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Pirin National Park

Pirin is in Pirin Macedonia, in Bulgaria. The range is a national park and since 1983 part of the UNESCO World nature heritage.

Bankso
Bansko, the popular ski resort, is an important entry gate for the Pirin range.

 * Several buses per day go from Bansko bus station (from the bridge near the bus and train stations, also calls at Strazhite Hotel) to Vihren hut at 08:30, 13:20, 17:00, and return from Vihren hut at 09:30, 14:20 and 18:00. 8 лв.
 * The taxi is around 25 лв.
 * In summer there is a once a day gondola 08:00 and 16:30.
 * A good option to reach Pirin from Bansko is to hitchhike, which is particularly easy during the summer with a good amount of domestic tourists heading up to either of the huts. Walk south (gently uphill) from the train or bus stations though town until you reach the entrance to the Pirin National Park, indicated by a small house for information about the park. From there, the only cars going will be into the park.

Sandanski
Another popular entry point is via Sandanski, about which this article is lacking.

Get around
Once inside you will have to hike, the different huts and summits are connected by hiking trails. There are many different options for hikes, with indications on how many hours each hike will take at a moderate, comfortable pace. If you plan to spend a while hiking, check with the tourist office (during normal business hours) to get a map of the area and plan out your hike.

For reliable offline maps, including trails and huts, and GPS navigation consult OpenStreetMap, which is used by this travel guide and by many mobile Apps like OsmAnd or Mapy.cz. Or just download the according GPX or KML files through Waymarked Trails for such trails on OpenStreetMap. (Note, you just need to change the OpenStreetMap relation ID to download the GPX or KML files through the same link.)

See
There is a broad network of flagged trails through the mountains. The Pirin tourist map (1:50,000, available at local shops) offers a good overview of the trails and huts/chalets to sleep in.

Notable geological features of the park include:

Do
Popular with domestic tourists, you can hike Mt. Vihren, the second highest peak in Bulgaria (2,914 m). Round trip from the Vihren hut takes 6 hr; it is a beautiful mountain which offers beautiful views.

There are also plenty more trails to be discovered. The area around Vihren peak is quite barren, so you may want to hike in lower elevations if you want to explore more of the incredible pine forests in the area.

Eat
Most serviced huts offer basic meals, provided you can communicate with the caretaker. Prices are low, and food in generally tasty. For example, a good breakfast will cost around 6 лв, a dinner with beer will be around 10–12 лв, a soup 3–4 лв, omelette 6 лв, and a hearty salad will be 5–7 лв. Coffee and tea are 1–2 лв.

Sleep
There is a network of mountain huts/chalets, which offer rooms and bungalows (bungalow for about 20 лв for two persons). Bring your sleeping bag just in case, but you can expect that a dorm room in the hut will provide blankets and sometimes even clean linen, the latter becomes more sparse the more remote.

Sleeping in the huts is 15-20 лв. Prices are often pinned at the wall inside of the huts. BTS member pay a few leva less.

Alternatively, there are marked camping areas around the huts. There is a popular, inexpensive tent camping area around Banderitsa, close to the restaurant and water source, about 20-30 min walking slightly downhill from Vihren hut/chalet.

Many popular huts are serviced between April and November. But even if not serviced, the sleeping area is often left open during winter.

Stay safe
This is mountainous terrain between 2,000-3,000 m, which can be rough, slippery sometimes, with steep cliffs, and getting cold at night very quickly. Take the usual precautions.

If inexperienced, better just do Mt. Vihren and Vihren hut, or go with an organised tour.

Take well enough time to hike the trails, due to the sometimes rugged underground, walking speeds of 2-3 km/hr are not uncommon.

Except for the popular trails, most are badly marked and you will better have GPS and maps with you.

Go next

 * Bansko – The skiing village to the slope of Mt. Vihren, very touristy.
 * Melnik
 * Rhodope Mountains – Not as steep as Pirin, and thus probably more enjoyable for people less used to alpine conditions.
 * Sofia - If taking the train, you will want to check the schedule of departures. You will first have to transfer at Septemvri, so check the schedule to there.

title: Pirin National Park


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Piripiri

Piripiri is a city of 63,000 people in Piauí, Brazil, good as a base camp for the Sete Cidades National Park.

Get in
The bus station is a few kilometers out of town, -taxi to the center R$ 7, mototaxi R$ 3. Guanabara has departures for Parnaíba, Teresina, Sobral and Fortaleza.

Sleep
A few hotels by the bus station, and, more conveniently near the church smack in the center.

Go next

 * Parque Nacional de Sete Cidades is about 25 km from town. A taxi will charge you up to R$ 50 each way. There is a free employees' bus departing around 7 AM from the church, returning 5 PM from the park.
 * Caldeirão is a fresh water lake, good for swimming, with restaurants and bars, about 8 km from town. Several buses a day, R$ 2.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Piripiri


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Pirkanmaa

Pirkanmaa is a province in the Finnish Lakeland.

Regions

 * Greater Tampere – The Tampere metropolitan area is the second largest in Finland. Here we count it to cover Tampere, a few neighbouring towns and the most of its regional lakes.
 * Higher Pirkanmaa – The northern part of the region, which is mostly known for the Helvetinjärvi National Park.
 * North Western Pirkanmaa – The mostly rural region with the towns of Ikaalinen and Parkano.
 * South Western Pirkanmaa – The mostly rural region with the town of Sastamala.
 * Lower Pirkanmaa – The southern part of the region, which mainly focuses on the surroundings of Lake Vanajavesi.

Cities

 * – where the well-known telecommunications company opened their doors
 * – where the well-known telecommunications company opened their doors
 * – where the well-known telecommunications company opened their doors
 * – where the well-known telecommunications company opened their doors
 * – where the well-known telecommunications company opened their doors

Municipalities

 * (joined the province in 2021)
 * (joined the province in 2021)
 * (joined the province in 2021)
 * (joined the province in 2021)

Other destinations

 * , Ruovesi
 * , Kuhmoinen
 * , Ylöjärvi and Ikaalinen

Understand

Pirkanmaa is the south-western end of the Finnish Lakeland, with historically important waterways and many lakes.

The Tampere region is a centre of Finnish industry since the 1800s, thanks to the rivers. There is traditional metal and forest industry, but the region is transforming into a knowledge-based economy.

Get in
Tampere is well connected to the southern, western and northern parts of the country, with roughly hourly buses and trains from Helsinki and Turku. It lies on Highway 4 (E75), the main north–south highway, as well as on the railway from Helsinki to Oulu and Lapland.

To get in from eastern Finland you will in most cases need to transfer in Jyväskylä (train, bus) or Lahti (bus).

Tampere Airport is Ryanair's destination in Finland and AirBaltic hub so there are a couple of direct flights from odd airports in Europe, in addition to some flights from Scandinavian destinations. If you fly in from abroad, you can fly to Helsinki and continue by bus, train or plane. Turku has some international flights, most of them operated by Wizz Air.

Get around
Trains of VR can be used for some journeys.

Coaches are the main way of getting around, see Matkahuolto.

By taxi

 * Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Menevä, Uber
 * Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Menevä, Uber

See

 * Enjoy the view from the ridges near Kangasala.
 * The 19th century industrial buildings of Tampere, "Finland's Manchester".
 * The Spy museum, Lenin museum and other special museums in Tampere.

Do

 * Go on a spa holiday in Ikaalinen or Nokia.
 * Watch a local ice hockey derby in Tampere.
 * Hike in the "Lake of Hell" - Helvetinjärvi National Park in Ruovesi.
 * Taste the infamous blood sausage "mustamakkara" in Tampere.
 * Go on a shopping spree in IdeaPark in Lempäälä.

Boating
Many of the larger lakes belong to the Näsijärvi–Ruovesi waterways in the north and the Längelmävesi–Vanajavesi waterways in the south-east, both drained into the Bothnian Sea by the non-navigable Kokemäenjoki. Kuhmoinen in the east borders to Päijänne across the watershed, drained to the Gulf of Finland by the likewise mostly non-navigable Kymijoki.

There are cruises on the largest lakes and along the waterways, such as from Tampere via Ruovesi to Virrat. It should be easy to rent a boat, and there are many places to explore by canoe. While sailing is popular e.g. on Näsijärvi, several canals have bridges of only 5.5 m.

Stay safe
Pirkanmaa is a safe place.

title: Pirkanmaa


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Pirongia

Pirongia is a little village about 30 minutes drive south of Hamilton, in southern Waikato, in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located at the base of Mount Pirongia. There is a little info centre in town that will give you hiking info and where to go.

Get in
Pirongia is about 30 km south of Hamilton and 12 km west of Te Awamutu, off State Highway 3 as it runs south from Hamilton to Otorohanga. For a more direct trip, get off the highways and take the country roads through Temple View and see the Mormon Temple in this area.

Eat
There is a pub that serves food and a couple of cafes.

Go next

 * Raglan
 * Te Awamutu
 * Waitomo

title: Pirongia


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Pirotan Island

Pirotan Island is one of the islands in the Marine National Park near Jamnagar district in Gujarat.

Understand
Pirotan Island is the most famous part of the first Marine National Park in India.

History
Although people have been visiting the island to pay homage at the sacred shrine of Khwaja Khijer Alaihisalaam for over a century, it is only since the late 20th century that it has developed as a tourist destination based on its natural beauty.

Landscape
This island is fringed by coral reefs and sandy beaches.

Flora and fauna
The island is home to a wide variety of hard as well as soft corals and marine life like Puffer Fish, Octopus, Star fish, Sea Anemones, etc. In addition, dolphin, sea turtles and sometimes even Dugongs frequent the ocean around the island, while on land the rocky coves offer sanctuary to hundreds of flocks of crab plover.

