It is Autumn in Russia. To prolong the warm days is the typical wish of any Siberian man. Luckily, there are some countries where Summer is still reigning. And Italy is one of such pleasant countries. So, I headed to this great land to catch more sunny days.
At the same time the heavy rains are highly possible in Italy at this period of time. Nevertheless, it must be comfortable there even at wet season. At least I will be able to find the source of genuine inspiration among these famous Tuscany landscapes and outstanding architecture.
Vnukovo airport positively surprises. Everything was really fast, including the physical inspection and check-in. Even such a small detail as the Aeroexpress arriving to the covered platform deserves a separate respect from my side.
It is the lowcoster Pobeda I am flying with, and the lunch is not provided aboard. So, I went to Burger King for loading with the Double Wooper and extra halapenio. It cost me only 291 rubles. I hope, in Italy there is a healthy food, and it is affordable.
3 hours and 30 minutes is the duration of the flight from Moscow to Pisa. Meanwhile, sitting in the armchair I realized that something was missing in my perception. I felt the lack of something, which always accompanied me during the first day of any journey. Sometimes I name it euphoria, but sometimes I define it as the taste of the forthcoming adventures, or anticipation of joy. Anyways, I do not feel anything like this at the moment. Probably, I am getting old and stale, and there are not many things, which are able to excite me now. It is sad. Still, there is hope, that it is about tiredness and big tension only, and eventually I will find the trip really captivating.
We arrived to Pisa. The airport is extremely close to the city centre, and I have no reason to use any public transport, because I am not in the real rush. In fact, it is only 2 kilometers from the airport to the central train station, from where I am going to continue the way to my first place of staying.
The city of Pisa is located on the west coast of Italy, in Tuscany. It has the unique geographical position, and it might be highly appreciated by those, who are willing to combine such things as seaside and mountains in one trip.
Pisa is divided into two parts the North and the South by the legendary river Arno, which is secondly important in the Central Italy after the Tiber. In fact, Arno starts in the Apennines, goes all along Tuscany, crosses such cities as Empoli and Florence, and flows into the Tyrrhenian Sea near Pisa.
They say that in Pisa there are many interesting monuments, churches and squares to visit. However, the leaning tower is what pops up in people's mind when they hear the city's name. And I also was interested primarily in seeing this tower, which is located in a grassy field known as 'Piazza dei Miracoli' (or 'Square of miracles' in English).
It is a particular kind of entertainment to observe, how the people around are taking the different amusing positions, trying to play up the unusual reclining state of the tower.
It was a big surprise to see that there is something else near the tower. For example, the Cathedral, which is considered to be one of the greatest examples of Romanesque architecture. However, people seem to be not interested in that at all.
Very soon I turned back to the central station, because I have a train ticket to the town of Bagni di Lucca, where my first 'vacation house' is located.
While waiting for the train, you should be aware of the fact that they may change the departure platform. However, there is the panel with online information, and additionally they duplicate the announcement in Italian and English voice.
I was at the station of Bagni di Lucca in 1 hour. There were another 2 kilometres to get to my temporary house.
In general, it seems to be a rural place. At least at 8 pm there were not many people in the streets. Furthermore, the pedestrians areas are not well developed here, but fortunately, the cars do not often drive by. The supermarkets are closing at 8 pm. And on top of that, the mobile network is unstable here. Very rural place, but atmospheric one.
I was warmly met by the hosts Carlos and Cecilia, and after a short conversation I went out to study the new surroundings. One kilometer away from my apartments I discovered the restaurant 'Da MaMo', where I stayed for the long-expected supper.
When visiting the resting room I was confused, how to use a sink. I could not understand for a while how to turn the tap on. As it turned out, there is a special pedal, which controls the water flow.
So, at the restaurant I went for seafood salad and pizza Margherita. I was slightly surprised when they served the first meal. It was not the salad with green vegetables as I expected initially, but the plate with different seafood, and at the bottom they placed a few green leaves. Simple and delicious. Pizza was also good, as well as home white wine and espresso for the dessert. All in all I paid 21.5 euro. Fair enough.
On the way back I enjoyed the silence of the sleeping town. A little bit scary, but charming.
