I reveled in the spice of my Pici alla carrettiera, hand-rolled Tuscan noodles tossed with garlic, tomato sauce, and just enough chili to make you respect its quiet power, Brian enjoyed his Carbonara al tartufo di stagione, served properly on a plate and layered with Tuscan bacon, eggs, cracked pepper, aged cheese, and delicate ribbons of seasonal truffle. The boys, on the other hand, were each delivered something hot and hearty in rustic pans. I wish I could tell you exactly what they ordered, but all I know is the pans were empty by the end of the meal—clean enough to reflect the overhead lights.
I did steal a forkful from Brian, and my palate broke into applause. Between the rainbow-hued pasta artistry in the window, the wine that kept flowing, and the cheerful ambush of limoncello on the way out, Il Grande Nuti staged a meal that blurred the line between dinner and delight.
Art, Air, and Unexpected Finds
We wandered onward after leaving Cantinetta Cavour, following Florence’s golden-hour light as it spilled across cobbled alleys and tucked-away storefronts. Inside The Red Light Rock Shop, Alex scored band tees and Zach triumphantly unearthed a rare Pink Floyd album he’d searched for across the States—a win-win by all measures. Just beyond, Il Duomo rose into view, its breathtaking presence impossible to ignore. Alex lit up. “I’ve jumped off that in Assassin’s Creed!” he grinned, sealing Day One with a blend of pop culture and history. Tomorrow, we swap marble for Merlot as we head into the Tuscan hills to visit a local winery and uncork the next chapter of our adventure.
Exploring Life's Transitions with Words, Wanderlust, and Wisdom 