Climate
October to April is the best time to visit the island. Although October is slightly hot

Get in

 * Passenger boats can be hired at Bedi Port to visit the island - a journey of around 2 hours.

Fees and permits
A Forest Department permit & Customs Department endorsements for Indian Nationals and for Non Indians Police Department endorsements are required to visit the island. These can be arranged through Hotel Managements in Jamnagar. One of the hotel which arranges is Hotel President in Jamnagar.

Get around
To gain the most from the experience of visiting the island, it is recommended to hire an island guide. The island can only be reached at full tide. One gets to stay there for at least 10 hours per visit.

Eat & drink
All food and drink must be carried to the island as there are no facilities or even drinking water there.

Sleep
It is possible to camp on the island, depending on the permission from the Forest Department

Camping
Hotel Managements in Jamnagar can assist with camping arrangements.

Stay safe
Requirements for visiting the island: Sufficient amount of drinking water, thick soled shoes, woolen clothing, sun screen and mosquito repellent.

title: Pirotan Island


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Pisa

Pisa is a city in Tuscany, Italy, best known for its world-famous leaning tower. But the tower isn't the only thing to see – there are other architectural and artistic marvels in this beautiful city. The half-hour walk from the Campo dei Miracoli to the train station runs through a pedestrian street with many interesting sights, shops, and restaurants. The best way to visit Pisa is walking the streets, as the city centre is small and cosy, and enjoying the sight and the atmosphere.

Understand
Pisa would not be Pisa without the university. The city is animated by the students, who organize parties, shows, and cultural events, and fill the central street of the city at night. The University of Pisa has 60,000 students in a city of 90,000 inhabitants (200,000 in the metropolitan area). You'll notice the student flair in the city once you leave the touristy Campo dei Miracoli.

Climate
The climate of Pisa is something in between the one in the north and in the south of Italy.

Winters are mild: not as warm as in Catania nor as cold as in the Po Valley in the north. Temperatures almost never drop below zero. Snow is very rare.

Summers are warm, if hot, and sometimes very humid, although they are nowhere near as intolerable as in cities such as Milan, Turin and Ferrara, because they are mitigated by the wind and the sea (which is about away from the city centre). Rainfall in July and August is rare.

Spring and autumn are very pleasant, although most rainfall occurs in these seasons.

Tourist information

 * Pisa Tourism website

By plane
The airport is very close to the city centre, only south of the main railway station. Transport between city and airport:

 * Pisamover is a pair of automated cable-drawn trams that shuttle between the airport and Pisa Centrale railway station. They run daily from 06:00 to 00:00 at 5-8 minute intervals, taking 5 minutes. Buy tickets from the self-service machines next to the platform gates (not from Trenitalia machines or kiosks): €6.50 per person. The airport station is 200 m from the terminal. At Pisa Centrale, follow signs through the subway to Platform 13, which looks desolate, but turn right to find the Pisamover platform and ticket machines. The two trams meet at a midway station, which is the Park & Ride area of Aurelia and San Giusto.
 * City buses don't reach the airport, but stop on Via Sant'Agostino, a 5-10 minute walk north. They're often a better option than Pisamover for parts of the city away from the railway station, eg the Leaning Tower area. Head towards the Pisamover station then turn right, walk under the highway bridge and bear left to come onto Via Sant'Agostino. LAM verde, the green line, pass there every 10-15 minutes, from 06:00 to 21:00 (from 07:30 Sundays). Evening buses (Line 21) stop there every 30 minutes between 21:00 and 23:00, (online timetables). Buy tickets from the information desk in the arrivals hall.
 * Direct buses to Florence and Lucca run from outside Arrivals.
 * A taxi to the city centre will cost around €10-20. Going from the airport to the train station it’s cheaper to take a taxi than taking the pisamover if you are 3+ people. Otherwise, as an alternative, you can book an airport transfer in advance. This service is especially convenient for large groups.
 * Easy Private Taxi has Pisa Airport to the city at €36 for a Mercedes E class, €43 for a minivan
 * 123 Transfers has Pisa Airport to the city at €37.50 for a sedan (3 people), €50 for a minivan (8 people)
 * Kiwitaxi has Pisa Airport to any part of the city at €33 for a comfort-class for 4 people, €40 for a minibus for 7 people, €108 for a premium-class for 3 people.
 * Walk: it's less than to the railway station, and  to the leaning tower. The route is through a residential area, uninteresting but safe to walk.

By train

is the main railway station, just south of city centre. Rome to Genoa trains stop here; most other destinations involve changing at Florence (SMN or Rifredi) for the regional trains through Pisa Centrale to Livorno or Viareggio. There's a Left Luggage service here, open from 08:00-21:00, costing €5 for the entire day. This station is also the city terminus of the "Pisamover" tramway from the airport and Park & Ride.

To visit the area around the Leaning Tower, which is at the northwest corner of the old centre, station is much closer. It's on the branch line from Pisa Centrale to Lucca and Pistoia, with trains at least hourly.

By road
Flixbus run direct between Pisa and Milan, Genoa and Rome. Don't use them for Florence, as the pick-up / drop-off is way out on the western edge of Florence.

With your own car, Pisa is easy to reach by autostrada, but city parking is the problem.

Get around
In the city centre, just walk.

By bus
The LAM or city buses run frequently to 18:00 then sparsely to 23:00. The most useful route is LAM Rossa, the red line, between railway station, riverside (stop Lungarno Pacinotti 2) and Leaning Tower (stop Piazza dei Miracoli). LAM Verde runs near the airport.

Tickets for both LAM and out-of-town buses are €1.50 single, a pack of ten is €14. Single tickets can also be purchased from the bus driver for €2.50. Tickets must be validated on boarding the bus; they are then valid for 70 minutes.

By bicycle
Pisa has a public bicycle service called Ciclopi which allows travellers pick up and drop cycles to and from 15 points around the city. They have a mobile app Bicincittà, but the only way to register is to come in person to their point of sales: INFOPOINT piazza del Duomo 7 (in front of the Cathedral), every day 09.30 - 17.30; LA GALLERIA DEL DISCO via San Francesco 96, every day 09.00 - 20.00; SOLFERINO TABACCHI piazza Solferino 11, from Monday to Saturday 08.00 - 13.00 and 15.30-20.00. Possible subscriptions: Subscriptions include unlimited free rides up to 30 minutes. And then €0.9 for the second half hour, €1.5 for the third half hour, €2 for all subsequent half hours.
 * Daily: €5, including €1 of credit.
 * Weekly: €10, including of credit.

By car
Not in the city centre: many streets are either pedestrianised or restricted to residents (ZTL, Zone a traffico limitato, camera-enforced but easy to stray into accidentally). Those streets that you can drive into are narrow, one-way, congested, and with next-to-no parking. Ask ahead at your accommodation for parking and permitted approach routes. For day-trips, Pisa Tower Parking is €1.80 per hour and close to the main sights.

You do however need a car to explore the villages in the hills of Tuscany. Consider hiring from the airport and either picking up late or dropping back early there, and just use public transport for Pisa, Lucca and Florence.

By taxi

Taxis can be an expensive way to move around the city. They aren’t really needed in the center due to the size of Pisa, but if you are arriving at the airport and don’t want to walk they are a good option. If going to anywhere near the train station they would only be better than the Pisamover costwise if you are travelling in a group of 3 or more people.

The legal fares can be found on the CoTaPi website.

See
Pisa is divided into 4 historical quarters. There is much more than the leaning tower in the city and several different walking itineraries are available.

