The easing of restrictive measures related to the COVID pandemic has prompted us to take a trip outside the borders of the Republic of Croatia, so we are heading to Italy, to Tuscany. We compared the arrangements of different domestic agencies and decided on an agency ICT Travel. We didn't regret it!
Photography is a lot, a real dilemma to publish!
Rijeka – Lucca – Montecatini Terme (Day 1)
We joined the travel team that drives from Cakovec and Varazdin, through Zagreb to Rijeka, at 7:30 at the Gate of the Adriatic. In addition to the tolerable detention at the SLO-IT border for the routine control of travel documents, we went to Lucca, hometown of Giacomo Puccini.
The historical center of the settlement is surrounded by thick walls within which winds a circle of narrow picturesque streets. An experienced agency guide brings us to the Key Landmarks, and time for a free individual tour we use to climb the Guinigi Tower. The entrance fee is 5 Euros, and after the ascent of 233 steps we enjoy about 15 minutes in the panoramic view.
Lucca – panorama from the top of the tower
The City Walls
We continue to Montecatini Terme. We are staying in a hotel categorized with 3* (“Italian”). We expect neatness and cleanliness, but not an eclectic style that is rarely seen...remarks and experiences handful. ⁇ ⁇
On excursions of this type every hour is important, so after a short refreshment the group heads to the place above Therma -> Montecatini Alto. After a short walk, we are at the foot of a hill where we will not climb but will rise to it Montecatini Terme Funicular. Unfortunately, twilight gives way to the night, so we do not enjoy the view of Terme, but comment on the questionable safety of the old plant. We took a short walk, and got the impression that the houses were mostly abandoned. Without us tourists there would be quite a “scary”. ⁇
Montecatini Terme - Florence - Montecatini Terme (2nd day)
After breakfast, we'll take the train to Florence. Great connection, super comfort, railway station clean and tidy. Due to covid measures, FFP2 masks are necessary. Some of the group didn't have them, but we didn't have any problems.
We leave the train in the city center, and we are welcomed on the square by a local guide, a flip-flop. But she's out of shape here. She doesn't know Croatian, and it's as if English is foreign to her.
We embark on a joint tour of the main sights – Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, Giotto's Bell Tower, Piazza della Signoria, Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, Boboli Gardens...
We could hardly wait for the end of the guided tour and the separation from the group.
Boboli Gardens
The guide recommended us places to buy a great ice cream, and also where to eat a good pizza.
We listened to the advice and enjoyed it. Ice cream: Gelateria La Carraia / Pizza: GustaPizza
Montecatini Terme – Cinque Terre – Montecatini Terme (Day 3)
After early breakfast, we will again walk from the hotel to the train station. The train is not late, we are in La Spezia, the capital of the province of the same name. The city is typically harbory, quite neglected, we hurry further so we embark on the Cinque Terre Express.
Enjoyment, train ideal for exploring the destination “Cinque Terre“, five settlements on the Ligurian coast of Italy: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.
Because of its beauty, it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The guide’s plan is to walk around the place, take a short train ride and so on five times.
1. Corniglia
The guide first leads us to Cornigliu. It is the only place that is not at sea, so the plan to visit it while we have the most energy seems logical. It is widely known for its lemons and wines. They have an ingenious system of transporting people and tools to the vineyards, an original invention – a rollercoaster for vineyards. It is necessary to have loops with riding this device ⁇
2. Vernazza
The second place we visit is Vernazza - a city that suffered a severe tragedy a few years ago. Heavy rains caused landslides and flooding that destroyed half the city, taking years to recover. Everything is back to normal now.
3. Monterosso
The next destination is Monterosso (al mare), a village with the most beautiful/biggest beaches and also our destination for a well-deserved lunch!
4. Riomaggiore
After a refreshing lunch, we go on, although all the settlements begin to resemble each other, so when we arrived at Riomaggiore We don't know where we are anymore. ⁇
5. Manarola
And here we are in the last of the settlements: Manaroli. Batteries are emptied – it's time to go back. All in all, we had a great time - the beauty of colours, smells, sights. There are a lot of tourists, but we were expecting a bigger crowd.
The balance of daily walking and surprises us ⁇
Montecatini Terme - Pisa - Montecatini Terme - Rijeka (Day 4)
After breakfast, we will take the train to Pise. At the station, we have a local policeman stealing our time with dramatic warnings of thefts in Pisa. It also points to protective masks that are acceptable, and highlights differences compared to those that are not. He scared us so much that we immediately put the backpacks in the front and squeeze them tightly.
We start our tour in Pisa at Campo dei Miracoli, the square of wonders.
Among the miraculous buildings, many tourists have come to terms with the poses they hold, correct or abuse the leaning tower.
And we're one of them. ⁇
We use the rest of the time for a more detailed tour of the city. Plenty of sights, universities, restaurants, cafes, shops. There's a protest here, too.
Post scriptum:
The basic price of the arrangement, 4 days stay and transportation by bus, accommodation in a hotel based on half board, was 1,044,00 kn. We paid a little more because we wanted to sit in the first 2 rows. This pair is worth 100 kn more ⁇
The weather forecast for 3 out of 4 days turned out to be, and this time, incorrect. We comment that after this experience, we download all applications dealing with this topic from mobile phones.
Hotel Miro, except (+) for a pair (-):
PLUS -> rooms are neat, breakfast is modest, but correct, dinner good, staff helpful. The surroundings of the hotel are excellent - a large park from Terme is right next to the hotel, and the town centre is not even 5 minutes away!
MINUS -> dirty air conditioning that does not work, old furniture, unmaintained environment, dirty pool.
All in all, a recommendation arrangement if you value a destination experience and a great location more than an accommodation for which you are only willing to pay as much as sleeping in a clean bed deserves.
English (UK)