Day 1. A weekend in Pisa

On By Little Miss TravellerIn Europe, Italy, Pisa 2020

If I had a spring in my step a few weeks ago as I boarded my first long distance train for over four months, I was even more excited at the prospect of taking to the skies again.  As soon as travel restrictions had been lifted, we searched for flights and decided that a weekend in Tuscany would be just right.  At the time of booking, prices were extremely low for August at just £38 per person each way which even included a £10 priority boarding and bag supplement.

Leeds Bradford Airport Entrance
Temporary entrance to Leeds Bradford Airport

Our preferred airport is Manchester but as flights from Leeds-Bradford (LBA) were at better times of day, we opted to depart from there instead and even better, managed to persuade my husband to take us.  Entrance to the airport was through a large marquee where a member of staff was handing out masks to any passengers without them.

On board Ryanair
On board our Ryanair flight to Pisa

As we didn’t have any checked-in luggage we headed straight to security which appeared just the same as usual except for some Perspex screens to separate passengers loading up their tubs and the addition of numerous sanitising stations.  Passengers seemed thin on the ground as a few days earlier the Government had advised against travel to Spain, resulting in many cancellations and unhappy people.  Prices for our flight had more than quadrupled in the days before departure as people attempted to switch holiday destinations from Spain to Italy.  Airside facilities at LBA are few and far between at the best of times and due the pandemic less than half were actually operating so we just bought some sandwiches from Boots to have on the plane.

Departing Leeds Bradford Airport
Leaving Yorkshire behind

Soon the time came around for us to have our passports checked prior to boarding the aircraft and after briefly removing our face masks to confirm our identity we were eagerly climbing the steps onto our Ryanair flight.  No social distancing measures had been introduced with passengers boarding as normal from both the front and rear doors depending on seat number.  The flight appeared to be almost full but strangely there were two spare seats next to mine so after the aircraft doors were closed I moved along from my allocated aisle seat into the window for a better view.

Flying over the clouds
Enjoying flying above the clouds

I had such an intense feeling of joy as the aircraft gathered speed along the runway and drifted up through the clouds as I’d often wondered how long it would be until I could take to the air once again.  My last flight, imprinted in my memory, was returning to Manchester from Cologne on 15th March only a week or so before the airline industry closed down and since then I’d long wished for this day to happen.

Approaching Pisa airport
Approaching Pisa airport

Arriving into Galileo Galilei Airport on time we disembarked the aircraft in the usual manner and passed through a thermal screening sensor just before immigration to check our temperatures and then, hip, hip hooray we were free to enjoy ‘la dolce vita’ for the next four days.

Disembarking Ryanair flight
Disembarking from our aircraft

As we hadn’t got around to eating our sandwiches during the fight we sat under the shade of some large trees in front of the terminal building and tucked into them there.  On checking Google maps, we were surprised that we could easily walk into the centre of Pisa in no more than 20 minutes, so instead of using public transport we picked up our bags and made our way on foot to the NH Hotel Pisa our home for the next three nights.

NH Hotels Pisa
NH Hotels Pisa

Check-in was quick and efficient and with hand sanitisers positioned in front of the lift doors we were assured of staying safe whilst at the same time enjoying a pleasant city break.  Our room was just as nice as expected, with the removal of the usual bright cushions and bed runner the only notable differences from pre-Covid times.

Bedroom, NH Hotels Pisa
Our room at the NH Hotel

After making ourselves cups of refreshing green tea we set off for an early evening stroll through the city. The hotel faces the attractive Pisa Centrale Station gardens and although I wouldn’t normally choose to stay in such close proximity to a railway station, this district is both pleasant and safe.

NH Hotels Pisa
NH Hotel Pisa

Our walk took us along Pisa’s attractive main shopping street Via Corso Italia which connects the station to the older part of town.  Along this elegant pedestrianised thoroughfare are a wide range of shops and cafes with their tables spilling out into the centre of the road.

Via Corso Italia Pisa
Via Corso Italia, Pisa

Piazza XX Settembre sits on the southern side of the River Arno and in the soft evening light, the stunning architecture along the riverbank looked even more gorgeous.  We crossed the Ponte Di Mezzo which is the city’s most beautiful bridge at 89m in length and faced in white Verona stone.  Not only is the bridge itself lovely, the views from it are equally sublime.

Ponte di Mezzo Pisa
Ponte di Mezzo, Pisa

Over on the north bank we arrived at Piazza Garibaldi, a pleasant square dominated by a statue of the famous Italian general, Giuseppe Garibaldi.  Just off the square is an ornate colonnade known as Borgo Stretto under which Pisa’s most expensive shops are to be found in this, the oldest of part of Pisa.

Borgo Stretto Pisa
Borgo Stretto, Pisa

A short distance further on and we had arrived at the elegant Piazza dei Cavalieri (Knights Square) which is the city’s second most important square after the Piazza dei Duomo, home of the famous Leaning Tower which we planned to visit later in our stay.