Piazza dei Miracoli
The Piazza dei Miracoli or Field of Miracles is to the North of central Pisa. It is an UNESCO World Heritage site and contains the city's most famous sights:
 * A walking tour along the city walls is one of the newest attractions in the city. It is an occasion to see the city, including the leaning tower and Campo dei Miracoli, from an unusual angle. They offer a great view over public and private buildings around the city, as well as many unexpected green areas. There are four entrances: one in Campo dei Miracoli, one next to a university campus near via Filippo Buonarroti, one in Piazza delle Gondole, and one in Piazza del Rosso, hidden behind a tiny gate. Bring water and sunscreen on sunny days, since there is not the tiniest bit of shadow along the whole tour. Open every day, 09:00-19:00 in the summer season. Tickets cost €3 (May 2019).
 * A walking tour along the city walls is one of the newest attractions in the city. It is an occasion to see the city, including the leaning tower and Campo dei Miracoli, from an unusual angle. They offer a great view over public and private buildings around the city, as well as many unexpected green areas. There are four entrances: one in Campo dei Miracoli, one next to a university campus near via Filippo Buonarroti, one in Piazza delle Gondole, and one in Piazza del Rosso, hidden behind a tiny gate. Bring water and sunscreen on sunny days, since there is not the tiniest bit of shadow along the whole tour. Open every day, 09:00-19:00 in the summer season. Tickets cost €3 (May 2019).
 * A walking tour along the city walls is one of the newest attractions in the city. It is an occasion to see the city, including the leaning tower and Campo dei Miracoli, from an unusual angle. They offer a great view over public and private buildings around the city, as well as many unexpected green areas. There are four entrances: one in Campo dei Miracoli, one next to a university campus near via Filippo Buonarroti, one in Piazza delle Gondole, and one in Piazza del Rosso, hidden behind a tiny gate. Bring water and sunscreen on sunny days, since there is not the tiniest bit of shadow along the whole tour. Open every day, 09:00-19:00 in the summer season. Tickets cost €3 (May 2019).
 * A walking tour along the city walls is one of the newest attractions in the city. It is an occasion to see the city, including the leaning tower and Campo dei Miracoli, from an unusual angle. They offer a great view over public and private buildings around the city, as well as many unexpected green areas. There are four entrances: one in Campo dei Miracoli, one next to a university campus near via Filippo Buonarroti, one in Piazza delle Gondole, and one in Piazza del Rosso, hidden behind a tiny gate. Bring water and sunscreen on sunny days, since there is not the tiniest bit of shadow along the whole tour. Open every day, 09:00-19:00 in the summer season. Tickets cost €3 (May 2019).
 * A walking tour along the city walls is one of the newest attractions in the city. It is an occasion to see the city, including the leaning tower and Campo dei Miracoli, from an unusual angle. They offer a great view over public and private buildings around the city, as well as many unexpected green areas. There are four entrances: one in Campo dei Miracoli, one next to a university campus near via Filippo Buonarroti, one in Piazza delle Gondole, and one in Piazza del Rosso, hidden behind a tiny gate. Bring water and sunscreen on sunny days, since there is not the tiniest bit of shadow along the whole tour. Open every day, 09:00-19:00 in the summer season. Tickets cost €3 (May 2019).
 * A walking tour along the city walls is one of the newest attractions in the city. It is an occasion to see the city, including the leaning tower and Campo dei Miracoli, from an unusual angle. They offer a great view over public and private buildings around the city, as well as many unexpected green areas. There are four entrances: one in Campo dei Miracoli, one next to a university campus near via Filippo Buonarroti, one in Piazza delle Gondole, and one in Piazza del Rosso, hidden behind a tiny gate. Bring water and sunscreen on sunny days, since there is not the tiniest bit of shadow along the whole tour. Open every day, 09:00-19:00 in the summer season. Tickets cost €3 (May 2019).
 * A walking tour along the city walls is one of the newest attractions in the city. It is an occasion to see the city, including the leaning tower and Campo dei Miracoli, from an unusual angle. They offer a great view over public and private buildings around the city, as well as many unexpected green areas. There are four entrances: one in Campo dei Miracoli, one next to a university campus near via Filippo Buonarroti, one in Piazza delle Gondole, and one in Piazza del Rosso, hidden behind a tiny gate. Bring water and sunscreen on sunny days, since there is not the tiniest bit of shadow along the whole tour. Open every day, 09:00-19:00 in the summer season. Tickets cost €3 (May 2019).

Piazza dei Cavalieri

 * Other historical buildings include the Church of San Rocco, the Rectory, Palazzo Carovana and Palazzo dei Dodici.
 * Other historical buildings include the Church of San Rocco, the Rectory, Palazzo Carovana and Palazzo dei Dodici.
 * Other historical buildings include the Church of San Rocco, the Rectory, Palazzo Carovana and Palazzo dei Dodici.
 * Other historical buildings include the Church of San Rocco, the Rectory, Palazzo Carovana and Palazzo dei Dodici.

Along the riverbank
Lungarno Mediceo and Lungarno Pacinotti on the Northern side of the Arno river, Lungarno Galilei and Lungarno Gambacorti on the south side: these riverside streets give a distinctive character to Pisa, especially at night when the lamplight reflects on the Arno river. Along the Lungarni stand interesting sights like:

Other parts of the city

 * Fine Romanesque churches, San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno, San Michele in Borgo, San Paolo with a sculpture gallery inside, Sant'Andrea - not all are open every day; double-check the hours if you want to visit.
 * Fine Romanesque churches, San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno, San Michele in Borgo, San Paolo with a sculpture gallery inside, Sant'Andrea - not all are open every day; double-check the hours if you want to visit.
 * Fine Romanesque churches, San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno, San Michele in Borgo, San Paolo with a sculpture gallery inside, Sant'Andrea - not all are open every day; double-check the hours if you want to visit.
 * Fine Romanesque churches, San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno, San Michele in Borgo, San Paolo with a sculpture gallery inside, Sant'Andrea - not all are open every day; double-check the hours if you want to visit.

Do

 * Take a photo of yourself holding, leaning against, or "anthropologically appropriating" the leaning tower of Pisa.
 * Take a stroll along the central shopping roads of the city, Corso Italia and Borgo Stretto, both pedestrian-only.
 * Enjoy an aperitivo (evening drink with a light dinner buffet) in one of the many bars and pubs that offer it, around Piazza Gambacorti, Piazza delle Vettovaglie o Via delle Case Dipinte.
 * Football: Pisa SC play soccer in Serie B, Italy's second tier. Their home ground is Arena Garibaldi (capacity 25,000) just north of the historic centre.

Events

 * On June 16th Pisa hosts the Luminara festival, held for the patron saint's day (San Ranieri). At sunset, all the lights along the Arno are dimmed and more than 10,000 candles are lit, which makes for some spectacular sights from the Ponte di Mezzo. Various activities are organized in the streets and the night ends with a big firework show.
 * Another summer attraction is the Gioco del Ponte (Game of the Bridge), a historical event held yearly on the last Sunday of June. The two sides of the city (Tramontana and Mezzogiorno, geographically split by the Arno river) participate in a historical parade, with 709 walk-ons, then challenge each other to a physical match in which their teams, each composed of 20 members, try to conquer the "Ponte di Mezzo" (the main bridge in Pisa) by pushing a trolley in order to force the rival team off the bridge. The parade is very colorful and can be enjoyed for free from anywhere along the river; on the other hand the Gioco itself is hard to see unless you get a ticket in advance to sit in the stands, and it is quite boring for outsiders, as some of the 7 'battles' can last more than 20 minutes. It is better to sit down at a bar and watch it from a TV screen.
 * On March 25, a smaller historical parade takes place, to celebrate the traditional Pisan new year.
 * Festival Internazionale di Musica Sacra - International Sacred Music Festival "Anima Mundi" takes place for two weeks in September of each year. This event, organized since 2001, is one of the most important of its kind, both at the national and international level.

Buy
The central shopping area is centered around the Corso Italia, between the railway station and the Ponte di Mezzo (the central bridge) and also in the Via Borgo Stretto, north of the bridge. However, many specialized shops are sprinkled around the city.

The area around the leaning tower is geared toward tourists: There are lots of small souvenir kiosks, stands and "flying merchants", selling all kinds of souvenirs from small statues to hourglasses - of course the general motif is the leaning tower.

It is illegal to buy from one of the "flying merchants" that sell fake replicas. They are very persuasive and if you buy anything you must haggle – they'll drop their prices significantly.

Every two weeks there is a street market with antique books, records and old household items.

And don't forget to try some of Pisa's famous biscotti (biscuits or cookies). Bakeries all through town will sell multiple varieties, for a low price.

For the budget option, if coming from the Airport, there is a Coop supermarket on the left, on Via Pasquale Pardi.

Eat

Pasta and pizza are among the tourists' favorites like everywhere in Italy, but Tuscan and Pisan cuisine has more to offer: several kinds of soups made with bread (for instance, pappa al pomodoro, or kale-based bordatino), meat dishes (chianina and mucco pisano are renowned beef breeds; game such as boar or hare can be found in various restaurants), and cold cuts. The traditional street food is cecina, a chickpea flour pancake, served inside focaccia with a sprinkle of pepper.

Traditional Tuscan bread is without salt (pane sciocco); this surprises most visitors.

As for alcoholic beverages, Tuscany is renowned for red wine (Chianti, Brunello, Morellino) but nowadays many establishments also offer a good selection of local craft beers.

If you have access to transport, an alternative to eating in Pisa is to take the relatively short drive to Marina di Pisa, the harbor of Pisa at the Mediterranean sea some from central Pisa. Just follow the SS224 road west on the south side of River Arno and you are there in 20 minutes. There are several restaurants by the seafront, and having your dinner here, outside and when the sun sets in the west, is a rewarding experience. Parking and tables may be out if you arrive late, so check the opening hours (many restaurants do not open until around 19:00) and be there early. Even better, spend an hour or two just walking along the beach before the restaurants open. Try Roca de Mar.

Restaurants
As a general rule, try not to eat directly at the Leaning Tower where prices are high and quality low. Walk 200 m south on the street Via Santa Maria. The restaurant Ristoro Pecorino and from there the restaurants southwards on Via Santa Maria are very good. Head further to the central area (5-10 minutes walking) and you can find more very good restaurants there. For example, there are excellent, friendly and reasonably priced cafeterias in the area of the busy small vegetable market, Piazza delle Vettovaglie. Also Via San Martino, close to the South bank of the river, offers some inexpensive places with good quality. (updated Sept 2022)

Around the Leaning Tower
The first three of the following restaurants are right next to each other:

Splurge

 * La Mescita, Via Cavalca, very close to Piazza delle Vettovaglie. An expensive but very good choice. They serve both traditional and more sophisticated food.
 * Osteria dei Cavalieri, Via San Frediano. close to Piazza dei Cavalieri. Quite expensive but very good. You can find typical and traditional recipes from Tuscany.
 * Ristorante La Buca, Excellent fish dishes. Good quality - price ratio.

Ice cream
Ice cream is not just a refreshing dessert on hot days, it's an art and a style of life. The ice-cream shops listed below all have their own style and philosophy on ice-cream. They use only seasonal ingredients. You'd be surprised on the variety of tastes and sensations. And the best: prices are stable around €2-2.50 for two scoops, independent of where you go.
 * Artisan Gelateria Rufus, Piazza Martiri della Libertà, 25. All ingredients are local and organic.
 * Artisan Gelateria Rufus, Piazza Martiri della Libertà, 25. All ingredients are local and organic.

