Loverno, Italy Thursday, April 2, 2015 Trip to Tower of Pisa
On Wednesday, April 1 we boarded the Pulmantur’s Sovereign
Cruise Ship around noon. This ship is much larger than Zuiderdam and it is
loaded with many families who are vacationing for the upcoming Easter holiday.
Many came back to the ship looking weary after a full day in Rome. We relaxed
and enjoyed the peace of being on board with few people there. After having a
quiet dinner, we enjoyed watching the sun set….so romantic.
Thursday morning the ship arrived in Laverno at 7:30am.
Laverno is located on the Ligurian Sea in central Italy.
It is a major seaport and commercial center. Shipbuilding is the leading industry followed by metalwork, petroleum refining, manufacturing electronic motors, glass and chemicals. It is also home to the Italian Naval Academy, naval shipyard, and naval arsenal.
After a quick bite of breakfast we left the ship to catch the shuttle from the port entrance for 5 Euro each. It was sunny with a high of 74 degrees. The drive was through an industrial area…not very scenic.
From there we rode Bus 1 downtown to the train station for 1.20 Euro each. After a fifteen minute train ride for 2.50 each, we used the Ulmon app on the Ipod (city maps) to find the leaning Tower of Pisa.
It is a major seaport and commercial center. Shipbuilding is the leading industry followed by metalwork, petroleum refining, manufacturing electronic motors, glass and chemicals. It is also home to the Italian Naval Academy, naval shipyard, and naval arsenal.
After a quick bite of breakfast we left the ship to catch the shuttle from the port entrance for 5 Euro each. It was sunny with a high of 74 degrees. The drive was through an industrial area…not very scenic.
From there we rode Bus 1 downtown to the train station for 1.20 Euro each. After a fifteen minute train ride for 2.50 each, we used the Ulmon app on the Ipod (city maps) to find the leaning Tower of Pisa.
We meandered through the old town of Pisa for around a mile
and finally came upon the fantastic sight of the Tower of Pisa which is a bell tower built back in 1173 for the Cathedral that was sitting in front of it.
Unbelievable but true, it started leaning after the first three floors were built due to being built on swampy, sandy soil. It was closed from 1990 to 2001. Engineers stabilized it in 2008….but it still leans.
and finally came upon the fantastic sight of the Tower of Pisa which is a bell tower built back in 1173 for the Cathedral that was sitting in front of it.
Unbelievable but true, it started leaning after the first three floors were built due to being built on swampy, sandy soil. It was closed from 1990 to 2001. Engineers stabilized it in 2008….but it still leans.
We luckily purchased tickets to go up in the tower at 12:15
for 18.00 Euro each….about an hour wait. We enjoyed looking around the grounds
that are acclaimed to be Italy’s most gorgeous square.
It was just amazing to sit and enjoy the sight of the leaning tower….something that we had only read about in books.
Larry tried hard to push it back up!!!
Unfortunately the
cathedral was closed.
It was just amazing to sit and enjoy the sight of the leaning tower….something that we had only read about in books.
We enjoyed the whole day with a family from Los Angeles. It
is great to make new friends along the way.
Kay, Jeff, Jacob and Chinchin
Up, up we went!
We climbed to the top of the tower….226 steps and circled
the outside rim to climb an additional 37 steps to reach the top of the tower
where seven bells hung.
Huge indentions in the marble steps indicated millions had preceeded our trip to the top.
Fabulous views of the city and snow covered mountains in the horizon, made the trip up well worth the journey.
Huge indentions in the marble steps indicated millions had preceeded our trip to the top.
Fabulous views of the city and snow covered mountains in the horizon, made the trip up well worth the journey.
After taking loads of pictures we had to get gelato to highlight
the terrific moment.
Lunch and Cappachino were enjoyed at a scenic sidewalk café.
The sun must cast an awesome light on these magical old Italian row of homes in the evening.
We found our way back to the ship arriving around 5:30pm. The ship pulled away from the docks at 7:00pm with another glowing sunset. WHAT A LOVELY DAY!
Lunch and Cappachino were enjoyed at a scenic sidewalk café.
The sun must cast an awesome light on these magical old Italian row of homes in the evening.
We found our way back to the ship arriving around 5:30pm. The ship pulled away from the docks at 7:00pm with another glowing sunset. WHAT A LOVELY DAY!
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