In December 2023, we explored Pisa, Italy, from Eindhoven and then Florence, the cultural city of Europe. There was no direct flight from Eindhoven to Florence, so we decided to travel to Pisa and then Florence. We experienced local food, local markets, and different architectural marvels during our travels and stays in these cities. Here, we are listing ten things from our trip to keep in mind on your next visit to these cities.

Must read to avoid penalty or fine in tram/bus.

1. Buy a bus/tram ticket from a ticket vending machine, and you must punch it inside; otherwise, you’ll be fined. The punching machine will add a date and time to tickets, which can be verified by a ticket inspector. This is important, as we saw some visitors were fined once for not punching a ticket.

2. Pisa airport and the central railway station have a direct tram connection at an affordable price, known as the Pisa Mover. Now you know what to look for if you want to go from the airport to the station or the other way around in Pisa. This helps to avoid bus and taxi searches.

3. There are direct trains from Pisa Central Station (aka Pisa Centrale) to Florence (aka Firenze S. M. Novella), which will cost around 9.30 euros per adult for just over an hour’s journey. Also, there are vending machines to buy a ticket by yourself, and don’t forget to punch just before getting into the train.

https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html

Note: For long-distance travel like Florence to Venice in Italy, you can try speed trains to travel. Although it is not available to Florence from Pisa or vice-versa.

https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html

4. Florence, known as the capital of the Tuscany region (aka Central Italy), is well-connected with tram service with higher frequency and late nights, but keep coins handy, as some machines don’t work with currency notes.

5. The largest and most beautiful museum, the Uffizi Gallery, in a U-shape, has free entry on the first Sunday of each month. And you need a minimum of 90 minutes to cover it quickly. The gallery includes works from artists Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael Michelangelo, Rembrandt etc. in three floors.

6. You should have patience and time to explore monuments, galleries, museums etc. in Florence. We covered some of them on one side of the river Arno and didn’t explore the other side of it, like Palazzo Pitti, Piazzale Michelangelo etc as we had some constraints.

7. Pizza is originated from Naples, Italy and available with different flavors in local and Italian restaurants but had to find chicken pizza which is common in branded pizza restaurant chains like Dominos etc.

8. Many caricature specialists, artists and painters are visible close to the Duomo Basilica, Florence, and Ponte Vecchio bridge, the only bridge spared from destruction during WWII.

9. Must visit the local market close to Duomo Basilica, Florence, for shopping, a kids’ play area, enjoying local music with local food and trying hot red wine, known as glogg wine.

10. Last but not least, a place to stay during travel is very important and needs to be affordable, easily reachable from the center, and well-maintained. And Quadra Key Residence in Florence matches all of these. Thanks to digital key, check-in and check-out were hassle-free.

https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html

Note: The prices of the tickets and timings mentioned above were dated 2023, which may change with time.

We connected the dots, looking back, but it will help others for their upcoming trip. Please share your experience with this post to make it better next time.

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