Pasticceria

 * Dolce Notte Cornetteria Via S. Bernardo, 41. Not really a fine pasticceria, but the trendy spot to fill up your reserves when you're hopping from one bar to the other late at night. Their maxi-cornetto with up to 3 fillings of your choice will make you fit for dancing through the night.
 * Pasticceria Da Tripoli, Via Guglielmo Oberdan, 53 (at the end of Borgo Stretto to the left). Very traditional pasticceria with typical cookies and pasties. A local's favorite. Moderate prices. Closed on Mondays.
 * Pasticceria Cioccoroccolato, Via Buonarroti. A bit off the regular tourist route. French-inspired modern pasticceria with amazing creations, combining Italian classics and international sweets. Varying selection to surprise their loyal local customers, who visit them both for their morning coffee and a truly masterful elaborate signature coffee in the afternoon. Closed on Sundays.
 * Salza, in Borgo Stretto, high prices but good chocolate, sweets and pastries of all kinds. Don't sit down inside, though, because you will end up paying €10 for two coffees.

Drink
During summer nights, everybody stays around the banks of the rivers, sipping drinks bought from the several bars in the area. A few very good wine bars are also available for colder, winter nights.

 * Bar Mocambo, Via S. Bernardo, 29. Cozy cocktail bar with a vast selection of drinks. Outstanding signature cocktails. Serves more than 100 kinds of rum from all over the world, often paired with treats such as specialty chocolate. Ask the bartender to help you choose!
 * Vineria di Piazza, Piazza delle Vettovaglie. Serves great wine and very few dishes. You can find very traditional food here.
 * Vineria di Piazza, Piazza delle Vettovaglie. Serves great wine and very few dishes. You can find very traditional food here.
 * Vineria di Piazza, Piazza delle Vettovaglie. Serves great wine and very few dishes. You can find very traditional food here.

Nightlife
For nightlife, there aren't many clubs or live music places in Pisa: the usual night in Pisa is having a dinner of pizza or a cheap kebab, a beer in Borgo Stretto, Piazza delle Vettovaglie, Piazza Gambacorti or a pub in the surrounding areas, and a walk in Piazza Garibaldi, Piazza dei Cavalieri or the Lungarni, where the spallette (the low brick walls around the river) are full of students.

Some alternative clubs in the centre where you can find live music are:

 * Ex-Wide (jazz/swing)
 * Borderline (rock/metal; closed June to September, when they move to an alternative location on the seaside at Eliopoli/Calambrone).
 * Lumiere (dance/electronic)

Less alternative clubs are found at the seaside, about from Pisa, in Marina di Pisa and Tirrenia. For instance

 * Pappafico (a disco with house music and the like)
 * PIA (a disco/bar on the sea)
 * Sunset (mainly an aperitivo/happy hour/chill-out location on the sea)

Outside the city centre but reachable on foot, in the north-eastern outskirts of the city, is

 * Deposito Pontecorvo (a small disco)

Sleep
The Pisa hills were already a popular destination for enlightened travellers in the first half of the 1700s, due mostly to the popularity of the thermal spa of San Giuliano, which quickly became a fashionable spot for the upper classes. The mansions on the road along the hills, already renowned as places of idleness and relaxation in the heart of the countryside, soon assumed the characteristics of true leisure resorts, just like those narrated by Carlo Goldoni. Stay at Bagni di Pisa ('health-giving' waters are still offered to an international clientele) and then visit Pisa during one of the city’s festivals, staying at the Agostini Palace to enjoy the best view of the festivities. The Villa has hosted many illustrious guests such as Gustavus III of Sweden, Christian II of Denmark, the Royal Family of Great Britain, Benedict Stuart Cardinal of York, General Murat, Luigi Buonaparte, Paolina Borghese, Carlo Alberto of Savoy, the poets Byron and Shelley, and various other personages from the history books.

Stay safe
Pisa is a safe city. You do not need to worry about your safety (except in some zones at night, such as the area surrounding the station). However, you should take the obvious precautions (like, if you stay in a very cheap hotel, take your valuables with you) and watch out for pickpockets in the touristy areas.

As stated in the Buy section, avoid purchasing sunglasses, umbrellas, and other trinkets from illegal sellers. Definitely steer clear of counterfeit luxury goods. Upon arriving to Pisa, it is not uncommon for tourists to be swarmed by African vendors. Some vendors can be pushy or even downright aggressive. Even saying "no thank you" can bring unwanted attention. It's much better to ignore them entirely. Don't worry about being rude.

Even though cheap prices are tempting, especially when travelling on a budget, the Italian police have fined tourists for buying from illegal sellers. These fines can be very steep (up to €1,000). In front of the Tower, there are several legal vendors who have permits to sell items to tourists or anyone else. Be responsible and buy from them. Legal vendors have stalls lined along the main road whereas illegal vendors keep merchandise in a sack, cardboard boxes, or (in the case of fake purses) on their arms.

Connect
As of June 2022, Pisa has 4G from Iliad, Tim and Vodafone, and 5G from Wind Tre.

Go next

 * Lucca. You can travel by train to this beautiful nearby city.
 * Florence. Very easily reachable by train from Pisa Centrale.
 * Cinque Terre by train to La Spezia and Genova.
 * Volterra by bus.
 * Calci is very easily reachable by bus. A charming medieval village nestled in the Pisan Mountains. The baroque Charterhouse and the Museum of Natural History (home to the largest collection of whale bones in Europe) are among its attractions.

title: Pisa


text:
Pisa (province)

Pisa is a Province of the Tuscany Region of Italy.

Cities

 * — known for its Leaning Tower, Pisa also has a beautiful Duomo, and several others architectural wonders
 * — best known for its thermal spa
 * — known as the Cherries Town, and for the Vicari's Castle
 * — a cramped, picturesque ancient city strung along a high ridge with stunning views over the Tuscan countryside
 * — a beautiful walled city built on the top of a hill

Other destinations

 * —The Park of Migliarino, San Rossore and Massaciuccoli was established in 1975 and covers 24,000 hectares between Pisa, Viareggio, San Giuliano Terme, Vecchiano and Massarossa. What makes this park so special is what lies around its borders: the Tirrenian Sea, Lake Massaciuccoli and the rivers Arno, Serchio, Canale dei Navicelli and Morto e Burlamacca.

Understand
The northern area of the province is crossed by the modest anti-Apennine mountain range of Monte Pisano, adjacent to the extreme offshoot of the Apuan Alps, which separates the province of Pisa from that of Lucca.

The outlet to the sea, the Pisan coast, extends for about 15 km.

The Pisa area is flat, but, going down a few kilometres to the south, in the southern part of the province, you find yourself immersed in the most classic of Tuscan landscapes, made up of hills, woods and ancient villages.

By car

 * A11 Firenze-Mare: the terminal section of this highway joins the A12 in north Pisa.
 * A12 Genoa-Rome: follows the coastline and has three exits in the province: Pisa north, Pisa centre and Livorno.

By train
Important railway axes pass through the province:
 * the Genoa-Pisa line
 * the Pisa-Rome
 * the Pisa-Florence
 * Pisa -Lucca-Aulla
 * the Pisa-Collesalvetti-Vada

By plane
There is only one airport in the province of Pisa, the Pisa San Giusto International Airport.

See
In addition to the many sights in the city of Pisa (the Leaning Tower, the cathedral and the Carovana Palace), the province has many attractions in its other towns and villages. The historic city of Volterra is noted for its cathedral, its Etruscan and Roman remains and its museums, churches and palaces.

Set on the top of three hills, the medieval city of San Miniato has a cathedral, a fortress tower, two palaces and numerous old churches.

The province has many villages of interest, including Vicopisano with its fortress and towers, Calci with its Charterhouse (now a museum), and Buti with its castle and Medici villa.

Other points of interest include the Villa di Corliano in San Giuliano Terme, the gated medieval village of Castelfranco di Sotto, the towers of Montopoli in Val d'Arno, the bell-tower of Peccioli, and the Rocca Sillana fortress in Pomarance.

Do
Bathe at Casciana Terme, whose thermal plant receives a constant flow of lime-sulphur water at 37 °C. It offers wellness spa and medical spa services, Balneotherapy pools, and rehabilitation services.

Lari holds its Cherry Festival in the last week of May and first week of June.

The Truffle Festival in San Miniato is celebrated in the last three weeks of November.

title: Pisa (province)


text:
Pisac

Písac (or Pisaq in Quechua-spelling) is a small traditional town at eastern end of the Sacred Valley about 35 km from Cusco. While Pisac is best known for its Sunday market this is really secondary to the magnificent Inca ruins overlooking the town from high on a mountain ridge, both the extent of which and the spectacular vertiginous views it offers of the Sacred Valley many visitors arrive unprepared for. Compared with Machu Picchu visitors can wander anywhere they like and once clear of the tour bus visitors who cluster at the top entrance to the site find very few other people around.

While the hordes of tourists arriving on buses have obviously diminished the charm of this town, they haven’t fundamentally transformed it.

Pisac is 428 metres (1,400 ft) lower in attitude than Cusco, which make it an ideal first overnight stay after flying into the area from a lower attitude compared with staying in Cusco. From Pisac you can then travel on to explore the rest of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu before finishing your visit in Cusco.

History
The word Pisac comes from the Quechua word 'pisaq' or 'p'isaqa', meaning partridge, a species of bird that lives in this area of Peru.

According to Inca legend it is said that the king Huayllapuma had a daughter, called Inquill, who had to marry the man who could build, in just one day, a bridge over the Vilcanota river. Despite the hard work, Asto Rimac - a handsome prince and the secret lover of the princess - decided to accept the challenge. When Asto Rimac was about to begin such a difficult task, Inquill asked the Apus (spirits of the mountains) to help him. The spirits agreed to help him with the only condition that she did not look at the work until it was finished. Just before the bridge was finished, the princess began to hear loud roars and gave in to her curiosity to see what was happening and turned to observe; At that moment the Vilcanota river swallowed her beloved, and she was turned into stone, standing with her eyes lost in the valley of Pisac.

