Tuscany Region (Pisa, Siena, Turin & Aosta)

16 September 2011 (Pisa)

Today's wake up call came at 06:00AM, breakfast at 06:45, bags outside the hotel and on the bus at 07:45. It was one fine sunny day and a scheduled trip from Genoa to Pisa excites everybody inside the bus. Ken, our young and handsome tour guide from EU travel & tours entertained us by sharing his experience about his work and how he managed to bring big groups to different parts of Europe. While listening to his stories, I have noticed that we are passing through a lot of tunnels. There are actually 50 tunnels between Genoa and Pisa and along the way, we can see big quarries of marbles. We reached Pisa in less than two hour.

I’ve never seen the leaning tower before and it’s supposed to be one of those things you have to see while in Italy. Personally, there's nothing much to do in Pisa. After taking photos that's it, but it was also funny to see other tourist standing and posing with arms up, pushing the tower to the left or to the right while some are trying to hold it up (ooppss I am one of those). I just leave to you to do the research why it began to lean, wink!

I haggled for some souvenirs and after 3hours, we left Pisa. It was pretty uneventful, but at least I can say I've been there.

17 September 2011 (Siena)

 
 One of the finest examples of Italian Gothic architecture I have seen was the Cathedrale di Santa Maria in Siena. Like a zebra, the walls are covered with black and white stripes from bottom to top.

 Siena was not as touristy as other cities in  Italy, one of the underrated city I think. 

Piazza del Campo. It has a very unique shape, something like a big big pizza:-)

What I enjoyed  most in Siena was sitting in the piazza, as what many others did. Sitting here with my two favorite flavored gelato on hand made me appreciate life, the many great things it can offer to us.

20 September 2011 (Turin)

Often overlooked by tourists and without being aware of the history of this city, we moved to the “not so frentic” city of Turin . At last, the streets are extravagantly wide, no queues and was able to breathe the very fresh air of Italy (after 5 days, with exaggeration hahaha).

 Honestly, I don't have any idea about Turin. It is only on our trip that I had a little understanding and knowledge about the city (poor Marivic, studied and graduated in an exclusive catholic school but didn't even know about the "Shroud of Turin", maybe I went to the toilet haha).

Inside Palazzo Madama, a visit to Luigi Mainolfi's ceramic installation 'Turin looking at the sea'. Mainolfi is known as one of the most relevant post conceptual Italian artists. Since 1996, he has been making ceramic portraits of his friends and acquaintances from actors, writers, artists, photographers, collectors, craftsmen, doctors, lawyers etc. This is also one of the interesting place I have visited so far. Italy is absolutely full of arts!

20 September 2011 (Aosta)

 

 At last, it is a one whole laid back day, no time pressure, no crowds and no need to take lots of photos. After lunch, we will leave this historic country for a romantic time in Switzerland. 

We had a stop at Aosta, located in the northwest of Italy surrounded by high mountains of the Alps. It is such a delight to see picturesque view around you. 

I can't find words to describe my happiness. 

We had a great day doing absolutely nothing. Perhaps the pressure of not having a lot of time is what forces one to enjoy a trip to the fullest and that's what we feel on our last day in Italy.