Leaning Tower of Pisa

The day we when to Pisa it was a  scorching hot Sunday with clear blue bright sky . It was my idea and my childhood dream. DH was too tired of driving from Zurich to Venice. So we took a train. It was a pleasant journey. We changed the trains at Florence. We walked near by for a hour or two before boarding the train to Pisa. We had been to Florence in winter season. It was a totally different place in Summer. Very lively and vibrant. There was a street markets selling all kinds of pretty things, leather goods, souvenir, scarves etc 

Finally boarded the train to Pisa. It was a smaller one packed full with tourists who were eager and excited to see the leaning tower of Pisa. It is fun to see people from all over the world talking about their travels..
From the station we started walking towards where we thought the leaning tower of Pisa is. After travelling so much we have developed a sense of direction like a compass or something.

We followed the signs and road map. Since it was Sunday, except for the tourists no one was around. It was quite an experience walking on the empty streets, old buildings with beautifully carved wooden doors, closed shops( DH was so happy(lol)) Finally after 45 minutes we saw the tower. It looked as stunning and breathtaking as it looks in pictures. 

I wanted to go to the top of the tower . Only guided tours are allowed. The last one had just went inside and the next one was after 3 and a half hours. So we decided to skip it. We took all kinds of pics... trying to push the tower, trying to hold it from falling, touching its tip, pushing it with fingers etc etc.. Here is one such pic..

DH had a very Italian pizza and I had minestrone soup( I never had a better one except in Italy) and we headed back.. Again while coming back we stopped and toured in Florence.

Check out more beautiful locations at Skywatch.

On the way to Italy...

When we drove to Italy last month .It was a very hot summer day. My husband insisted on leaving early in the morning..I not being a morning person it was tough but yes we managed..The Gotthard Pass between German speaking  and Italian speaking Switzerland is notorious for traffic jams, long tunnels and accidents. Though we started early but we still were stuck in long traffic jam at the Pass for 1 hour..really frustrating! But the weather helped.. It is so good to travel on a clear blue day with only few clouds floating in the sky.. 

We passed by beautiful Italian alps.. every green trees..quaint towns/villages.. magnificent churches which were build on the top of the mountains.. As we passed the cooler region and moved deeper into warmer Italy.. 

.....We passed by Tuscan colored houses- earthy colors like terra cotta, browns, deep reds, oranges, yellows. Wineries.. farms .. castles and fortress..!!!  Awesome!! 


Driving in Europe is something very exciting..kind of adventure for us.. different languages and signs ..different driving styles.. .when people are mean or extra nice to you after seeing your swiss number plate..food or restaurants along the way..different words for petrol ..yes the excitement and anxiety as to what should I fill and the people who try to help .. talking in sign language as we don't speak the same language!!

Do visit Skywatch Friday for more stunning travel pictures and skies!!