The remains of Lucre and Killke pottery that have been found in the area, suggesting that the location has been occupied for some time.

The Inca’s constructed a massive complex now known as Inca Pisac on the ridge in the 15th century. These are now located within the Pisac Archeological Park.

The modern town of Písac was built on the valley floor by the Spanish during the 1570s.

Orientation
The town is located in the district of Pisac, province of Calca at the southern end of the Sacred Valley at an attitude of 2,972 m (9,751 ft), 32 km (20 miles) northeast of Cusco. The town straddles the Vilcanota River with most of the settlement on its right bank, where it is laid out in a grid pattern, centred around the Plaza Constitución (formerly the Plaza de Almas).

Climate
Pisac, like the rest of the Sacred Valley has two seasons: dry (April to October) and rainy (November to March). In the dry season, days are often sunny, but temperatures drop once the sun goes down and early mornings can be quite chilly. In the rainy season (of which February is the worst), cloud covered skies are the norm, while the rainfall ranges from light showers to heavy downpours, but the night temperatures are slightly warmer. It’s best to carry an umbrella or poncho since the rains are unpredictable. During the rainy season the paths around the Pisac Archaeological Park can be slippery. There are sometimes landslides, which as well as posing a risk of injury can close paths, preventing access to some areas of the park.

That said Pisac is temperate most of the year with the temperature in the town varying from 2ºC. to 21ºC.

Tourism information office
There is a small tourist information office at 519 Plaza Constitution. (Ph. 084 203-026, 203-014). They can supply a useful map of the principal sights within the Pisac Archeological Park.

By air
The closest airport is in Cusco.

By bus
Buses drop-off and pick up passengers in Pisac on Avenida Amazonas near the bridge and also near its junction with Calle Espinar. Buses tend to be old and noisy and are usually crammed with people. There is often a large queue of people particularly in afternoons and early evenings. Buses generally run from 5am to 8pm.

From Cusco there are buses leaving every 20 minutes from Av. Tullumayo 207 (S/3.50 as of 2017). Also you can catch any bus, passing by Circunvalación.

From Pisac, buses return to Cusco and depart for other parts of the valley - Yucay, Urubamba (30 minutes, S/2.50), and Ollantaytambo (one hour) from the same spot. The last bus from Pisac leaves at 7pm.

The bus tends to take longer and there has been frequent accidents over the past few years with old badly maintained buses and poor drivers.

From Cusco there are frequent buses leaving at Av. Tullumayo 207. The buses drive quickly enough, but they take a long time because they wait around in Cusco for a while picking up passengers.

By colectivo
Colectivos (also known as Combis) are generally safer, quicker and more comfortable. There is no schedule, as they leave when full. The colectivos operate from around 5am until about 7pm.

Colectivos passing through Pisac drop-off and pick up passengers either at the bridge or on Avenida Amazonas at its junction with Calle Espinar (from where it is a 5 to 10 minute walk uphill to the Plaza Constitución). In Cusco colectivos (S/5) to Pisac depart from the top of Calle Puputi about every 15 minutes, with the journey taking 45 to 60 minutes. There is another colectivo service across the road that goes to Calca and which can also drop you off in Pisac but it costs slightly more at S/6. A colectivo between Pisac and Urubamba costs S/4 and takes one hour. Occasionally there may be a colectivo running direct between Pisac and Ollantaytambo, but typically you have to change in Urubamba. A colectivo between Urubamba and Ollantaytambo costs S/2 to S/2.50 and takes about 25 to 30 minutes.

By taxi
An advantage of a taxi is that you can stop to take photos and admire the lookouts. If you pick up a taxi on the street, make sure it’s a licensed taxi. If you are visiting from Cusco on a day trip then have the taxi take you all the way up to the upper entrance to the Pisac Archaeological Park, then walk through the ruins back down to the town, from where after exploring the market and town you can take a colectivo or taxi back to Cusco.

Expect a taxi between Cusco and Pisac to take 45 minutes and costs S/50 to 60. It is often possible to go by private car for as little as S/10 per person between Cusco and Pisac. Private cars congregate near the bus terminal in Cusco and near the taxi cooperative office in Pisac. They leave when they have three or four passengers with everyone paying the same fare.

Expect a taxi between Pisac and Urubamba (45 minutes, 39.8 km) to cost S/50 and between Pisac and Ollantaytambo (1 hour 17 minutes, 58.6 km) to cost S/80.

By tour
There are plenty of travel companies in Cusco offering a trip to both the archaeological park and market at Pisac, but because the town is so close, the itinerary usually combines other sights in the Sacred Valley as well. Note however that your time at the park will be limited to visiting only the busy top section of the site.

Get around
The town is small enough for walking.

Even in the less touristy parts of town, such as the main drag down by the river, you will generally find taxi drivers trolling for fares. If you don’t come across one on the street then go to the taxi cooperative office which is located just in front of the bridge on Avenida Amazonas. There will be some taxis parked outside.

Taxis charge S/25 for a one-way ride up to the archaeological park. Mototaxis offer short trips around town.

See

The new river-side promenade, which is unspoiled, fairly pleasant and uncrowded, is also worth a visit.

Pisac Archeological Park
With agricultural, military and urban areas, the largest known Inca cemetery, numerous huge terraces, baths, complex irrigation systems, cliff-hugging storage buildings, defensive walls, guarded gates and a stunning religious and ceremonial area with some of the finest Inca brick work and the only surviving Intihuanta (other than the one at Machu Picchu), this massive complex which covers a much bigger area than Machu Picchu is an excellent opportunity to see superb examples of the Inca obsession with building on high ridges and peaks.

Today the consensus is that Pisac was a royal estate built no earlier than 1440 by Pachacuti (1438–1471/1472) the ninth Inca ruler as a multi-purpose residence, citadel, observatory and religious site and may have also served as a refuge in times of siege.

Since 1983 the complex has been part of the 9,063 hectare Pisac Archeological Park.

Layout
Stretching about approximately kilometre along a mountain ridge between the Kitamayu River (to the west) and the Chongo River (to the east) at varying elevations between 3,446 m and 3,514 metres above sea level the upper parts of the complex cover 24 hectares.

The first part of the complex reached by visitors coming by motor vehicle is Qanchus Racay in the northeastern corner of the complex. From its position overlooking the road toward the Paucartambo region and the Antisuyo this district probably served as the home of the military garrison or as a shelter for local villagers in times of war. From Qanchus Racay one turns to the right and the path heads west above the first of the numerous andenes (terraces) that cover the across the slope, to an area which is home to a bath complex. Towards the west, on the irregular almost vertical mountain slope is the T’antana Marka, which is home to the looted tombs of the biggest pre-Hispanic cemetery in the region. Southwards climbing up the side of the hill is Qallaq’asa, a residential district which contains homes and storehouses. From this point onwards there are very few tourists. From here there are three possible routes for further exploration. From the Intiwatana district visitors have the choice of taking a path beginning at its southeast corner down to the P'isaqa district that has a somewhat semicircular shape following the mountain's silhouette. The third and finest residential district, complete with its own ritual bath the P'isaqa district is believed to have been homes for the elite. From here you can head back to the main entrance and take a taxi back down to the valley floor or with the mountain to your right, traverse around the outside of the mountain to join with a path that originated at the Intiwatana district. This path from the Intiwatana district runs along the top of the ridge to a view point which looks out over the three converging valleys that surround Pisac and then on (largely unmarked) to a large rocky outcrop where watch towers (pucaras) in the Coriwayrachina district and storehouses (qullqas) in the Hospitalniyoc district cling to the sheer mountainside. The path then descends through an area of steep terracing that reaches as far as the edge of precipices to merge with the path from P'isaqa. From this junction the path crosses over the ridge crest and descends though more agricultural terraces which literally plummet down the sides of the narrow valley of the Kitamayu River. The path eventually connects with a wide stone path that takes visitors on a gentle descent all the way back to the town. From the P'isaqa district there is also a path that descends partly down the hillside to the Kanchis Racay district, which consists of only a couple of structures.
 * Option one requires continuing along a path along the western side of the ridge above the Kitamayu River to the Tianayoc from which via a 3-metre long tunnel you can reach the Inca Qonqorina, which is an administration district and below it the ceremonial-religious district whose main feature is the Intiwatana (also known as the Intihuatana), an altar used to determine the seasons.
 * The second option requires dropping down the eastern slope to the base of the Qallaq’asa and continuing southwards across the hillside and through a trapezoidal doorway called Amaru Punku in a partial wall and then a 16-metre long tunnel hollowed from the rock to connect with the path leading from the Tianayoc to the Intiwatana district.
 * The third option is to descend further down the southern side of the large terrace and follow a path passing through a doorway with no lintel around the eastern side hillside southwards to where the path branches either up to the Intiwatana district or straight to the P'isaqa district.

Access
There are three options to get to the Pisac Archeological Park:

 * By a steep four km ascent up from the town, via a path that begins to the left of the Iglesia San Pedro Apóstolo in the Plaza Constitución. The path bends to the right through agricultural terraces and then forks. The left-hand branch offers a longer gentler ascent along the Kitamayo River to the Antachaka district at the northern end of the ruins. This route is often overgrown and poorly defined. The right-hand path crosses the river and climbs steeply through andene (terraces) up to the Atalaya towers (watchtowers) top of the ridge. Allow two hours for the climb to the main part of the site. Because of the height of the ruins it is prudent to have acclimatized before attempting the climb up.

