This was my third visit to this beautiful Italian city.  Arriving on a Sunday, I chose to spend the day exploring a bit, having made reservations in advance for the tower, for the following day.  But, more on that later!

I booked a room at the lovely Relais Centro Storico Residenza D’Epoca, which is located on the main pedestrian street, Corso Italia, which leads from the train station to the Arno River.  I took a Superior Room for myself, and boy, I was glad I did!  The bathroom was the size of my living room in New York City!  The rooms were lovely, decorated in an Old-World style, and it was quiet at night, even though it was located on a main road.

I loved the lighting in my room!  Once I was settled in, I decided to explore the area that I was staying in, for a while.  On this side of the river, Corso Italia divides the city into two neighborhoods: San Martino and Sant’Antonio.

At the end of Corso Italia, by the river, one comes to the Loggia dei Banchi, which is today used for special presentations, or simply as a place for locals to hang out.

Once I hit the water, I headed right to explore as many of the side alleyways as I possibly could.

The Arno River cuts the city in two.

One needs to look down each and every little side street, as there are wonderful finds in all of them!

The garden of the Ufficio dei Fiumi e Fossi was really lovely, but, alas, it is private and visiting it is not allowed!  That was okay, though.  I found plenty of other things to occupy my time with.

The Church of San Martino, which gives the neighborhood its name, is located in a lovely piazza.  It was closed, so I was unable to go inside.

Before long, I ended up at a section of the old city walls.

Heading back towards Corso Italia, I kept discovering wonders that made me so very happy!

Only in Pisa can you get pizza in a cone!

At the entrance to Via La Pera, one finds two little carvings of pears.

Via La Pera lead to the charming Piazza Chiara Gambacorti.

After being converted into apartments, all that is left of an old theatre is the sign above the door, and the beautiful iron work.

I had beef carpaccio for lunch, at Caffe Astra, back on Corso Italia.

A statue of Nicola Pisano stands in a small piazza off of Corso Italia.  This street is really the lifeline of the city, lined with shops and cafés of all kinds.

Next up: Part 2 of Day 1 in Pisa!

 

Note: This blog is written in English and Spanish, and the author takes no responsibility for the quality of any other translations which may appear.  If you have enjoyed this post, please, check out our archives for more posts from Pisa, as well as other Italian destinations.  Grazie!