http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30049 The tradition dates back to the glory days of Pisa as a mighty maritime republic and, in an Indiana Jones moment, the new year is said to begin when a sunbeam breaks through a specially placed window in the cathedral, lighting up a precisely positioned marble egg.

Cue lots of kissing, medieval costumes, marching, flag throwing and carousing. The main venue is clearly the cathedral, framed as it is by the Leaning Tower and the splendid baptistry in the 'Field Of Miracles'.

The tower, alongside the cathedral, finally free of all scaffolding and gleamingly white as of early 2011, may be ascended and you can book at the official site or use the second site below if you'd like to book for a date further in the future than allowed on the official site.


boxoffice.opapisa.it/Torre/first.jsp
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With tired feet and an afternoon plane to catch, we decided to spend our final day indulging ourselves at the local Spa, Bagni di Pisa. It is located in the sumptious converted residence of the (ex) Duke of Tuscany.

We took a taxi from Pisa to the Bagni di Pisa spa (€20), had a soak in their warm water thermal pool, followed by a 'Thai foot massage' for me and a facial treatment 'Silk Thermal' for my friend.

Upon arrival we were given bathrobes and plastic shoes to wear.

We found the place welcoming and atmospheric, the staff are professional and definitely know their stuff. We left feeling fantastic, soothed and relaxed. A nice way to end our holiday.

We then took the train back to Pisa (the train station is a five-minute walk from the spa - €1.60 each, 9 minutes' journey), changed trains in Pisa Centrale for the five-minute journey to the airport, Pisa Aeroporto, for our late afternoon flight home.

Note: Bagni di Pisa also is a four-star hotel.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18741 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9690
Staying here for a night to get your flight or stop off before you hit the rest of Tuscany can be a good diea. It will leave you refreshed and ready to see all the wonders this part of Italy has to offer.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9690 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8635
The name of the building comes from the coffee rooms of Cafe dell’Ussero, historic meeting place founded on 1st September 1775. The cafe was previously an inn, the Locanda dell’Ussero. Famous and distinguished guests have been - Carlo Goldoni in 1744, Giacomo Casanova in 1760, Count Alfieri in 1785, Filippo Mazzei in 1792, Gioacchino Belli in 1829 and John Ruskin in 1840.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8635 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3721
The internal staircase is smooth, well-worn marble and there are no handrails.

I almost killed myself, it was worse that the Cuillen ridge in winter.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3721 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/919 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/919 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8634 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8634 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7547
Visit in the morning to beat the crowds and the heat. You get to choose the date and specific time for your climb to the tower, but you may have to wait between one and a half to two hours (or more) if really busy, before your assigned time, as there is a very limited number of people that are allowed to climb at one time. Children under 8 are not permitted to climb the tower - the guard rails on the top are quite low and spaced too far from one another. You will not be allowed to bring a bag or backpack with you during the climb, but there are free, secured lockers at the ticket office.

Admission charges for the group of monuments and museums on the campo are tied together in a needlessly complicated way. The Cattedrale alone costs 2€ ($2.30). Any other single sight is 5€ ($5.75). Any two sights are 6€ ($6.90). The Cattedrale plus any two other sights is 8€ ($9.20). An 8.50€ ($9.80) ticket gets you into the Baptistery, Camposanto, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, and Museo delle Sinopie, while a 10.50€ ($12) version throws in the Cattedrale as well. Children under 10 enter free. Admission to the Leaning Tower (17€/$20) is by advance reservation only.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7547