Wood, leather and flowers
18 Jan 2012
When I was a child, craftsmen’s shops (or “botteghe artigiane” as we call them in Italian) were very common. Now the “botteghe artigiane” are a rarity and a resource.
Pisa ZTL: Limited Traffic Zone
15 Oct 2011
All you need to know about limited traffic zones in Italy, and Pisa in particular, and on how to avoid fines.
“Pane e coperto”: service charges in Italian restaurants
26 Sep 2011
“Pane e coperto” literally means “bread and tableware” but it is essentially a service charge that restaurants add to the bill for each guest. It is one of the most controversial issues in travel forums. I say it’s part of the Italian way of life, and we have to learn to live with it.
Parking in Pisa and Siena
17 Sep 2011
A (hopefully) useful post about where to park in Pisa and Siena, and some info on how to avoid being fined in the ZTLs. And no… they are not a scam for tourists. You just need to do your homework before getting behind the wheel and pay some attention to road signs.
Useful tips for planning your next vacation in Tuscany
08 Aug 2011
A collection of useful posts for travelers planning on visiting Tuscany.
What to see in Southern Tuscany
04 Mar 2011
Tuscany is a varied region, with many different interesting areas, each with its specific character and features. Here is a very quick presentation of what travelers can see in the Siena and Grosseto provinces.
Jewish Pisa
27 Jan 2011
On Holocaust Memorial Day a thematic walk through a city that has always welcomed the Jewish community seems a good way to remember those who fell victims to human madness.
How to travel from Pisa to Florence…
21 Jan 2011
…or from Pisa airport to Pisa Central Train Station, or from the station to the Leaning Tower, or… have you considered using Pisa as a base?
The Jewish Cemetery in Pisa
05 Sep 2010
The cemetery in Pisa is one of the most ancient Jewish burial grounds still in use. An interesting, little-known place in Pisa, just around the corner from the Leaning Tower.
Letters to Juliet: here we go again!
04 Sep 2010
Good tourist promotion… but can we please do without the stereotypes?!
