Virtually every guide bookto Italy will show you a picture of the leaning tower of Pisa, but the greatsurprise when you get there is that it is merely the belfry for the mostmagnificent cathedral complex, with a stunning baptistery and walled cemetery.Though the sea has now receded, in medieval times, Pisa was a great maritimerepublic, rivalling Genoa and Venice and this superb ensemble, known as the‘field of miracles’ was a religious hub worthy of its status. The cathedral hasa beautiful pulpit, sculpted by Giovanni Pisano and a mosaic, Christ inMajesty, completed by Cimabue in 1302. After years of work to stop the towerfrom falling down, you can once again ascend to the top and will be very awareof the ‘lean’, as you wind your way up. After lunch (not included), make yourway to Lucca, the most perfect completely walled city and birthplace of thecomposer, Puccini. It is known as the town of 99 churches and you will visitthe S.Martino Cathedral and the beautiful San Michele. The Piazza Anfiteatrofollows the exact lines of the Roman amphitheatre, indeed, you can still seesome of the arches and columns. The surrounding countryside is full of olivegroves and Lucca is known for producing some very fine olive oils.
