Archive for 'Pisa'

Toulouse-Lautrec is a French artist of the nineteenth century who worked in similar circles to the Impressionists such as Monet. Even if his name is new to you, it is unlikely that you are unfamiliar with his works as they have become hugely iconic. The so-called “soul of Montmartre”, he captured the streets, lights, music and atmosphere of the bohemian Montmartre district in the late nineteenth century. He was an illustrator and engraver and is best known for the posters that he designed for establishments such as the Moulin Rouge. This key figure of Parisian art history is being showcased in a fantastic exhibition not in Paris but in Pisa at the Palazzo Blu which has become more and more well-known for its world-class exhibitions. Any serious art-lovers who are thinking of holidaying in Tuscany will want to find a luxury villa in Pisa and drop by before the exhibition closes in February.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to have a great holiday in Pisa. Once you've flown there, found a luxury villa in Pisa, bought a couple souvenirs and had some great dinners, money will start to look a little scarce.

So you don't have to worry about it getting any scarcer, we've compiled two lists of things you can do absolutely for free so that you don't have to watch every penny and can just enjoy yourself.

Read this list and, if you still want more, go find the original one and see what's on there as well!

Spending can pile up on holidays and the last thing you want to have to think about is money while trying to enjoy yourself. This is particularly true of popular tourist destinations where the town relies on tourism and, therefore, seems as if they're going to try charging for air next. Pisa is no different. Between the Leaning Tower, museums, transport, food, souvenirs and all those little extras, it wouldn't be long before you've spent your entire budget.

In order to make sure you can make it last and keep money aside for the important things – like eating good food – we've compiled a list of things that you can do free of charge.

The Knight's Square, or Piazza dei Cavalieri, in Pisa is a town square and a landmark that holds particular historical importance. It is thought to have Roman origins, was a political centre during the Middle Ages, used as the headquarters of the Order of the Knights, and was the site of Medici displays of power. After 1140 many churches and buildings belonging to different municipalities were built around the square and it is full of other secular buildings, particularly those from 16th century rebuilding by Vasari, that are rich in culture and history as well. If you want to sit out in a sunny town square and soak up Italian culture and history and enjoy the lifestyle, find a villa with pool in Pisa.

To the west of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Duomo there is a Baptistery which is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. Construction began in 1152 but was not completed until 1363. Largely Romanesque and Gothic in style it does, however, display Byzantine and Islamic influences as well. Small and perfectly formed and built to allow for exceptional acoustics, it is a symmetrical architectural gem, only a stone's throw from the more famous Leaning Tower. Why not find a villa with pool in the Pisa area and visit the tower and the baptistery, it's lesser-known but equally fascinating and incredibly beautiful cousin?