A double decker bus met us at the cruise terminal in La Spezia a little after 9:30 am. It was about an hour to Pisa. The bus was very nice and comfortable. There were no bathrooms. We drove to a bus parking area, since many of the streets around the Leaning Tower are closed and just for pedestrian traffic. On the bus, we were given a nice map of Pisa with points of interest marked. It was a 15 - 20 minute walk to the Leaning Tower.

Warning: Beware of pickpockets after you get off the bus: As our tour group was waiting at one of the crosswalks, I felt someone pulling on the top of my backpack. I turned around and yelled "No!" and shook my finger at the two young women in the 20's wearing plastic disposable raincoats like the other tourists. They didn't look shocked or worried or even wondering why I was yelling at them. Our tour group started walking and there was no police around, so I just kept walking with our group.

Once we got to the tower, our guide, Gaia, gave us the option to meet back at the angel fountain (more of a statue since there was no water) at 11:30 am for a one hour guided tour or just meet back at the bus at 1:50 pm.

We met her at 11:30 am and are so glad we did, because Gaia took us through the own town past various universities, to the Galileo statue and pointed out his dad's house, pointed out an 800 A.D. church, a piazza, and an old bridge. Gaia gave us wonderful information and was an absolute delight. She even showed us her favorite restaurant and gelato places. After that, we had time to explore on our own, and we went to her restaurant where we had a lovely lunch at local, not tourist prices followed by a stop for gelato. I think if you want to pay to walk up to the top of the Leaning Tower, and go into the church and museum, you would have to skip lunch.

By that time, we needed to head back to the bus. I think you need to leave at least 20 minutes for that. I followed a group of other tourists thinking they would be returning to the bus area, but they scattered and we ended up on the wrong street. The area between the city and the bus on the map does not have side streets marked but know you are heading back to the railroad tracks.

I had texted our guide (it would be a good idea to get his/her phone number) to let her know we were on our way but got held up by a train crossing. We made it back exactly on time though. It was a relaxing hour ride back to the cruise terminal where you need to then get the shuttle back to the cruise ship, since La Spezia in an active shipping port.

Gaia was warm, charming, personable, and was a wonderful guide. She had been filling in for the other guides who were out sick, so I am sure the normal guides are as wonderful. We had an excellent day - many thanks to Gaia!