 * By taking a taxi up a winding eight kilometre long sealed road to the entrance at Paradero Alto, which is north of the Qantus Raccay urban district. A taxi can be hailed from anywhere in the town, but most taxis are usually found outside the taxi cooperative office. The price for a one-way taxi ride from centre of Pisac of Pisac is S/25. It is not recommended to take a mototaxi (the tuk tuk style ones) as they can be unstable on the steep windy road. The scenic drive up the mountain to the control point takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Note that the ticket office is 200 m before the entrance. Your driver will normally stop and allow you to buy a ticket at the ticket office before continuing on to drop you at the control point, which is at the entrance.

 * A budget option is to take a colectivo from Pisac market in the direction of the village of Maska, getting off approximately 15 minutes later at the turn-off (desvio) to the top entrance of the archeological park and from there walk five minutes up hill to the Paradero Alto entrance.

Once at the top entrance you can then either:
 * Explore the ruins and backtrack to the Paradero Alto entrance to return by taxi, or

 * Hike from this point through the ruins the four km back down to Pisac. Allow 1½ hours to walk down plus 1½ to 2 hours to explore the site. The walk down is suitable for just about anyone who has good mobility and doesn't suffer from vertigo. Tell your driver you will be walking down.

Tips
There are no map boards within the park and only a limited number of signposts, therefore bring the free map from the tourist information office in the town. If you are unsure of which way to go, remember that the mountain must stay more or less on your righthand side as you walk down. If you do this you can’t go wrong.

Food, drinks and souvenirs can be bought from stalls at the entrance to the site.

Bring plenty of water with you. Water is not sold within the site.

Regular trainers (sneakers) are perfectly suitable for this trek.

Make sure you take sun protection! The site is at high attitude and quite exposed, so you will get burnt!

Walking sticks are still permitted, so take them if you need them.

Details
The park is open daily from 7:00 to 18:00. Admission is by Boleto Turístico. If you haven't purchased it already it can be purchased at the ticket office just before the entrance to the upper entrance to the site or from the control point/ticket office at the town entrance. It needs to be purchased using Peruvian Soles. US dollars and bank cards are not accepted. You also need to show your passport.

Mercado de Artesania (Pisac Market)
Pisac’s market is by far the biggest and most touristy in the region.

Official market days are Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, when tourist buses descend on the town in droves, but it has taken over Pisac to such an extent that it fills the Plaza Constitución and surrounding streets every day; visit on Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Saturday if you want to avoid the worst of the crowds. The market is at its biggest on Sunday when indigenous Quechua communities from the surrounding area come to town to sell their produce (much of which are completely organic) and stock up on supplies for the week. In the square, many bakers and chefs make treats and walk around selling their specialties. There is also an abundance of chocla, an Andean large corn specialty, available for sale on the outskirts of the market. The handcraft sellers set up shop about 9:00 and winds down by about 17:00. On Sundays the farmer's normally ends by 15:00 so that the villagers can be home before dark.

A large section of the market is dedicated to tourist-oriented souvenir stalls. It’s cheaper in the centre of the market- the people on the edges typically charge the most. Bargaining is expected, they will tell you a price much higher than they are willing to accept. Many think in numbers and don’t speak English well enough to barter or even if you speak Spanish, many want written or calculated numbers to confirm that you are all on the same page.

Some of the vendors at the market don’t like having their photo taken. Always ask first and a good rule of thumb is to pay S/1 per person in the photo you take.

On days other than Sundays, the fruit and vegetable market is held at the rather characterless municipal market two blocks from the main square on San Francisco Street and is worth a visit if you have 20 minutes to spare.

Other attractions

Shamanic experiences
In the 2010s, Pisac became popular with people looking for alternative medicine solutions. Among the things on offer are, Andean coca readings, aromatherapy massage, astrological counselling, shamanic plant medicine treatments and retreats with ayahuasca, huachuma, kambô and rapé mixed with a yoga and juice fasting.

Providers of these ceremonies are not regulated by the government, so it is each participant's responsibility to do his or her homework to ensure they're dealing with bona fide operators.

Events

 * The Virgen del Carmen festival is in July, and includes colorful costumed dancers and a parade. There are few foreign tourists, and it's definitely worth a day trip via bus from Cusco if you like a little culture and history. As usual, beware of skilled pick-pockets.
 * El Santuario animal de Cochahuasi (The Animal Sanctuary of Cochahuasi). It's a project of rescue animal center. People can see endangered species of animals like condors, pumas, bears. Also there are some animals from jungle and andes areas in Peru. It's in km 22 in the road from Cusco to Pisac, 1½ km before Pisac. email: [Mailto:info@santuariocochahuasi.com|info@santuariocochahuasi.com].

Buy
In the streets surrounding the main plaza, there are a number of small shops selling local handcrafts including Alpaca goods, artwork, crystals, silver jewellery combined with gemstone, rugs, and knick-knackery of all kinds etc.

Market
Although very small, it is worth putting several hours to a whole Sunday aside for the Pisac market. People come down from the highlands with their products, including very fresh food, raw materials, tomatoes, rice, potatoes. It is worth sitting down with the locals for a lunch eating just that, along with trout clearly just pulled from the river. It costs about S/5, but is a meal to remember.

The main plaza is filled to overflowing with a hundred or more stalls selling the same forgettable tourist junk available all over Peru, with more stalls spilling over onto the surrounding streets and the area in front of the church. Prices for tourists may be significantly higher than for locals, with prices for items like bottled water marked up 50 percent or more from what is charged in Cusco.

Eat
The streets near the main plaza are lined with overpriced restaurants serving mediocre fare. Restaurants may double their prices for tourists.

The town gets a bit busy on the main market days (Tuesday, Thursday, and Sundays), which means that you might have to wait for a table.

For a snack or lunch on the run, check out the excellent ‘’hornos coloniales’’ (colonial bakeries), which use traditional, wood-fired ovens.

In the back left-hand corner of the Pisac Mercado (market), there are a number of food stands where you can sit down with the locals and enjoy a locally prepared plate of Peruvian vegetarian food. For S/5 they serve a soup and a plate of four to five traditional dishes.

Cafes and restaurants

Drink
Pisac does not abound in nightlife options. The only place to get a drink is Sapo's Lounge on Calle Espinar. They also do the best pizza in town.

Sleep

Stay safe
Pisac is a very safe town, but you should be careful when walking around the crowded market. It is also prudent due its isolation to ensure that you are clear of the Inca ruins before nightfall to avoid making yourself a target.

Health
Due to its attitude there is a heightened risk of attitude sickness as the town are at 2,972 m and the ruins at around 3,500 m. If you have just arrived in the area from a lower attitude then you need to acclimatize before undertaking any strenuous exercise. At this attitude the sun can be very unforgiving even on cloudy days so wear suitable sun cream. If visiting the Inca ruins then take plenty of water.

The Centro de Salud Clas Pisac medical centre on Avenida Amazonas is open 24 hours.

Any major emergencies or patients who require surgical care are sent by ambulance to Cusco, usually to the Hospital Antonio Lorena.

There is a pharmacy above the Plaza Constitución near the public parking area and another on Calle Bolognesi. Both are generally open daily from 8am to 9pm with a midday closing for lunch.

Internet
Most guesthouses have free Wi-Fi.

Internet is available at several locations around the Plaza Constitución. They are generally open daily from 9am to 10pm

Post
There's a post office on the corner of Comercio and Intihuatana. There is a mail box inside the Restaurant Samana Wasi on the Plaza Constitución. The restaurant also sell stamps.

Telephone
The area code for Pisac is 084. +51 84 XXXXXX for international callers.

There are public telephone booths at Sofia Market on Calle Bolognesi and near the municipality on Plaza Constitución.

Laundry
There is a lavanderia (laundry) on Avenida Amazonas. Otherwise ask at your accommodation.

Money
There is ATM on the main square inside the Blue Llama restaurant. It is wise to bring some extra cash with you just in case the ATM runs out of money, as is known to happen, (especially if coming on Sunday to the crowded market). There is a moneychanger on the main square near the church.

Go next
On the way to Ollantaytambo from Pisac or as a day excursion, visit Moray, the agricultural laboratory of the Incas.

title: Pisac


text:
Pisciotta

Pisciotta is a town in the province of Salerno in the region Campania of Italy. It dates from the Middle Ages and is organised as a medieval village on the hill.

The village of Pisciotta, a thousand windows on the emerald sea, nestled atop a hill, surrounded by ancient olive trees, one of the prettiest villages in the Mediterranean. Not involved in the building development of mass tourism, the town is a sober and austere beauty, its houses, streets, folklore, ancient history speak of their medieval village. The hospitality of its inhabitants, religious festivals, restaurants, bars in the square.

Get in
The nearest international airport is in Naples. At the train station in Pisciotta trains arrive from Naples Diara.

See

 * Beautiful beaches Pisciotta beaches are all blue flag of the nicest and cleanest in Europe.

Learn

 * Bravo Italian Scuola offers Italian language courses with excursions and accommodation

Eat
Pisciotta is a town full of culinary life. Eat the best pizza, the best pastas. Enjoy the spectacular seafood dishes.

 * Osteria del Borgo seafood, pastas, pizzas, all handmade with a unique flavour.
 * Pizzeria 3 guifi Pizzeria and Pasta

title: Pisciotta


text:
Pisco

Pisco is a medium sized town on the Southern Coast of Peru just south of Lima. This fisher town itself has little to offer to tourists and is best used only as a starting point for a trip to the Ballestas Islands and possibly the nearby salt desert and national reserve, Paracas.

