Pisa is a bit of a one trick pony when it comes to tourism. I love the tower and everything around it, but that’s it. It’s funny to look at tourists trying to get cliched photos holding up the leaning tower, but once you’ve walked around the precinct, you’re done. I’m sure the locals would like to expand things a little, but they’d need a Time Machine to really do a good job. I’ve been here twice before but both times were day trips from Florence, and that’s the way that most people treat Pisa.
It was a little complicated to get out of town, with the roadworks, but pretty soon, we were onto less travelled roads, and then onto some nice gravel country lanes through farmland and then bush land. We were close to the coast but only got one glimpse prior to Viareggio where we rejoined sealed roads with the usual traffic.
That’s where we stopped for a delicious panini in the local square then joined the coastal cycle path that we’d follow for the rest of the day. It was stress-free, easy cycling and in the end, we covered nearly 45km, Cathie’s longest day yet.
We arrived at our hotel in Marina di Massa, and even though the bikes had to stay outside in their rear courtyard for the evening, the hospitality shown to us was first rate. We did the usual – clean up, wash clothes, then look around.
We wandered into the nice town, walked out onto the pier, then around the town. Our problem in Italy is that by 6pm, we have nothing to do but wait for a restaurant to open. So, we’ll usually have a Spritz, a beer or a glass of wine. Very civilised.
That’s what we did today. We sat near the pier and watched as the sky changed colour with the sun setting. We are always given peanuts or chips and that helps stave off any hunger pangs until restaurants open.
Tonight we found a lovely little restaurant with a laid back waiter, great atmosphere and lovely food.
