Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 05 050 21 20;
www.hotelbologna.pisa.it
; Via Mazzini 57; d €134-198, tr €188-278, q €194-298;
)
Well away from the Piazza dei Miracoli mayhem (but an easy 1km walk or bike
ride), this four-star choice on the south side of the Arno is a 68-room oasis of peace and
tranquillity. Its rooms have wooden floors and high ceilings, and some are nicely frescoed.
Those for four make it a practical, if pricey, family choice. Courtyard parking/bike hire
costs €10/12 per day.
HOTEL
€€€
Hotel Relais dell'Orologio
( 05 083 03 61;
www.hotelrelaisorologio.com
;
Via della Faggiola 12-14; s/d from €120/195; )
Something of a honeymoon venue, Pisa's dreamy five-star hotel occupies a tastefully re-
stored 14th-century fortified tower house in a quiet street. Some rooms have original fres-
coes and the flowery patio restaurant makes a welcome retreat from the crowds. Book
through its website to bag the cheapest deal.
Eating
Being a university town, Pisa has a good range of eating places, especially around Borgo
Stretto and south of the river in the trendy San Martino quarter.
Il Montino
(Vicolo del Monte 1; pizzas €3-6.50; 10.30am-3pm & 5-10pm Mon-Sat)
There is nothing flash or
fancy about this Pisan institution. Take away or order at the bar then grab a table, inside or
out, and munch on house specialities like
cecina
(chickpea pizza) and
castagnacci
(chest-
nut cake) washed down with a
spuma
(sweet, nonalcoholic drink). Or go for a
foccacine
(flat roll) filled with salami, pancetta or
porchetta
(suckling pig).
It's hidden in a back alley - the quickest way to find the place is to head west along Via
Ulisse Dini from the northern end of Borgo Stretto (opposite the Lo Sfizio cafe at Borgo
Stretto 54) to Piazza San Felice where it is easy to spot, on your left, a telling blue neon
'Pizzeria' sign.
PIZZERIA
€
Il Crudo
SANDWICHES
€