By bus
Most of the buses on the Pan-american Highway from Lima to Ica, Nazca, Arequipa etc. won't leave this road, dropping you of at the junction about 4 miles outside town, from where you can pick up a local bus or taxi.

Some buses from Lima (3-4 hr) do go in to town and there are local buses to Ica.

By taxi
You may be able to negotiate a taxi to take you from Lima to Pisco for around S/.200. This can be a lot more comfortable especially if you are going to arrive in the dark.

Do

 * Paracas reserve and the ballestas islands.
 * Take a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands to see the sea lions and hillside Candelabra.
 * You can usually add a tour of the Paracas national reserve for a small extra price over the Ballestas trip. The reserve has an information center, a small fishing village and some rather dramatical sea-shore cliffs. It will not be the highlight of your trip, but it may be worth the trouble and the money.

Drink
You should try Pisco, which is the national drink of Peru, and as the name implies, was first made in this city. Pisco sour is an excellent Peruvians invention too. You might be able to try it somewhere else (Chile) but it will probably not be as good.

Sleep

 * Hostal San Isidro. Kitchen use, free games (ping pong, pool, fooseball), a pool (which had no water when we were there), clean, nice people. S/.46 for a room with a double bed (shared bathroom).

Stay safe
The "tourist safe" area seems to be the 2-block radius around the Plaza de Armas. Paracas seems safe as well.

Numerous locals warned us about watching our bags, and even just walking in the market area and beach. Tuk tuks are recommended for safe, cheap travel through the sketchier parts of town.

By Bus
A few buses a day go to Ayacucho in the Andes, passing the Inca ruins at Tambo Colorado 2 hours away. To get one of these buses you have to catch a taxi (10-12 Soles) up to San Clemente, a scruffy junction of a town; watch your bags. Two bus companies go to Ayacucho, but Molina is recommended over the other. It provides night service, with buses leaving at 23:30, midnight and 00:30. The trip takes 7 hours. For semi-cama service, S/.40.

title: Pisco


text:
Pisco Elqui

Pisco Elqui is a town in Valle de Elqui, northern Chile. It is one of the main tourist destinations in the Elqui Valley, and its history is closely linked to the origin and production of Chilean pisco, a brandy.

Understand

The town is famous for its most important export product to the rest of Chile, Pisco. Pisco is a fruit schnaps made of grapes matured in wooden barrels, giving it a Whisky-like taste while maintaining the fruit scent.

Pisco is often consumed with Coke and ice, or with lemon as Pisco Sour, even though the local family factories do not support the mixture of Pisco for the purpose of consumption.

By bus
From La Serena buses go at least hourly from the provincial bus station northwest of the Japanese Garden or less frequently from the Terminal de Buses, passing by Vicuña on the way—about 2½-hr duration and 5,500 pesos (updated October 2022). There are more frequent departures on Sundays and during holidays.

From Vicuña, the buses leave for Pisco Elqui at 07:00, 07:25, 09:00, 10:25, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30, 17:00, 17:30, 18:00 and 19:15, costing 3,000 pesos (updated October 2022).

The last colectivos back to La Serena are at around 20:30 from Pisco Elqui and 21:00 from Vicuña. Furthermore, there are also at least two Turbus buses from Vicuña after that, the last one at 22:45, but please re-check.

The bus from Alcoguaz leaves at about 06:45 (re-check days and departure time). There is a return bus at 18:25.

The bus from Horcón leaves at 14:30 (from a blue roofed bus shelter).

By car
From La Serena you should take Route 41 to the east. 12 kilometers after the city of Vicuña, take the route that goes through the Elqui Valley to the right. After the towns of Paihuano and Montegrande, you arrive at Pisco Elqui. The route has one track in each direction the entire way, and it is completely paved.

Get around
Everything can be reach on foot.

See

 * Near the town is the "Solar de Pisco Elqui", the oldest distillery in the Elqui Valley.
 * A few kilometers away is the Town of Artisans of Horcón where there are beautiful craft stalls.
 * A few kilometers away is the Town of Artisans of Horcón where there are beautiful craft stalls.

Do

 * You can hike some of the hills surrounding the village. Inquire at the tourist information in town.
 * Turismo Migrantes is a certified tour operator, offering different kinds of outdoor activities (like observatory) in the Elqui Valley. Besides, you can join trips to the mountain range of the Andes.

Drink

 * Grab yourself a bottle of Pisco, some ice and go ahead. The park in centre of town has a beautiful lawn and church in front of it. Enjoy the view and sun.

Sleep
There are some camping places, hostels and regular hotels in town and the surrounding area. It should not be hard to find something fitting.

Check out the ones that are further from other settlements, so you can enjoy the sky at night.

Go next

 * Hike into the Santuario de La Naturaleza Estero Derecho National Park and further.

title: Pisco Elqui


text:
Pisew Falls Provincial Park

Pisew Falls Provincial Park is North of 53 in Manitoba, approximately midway between the small community of Wabowden and the much larger industrial and service centre of Thompson, Manitoba.

Landscape
Its creation is due to the intensive geological activity in the area hundreds of thousands of years ago, when violent tectonic effects caused the creation of first a fault, and then an upheaval of the southern side of the fault-line.

History
The name "Pisew" is translated from the local Cree language meaning "lynx", and the sound of the hissing water bearing a resemblance to the sound of this wild, northern feline.

Flora and fauna
Because of the continuous flow of water over the falls, the localized area has developed its own micro-climate. A wide variety of mosses, lichens, and fungi can be found in the immediate area around the base of the falls. There are also a variety of ferns whose origins date back to before the last Ice Age. The dominant winter feature downstream and to the right of the falls is the ice that builds up on top of a small island there. This island only rises a few feet above the downstream water level in Summer, but by late-February, the accumulation of ice builds to approximately 3-5 metres thick with the months-long accumulation of freezing spray.

At the periphery of this barrier between liquid water and frozen surroundings, lies a thin ridge of plant growth that continues to survive throughout the harshest of the -45 °C days in this frigid northern wilderness, while normally, the process of photosynthesis ceases in the surrounding area.

It is common to see one or more of the local otters using the large ice buildup as a "slide", providing the otters and lucky spectators with hours of amusement.

Get in
Pisew Falls is approximately 700 km north of Winnipeg, 0.5 km off Manitoba Provincial Highway 6, near Kwasitchewan Falls, the site of the highest-elevation, naturally-occurring, year-round waterfall in Manitoba.

Fees and permits
Vehicle permits for Manitoba Provincial Parks for 2020:

 * Explorer Pass (annual) - $44.50 (valid until April 30, 2021)
 * Casual - $16.50 (valid for 3 consecutive days from the date of purchase)
 * Daily - $9.50 (valid until midnight on the date of purchase)

Get around
The park is quite small, and not intended for the use of recreational vehicles. There is a well-maintained boardwalk surrounding the west side of the falls, and a broad path which leads to the rapids downstream as well as a suspension bridge which crosses the Grass River.

See

 * Pisew Falls — a short walk from the parking lot with stairs
 * Suspension bridge — a 500-m walk along a boardwalk from the parking lot

Do

 * Canoe and kayak - You can easily launch a canoe or kayak downstream from the falls. You must portage your canoe or kayak down the trail to the river past the rapids below the falls.
 * Boat - It is possible to launch a small 4-4½ m motorboat (12 to 14 ft), but the place to launch it is a little tough to find. About 100 m north of the Pisew Falls access road is an area where the Provincial Highways Department stores gravel and occasionally prepares pavement for highway maintenance. you will find at the north end of this area, an overgrown road that leads to the former pump-house for the long-since dismantled Soab Lake Mine.

Kwasitchewan Falls

It is only recommended that experienced backpackers make the attempt.

Kwasitchewan Falls can also be accessed by canoe, kayak, or small boat, with a 1½-km portage. Portaging a watercraft small enough to carry allows access to Phillips Lake. Larger, motorized boats (over 14 ft) are generally not recommended because of the lack of adequate boat launching facilities.

Buy
There are no shops, stores, or vending machines at the park. There isn't even a park office. If you might need it, bring it with you.

Eat
The Falls are a lovely picnic area, and a great place to stop for lunch if travelling further north, or south, after exploring further into northern Manitoba.

Sleep
There are no accommodations available at Pisew Falls.

Camping
Camping is not permitted at the Pisew Falls. There are no shower facilities, no electrical services, and the only toilet facilities are of the outhouse variety.

There is a campground 10 km south at Sasagiu Rapids.

There are amazing campsites next to the Kwasitchewan Falls, but it may be difficult to sleep. 6 primitive sites are scattered above the falls; a further 6 scattered right by the falls. The campsites upstream may be more quiet, but the scenery is rather boring.

Respect
Officers of Manitoba Conservation ask only that visitors keep the area clean, and stay well away from the areas below the falls, which are clearly marked as Environmentally Sensitive. As long as everyone co-operates in this respect, this remarkable piece of geography will be here for many generations to come.

Rarely is it necessary to destroy wild animals when they encounter humans. They usually have little interest in people, and are much more interested in the food they carry.

Stay safe

As beautiful and picturesque as this location may seem, there are dangers. There are a number of Black Bears who reside in this area, in addition to wolves, and quite possibly cougars which have been spotted as far north as Thompson, Manitoba. Warnings about wildlife bear repeating.

Several wasp nests on the trail to Kwasitchewan Falls. Bears and lynx may be in area.

Caution must be exercised to avoid confrontations with wildlife, especially bears. As a general rule, it is their home year-round, and you are a guest in it. For safety sake:

 * Do not store any food in your tent.
 * Bring plenty of rope to hang all your food in trees away from camp.
 * Bring a good First Aid Kit, and know how to use it.
 * Do not bring firearms unless you are licensed and skilled in their use.
 * Bring a good insect repellent with a high concentration of DEET.
 * Bring drinking water or water purification treatments.
 * Bring toilet paper.
 * Do not expect electricity, or any running water apart from that which passes your tent.

