A day trip to Pisa
Dear OZZ,
Pisa is just one hour train from Florence. It's a small city and the most important attractions are concentrated in
Piazza dei Miracoli where you can admire the famous
Leaning Tower - or Torre Pendente as we call it in Italian - and the
Baptistery. In Piazza dei Miracoli you'll also find the Cathedral of Pisa, the Monumental Cemetery and the Museum of Opera del Duomo that displays original copies of several works of art. You can then walk around the city and get a taste of it. It's nice walking along the Arno riverbanks.
If you like art you can visit a nice art exhibition at Palazzo Blu about
Marc Chagall.
Regarding joining groups you can
rent a bike or take a
walking tour. If you are in Florence, you can look for
organized bus tours to Pisa. This other site, Tuscany Tours, offers the "sharing" option for tours but doesn't indicate how much you can save.
Pisa, as well as Florence, is packed with tourists and students and I think it won't be difficult for you to meet fellow travelers. Meeting other students and travelers might be easier if you stay at a hostel or small hotel as you'll surely find others traveling on their own who are looking to make new friends.
I hope you'll enjoy your trip to Tuscany