Church of St.Stephen Pisa
San Stefano dei Cavalieri Church

This elegant square was the political centre of medieval Pisa and its palace used to be the headquarters of the Order of Knights of St. Stephen in the 16th century.  The façade of the building is really beautiful with its ornate plasterwork.

Palace of St. Stephen, Pisa
The Palace of San Stefano, Pisa

This brought an end to our self guided evening sightseeing tour and as we were starting to feel hungry we settled down on the terrace of Il Capodaglio, a typical small Tuscan restaurant on the edge of one of the many squares.

Il Capodaglio, Pisa
Il Capodaglio, Pisa

Even though we were seated outside, the waiter recorded our temperatures using a hand held gun and then offered us hand sanitiser before handing us the menus but it’s best to be safe and sure.  Our pizza and pasta dishes tasted delicious and it was so pleasant to be sitting outdoors without even a cardigan so late in the evening.  The end of such a memorable day of travelling after a lengthy period of lockdown.

Il Capodaglio, Pisa
Enjoying our evening meal in Pisa

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86 thoughts on “Day 1. A weekend in Pisa”

  1. Love Pisa. So many of your pictures reflect where we went, what we saw and what we ate. The food was fabulous and there were lots of choices for al fresco dining. Thanks for sharing Marion. Allan

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  3. jasonlikestotravel

    Lucked out with the empty seats next to you! It’s nice reminiscing from your photos, definitely a few views I can remember from my short time in Pisa. I wasn’t a huge fan of the city but maybe you’ll have won me over by the end of the weekend posts and I’ll contemplate giving it a second chance 🙂

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  7. Ah, you’ve been on an airplane!! 🤩 I think I will wait till next year to do that, the ever-changing quarantine instructions are just too much at the moment to plan anything. Pisa looks fantastic! xx

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    1. Thanks Sue, it was a wonderful short break and we felt just as safe in Italy as we do at home. I didn’t realise that you were sort of trapped in ACT and unable to leave the state. Let’s hope the situation improves soon and you are able to move around more freely. Marion

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    1. Thanks for your kind words Dee. Hopefully it won’t be too many more months before you can start globetrotting again. When we can travel further, I’m certain that Singapore will be at the top of my list of places to return to! Marion

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    1. Ryanair operate just as normal. All seats used, insist on wearing masks unless eating or drinking. Just had to pass through temperature sensor in Pisa airport on arrival. No travel restrictions to Italy or quarantine in return but is necessary to Spain, France etc but situation changes often. Hope this helps.

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  15. Lucky you to be able to travel again. I was in Pisa in 2016 ( I think) . We had spent 3 days in Lucca. From there it was easy to hop on a bus to visit Pisa for a few hours. An interesting city. I recognize some places from your photos. In 3 days from now we were supposed to fly to Porto and walk on the Camino de Santiago and then see more of Southern Spain and Portugal. This is cancelled but I can’t wait to go on trips again . Not sure how I will like to travel by plane though. Take care , Little Miss Traveller.

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      1. Yes! I had never thought of Pisa or Italy but it looks great. My partners family is from Poland so we mostly just go there, but will be good to explore Italy when we are allowed back over there. I have enjoyed your travels vicariously though!

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  23. Sounds like you had a great time exploring Pisa. It’s such a beautiful place to wander around, isn’t? It’s been a year since we’ve been anywhere due to the COVID, hopefully, next year. Thanks for sharing and have a good day. Aiva

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    1. Thanks for taking the time to comment Allan, it’s much appreciated. It’s good to read that you also enjoyed visiting Pisa. It felt so lovely to be taking to the skies once again. Hope you are getting out and about quite a bit too even if you can’t cross the pond just yet. Marion

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  26. I found Pisa an interesting mix, Marion. Some of it sorely shabby, but the Duomo and tower spectacular. Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 🙂 I didn’t think you would be allowed to eat on the plane, otherwise what is the purpose of masks? I haven’t flown yet so I’m curious to know.

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    1. We’d only spent a few hours in Pisa before when we were picking up a hire car and touring the more rural parts of Tuscany so it was interesting to be based there for a few days. Ryanair operate a normal service on flights with the trolley service coming through the cabin a couple of times so it’s permitted to remove masks whilst eating and drinking either your own food or that bought on board. The same really as going into a U.K. shopping mall and popping into a food court for a snack.

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  28. Nice to hear about you travelling again. We drove to Tuscany and have been here for 7 weeks. I’m dreading the return flight to the UK. I will have a few hours in Pisa at the weekend so will follow your route which I don’t think I’ve done before so thank you.

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  32. Lucky you got to travel by air again after lockdown! I won’t be able to for a long time (i.e. at least a year) due to COVID-19 in the US and my new job, so I’m glad to see you taking to the skies. I only had a couple of hours in Pisa when I visited four years ago, and I remember strolling the sweeping Via Corso Italia on my way to the Leaning Tower. Pisa’s touristy, but still has its quaint charm that’s worth a go while in that part of the country!

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