Additionally, because of the relatively high humidity present year-round, there is plenty of fresh, wet, greenery to slip on in the summer, and slick ice in the Winter. Do not stray far off of the clearly marked path.

There has been one fatality at the falls, and a Memorial Trail-Marker is there to attest to that fact. The ledges are steep, the fall is long, and the current below is swift. Exercise caution at all times.

There is an abundance of mosquitoes. Bring DEET-based repellants.

Go next
Pisew Falls is the trail-head of a 22-km hiking trail to Kwasitchewan Falls. Phillips Lake drains over Kwastichewan where it carries on to join the Grass River downstream of Pisew Falls.

title: Pisew Falls Provincial Park


text:
Pishin

Pishin is a small town in Pishin District of the Balochistan region of Pakistan.

Get in
Some 50 km from Quetta is the valley of Pishin with its numerous fruit orchards, which are irrigated by "Karez", a kind of artificial spring made by boring holes into rocks to bring to the surface the subterranean water. Sixteen kilometers from Pishin is the man-made lake Bund Khushdil Khan. Its cool gentle waters attract many visitors for duck shooting in early winter.

Eat
Pishin rest house is the famous restaurant in the city. Beside this pishin has some good Restaurants as well as like Ajwa hotel Sharja Hotel red Apple hotel albaik hotel and Almaida hotel near to District pishin Balochistan

Drink
A very good tubewells are situated in pishin but here are also some good drink shop as like Kabuli ice cream shop and floura juice.

title: Pishin


text:
Pismo Beach

Pismo Beach (population 8,000 in 2020) is in San Luis Obispo County in the Central Coast region of California. It is part of the Five Cities Metropolitan Area which also includes Shell Beach (within the northern part of the Pismo Beach city limits), and Grover Beach, Oceano and Arroyo Grande, all to the south and south-east of Pismo Beach.

By car
Pismo Beach is off Highway 101 south of San Luis Obispo.

By train
The nearest train station is a quarter mile (400 m) away in Grover Beach, served by Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner between San Luis Obispo and San Diego. South County Transit's bus #21 can be used to reach downtown Pismo.

San Luis Obispo also has an Amtrak station, served by the Surfliner as well as the Coast Starlight between Seattle and Los Angeles. Taking public transportation from there is more difficult, so Uber is recommended.

By plane
The closest commercial airports are San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria. SLO's airport has service to several western U.S. hubs. Santa Barbara Airport is 80 miles (130 km) south, with more departures than SLO. The nearest major international airport is Los Angeles International Airport, about 175 miles southeast of Pismo Beach. To reach Pismo, take the Central Coast Shuttle to Santa Maria, then Uber. Alternatively, take the Flyaway Bus and then Amtrak to Grover Beach.

A small general aviation airport exists in Oceano.

By bus
San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority provides bus service on Route 10 along Highway 101 between San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach, Arroyo Grande, Nipomo, and Santa Maria.

Flixbus stops in San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria.

Orange Belt Stages provides service between Santa Maria, Paso Robles, and Visalia/Hanford in the Central Valley. Transfer from Amtrak in Hanford or Greyhound in Visalia.

Greyhound stops in Santa Maria.

By car
Car travel is fairly easy, but parking can be challenging on weekends and in summer.

By bus
SLO RTA provides service within the city on Route 21 and 24, which generally run in opposite directions.

By trolley
A free beach trolley runs between hourly between Port San Luis, Avila Beach, Shell Beach and the Pismo Beach Outlets on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, April to October.

Buy

 * Pismo Beach Premium Outlets Major shopping center.

Sleep

 * Dolphin Bay Inn
 * The Cliffs
 * Dolphin Bay Inn
 * The Cliffs
 * The Cliffs
 * The Cliffs
 * The Cliffs
 * The Cliffs
 * The Cliffs
 * The Cliffs
 * The Cliffs
 * The Cliffs

Go next

 * Grover Beach, Oceano and Arroyo Grande to the south and south-east
 * Avila Beach - Avila Beach is a small coastal community located seven miles northwest of Pismo Beach that offers a number of quaint inns, spas and resorts. Point San Luis, accessible via a scenic docent-led hike or by trolley, is home to a lighthouse that dates back to 1890 and is the only surviving Prairie Victorian on the West Coast. Visitors looking for relaxation can soak in nearby mineral hot springs or lounge on the sandy beach that gives the town its name.
 * San Luis Obispo - 13 miles (20 km) north of Pismo Beach and almost exactly half way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, this small college town and its neighboring communities boast extraordinary resources for hiking, mountain biking, sea kayaking, swimming and surfing, outstanding natural beauty, a carefully preserved and thriving 19th-century downtown centered around a meticulously restored 18th-century mission, a small but thriving art gallery scene, and a large and growing collection of top-quality wineries.

title: Pismo Beach


text:
Pistoia

Pistoia is in the Tuscany region of Italy, halfway between Florence and Lucca, about 40 km away from each, with a population of about 100k that gives it a city feel, but it is tightly constructed and easy to get around and through by foot, however the city is rarely visited by tourists. The strategic location of the city makes it easy to visit all of Tuscany.

By train
The main East - West train stops here.

See
Although it's not a busy tourist destination, there are many things to see in Pistoia. The city center is rich of ancient streets, squares and churches dating back to the medieval period.

View the following points of interest, all of which can be seen on foot (the historic center is closed to motorized traffic):

 * 1) Cathedral of San Zeno (and bell tower)
 * 2) Baptistery
 * 3) Ospedale del Ceppo and Pistoia Sotterranea
 * 4) Piazza della Sala
 * 5) Marino Marini Museum

Start at the main square, housing Pistoia’s Duomo. Though perhaps not the first cathedral for Pistoia, it most definitely presents a distinct and elegance appearance. It is found within the first set of city walls dates back to the Lombard domination in the 7th century. Named after San Zeno, it dates back to the 10th century though much of what you admire today has been restored several times over the last hundreds and hundreds of years.. San Zeno was an important bishop from 300 B.C. and his statue towers on the cathedral’s roof next to the statue of the city’s patron, San Jacopo (St. James), who are historically linked to each other since it was the bishop Zeno who acquired the important relic of San Jacopo from the city of Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

To the right of the Duomo, note the very particular brick building, the bishop’s palace, unknown as the Palazzo dei Vescovi, characterized by a loggia with lancet arches and mullioned windows. On the other side of the cathedral you will note Palazzo del Podestà or Pretorio, and opposite it the Palazzo del Comune, both where the ancient headquarters for law enforcement and local government during the years.

There are two impressive towers in the piazza: the bell tower of the Duomo and the Torre di Catalina. The first is located to the left of the church, characterized by the gothic style tower and by the swallow tail feather shape typical of the Ghibelline period. It is 67 meters high and there are two hundred stairs which await you, promising incredible panoramic views that are well worth every ounce of energy. Tickets are available at the Tourist Office. Legends tells us that the Tower of Catalin, which is dwarfed next to the bell tower at only 30 meters, is said to be the final resting place of the famous Roman general Catalin.

The Baptistery of San Giovanni in Corte, an elegant example of 14th century gothic architecture, faces the cathedral. The baptistery’s octagonal shape, constructed in two colors of marble, reflects the Pistoiese Romanic tradition.

The baptistery has gone through several different restoration interventions throughout the centuries. Upon entering, the atmosphere is solemn as well as bare. Your attention is inevitably drawn to the splendid baptismal font, positioned right in the center of the octagon, constructed by Lanfranco di Como.

Today, the baptistery is no longer used for religious services but rather, occasionally hosts cultural events.

The Piazza della Sala, located behind the baptistery. "La Sala", as the local “pistoiesi” call it, is home to an artisan market, various workshops and also, several wine bars, cafés and restaurants.

Also visit the Marino Marini museum in the Palazzo del Tau in Corso Fedi, only a few minutes walk from Piazza della Sala.

The Marino Marini Museum houses numerous contemporary pieces of artwork by the celebrated 1940’s artist, born and raised in Pistoia. Equestrian riders is without a doubt one of the most noted themes of Marini, but so are his “Pomone”, portraits of the nude female body inspired by the Etruscan goddess of fertility. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm (entrance is free on Saturday), Sunday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and closed on Mondays.

Do

 * There is a great flea market on Wednesdays and Saturdays in Pistoia. It starts about 7:30 in the morning but is finished by 13:00.  Great bargains to be had in clothes and shoes and household items.
 * Antique Market in Pistoia - about 50 antique dealers gather along Via Cavour and Via Bozzi in the center of Pistoia on  the second weekend of every month (except July and August).

Eat
Gian Burrasca Restaurant, Corso Antonio Gramsci, 159/B

Pizzeria Partenope Viale Adua, Via Morelli Gualtierotti Sigismondo, 15

Try anywhere on the Piazza della Sala

Drink
Try anywhere on the Piazza della Sala

Go next
The Zoo of Pistoia (about 10 km outside of the city) and to the Pinocchio Park in Collodi, with its adjacent Garzoni Garden.

The town can serve as a handy base camp for exploring the surrounding area.
 * Florence (35km)
 * Lucca (42 km)
 * Pisa (67 km)

title: Pistoia


text:
Pistoia (province)

Pistoia is a Province of the Tuscany Region of Italy.

Cities

 * – capital of the Province.
 * – mineral water drinking therapy.
 * – mineral water drinking therapy.

title: Pistoia (province)