december-2009

WEEKENDER | PISA
Stop for a pizza at the tiny Pizzeria Il
Montino (1 Via del Monte, tel: +39 050
598 695) or try cecina, a yellow pancake
made from chickpea fl our from a 13thcentury
Pisan recipe. Cutting through to
the Borgo Stretto, you’ll hit Pisa’s most
elegant street, its boutiques ranged under
the arches of the Renaissance portico.
Check out Hightech Malibu at number 17
for fun designer gear and local jewellery,
and Samarcanda at number 26 for quality,
affordable shoes. A plaque above Caffè
Settimelli under the arches signals that the
house above was where Pisa’s most famous
son, astronomer Galileo Galilei was born.
Mezzo Bridge connects the two halves
of Pisa, leading to Corso Italia, Pisa’s
upmarket high street with big Italian and
international mid-market brands such
as Zara. On the bridge and the streets
50 | TRAVELLER | DECEMBER 09
Clockwise from here,
Santa Maria della Spina;
Royal Victoria Hotel;
Mezzo Bridge Christmas
markets; Piazza delle
Vettovaglie market
surrounding it there is a big antiques
market every second weekend of the month
and on the weekends before Christmas,
the market takes on a festive feel with
stalls of gifts and decorations. Before you
cross the Mezzo Bridge, though, pay a visit
to the city’s best gelateria, a few minutes’
walk along the Lungarno. De Coltelli (23
Lungarno) has been making ice cream
since the 18th century and offers exotic
and unusual fl avours.
In the evening, dine at Cagliostro (Via
del Castelletto, tel: +39 050 575 413). It’s
hard to fi nd but worth it for the menu
of specialities from all over Italy and the
impressive wine list, all at around €20 a
head. Afterwards, head for the lively bars
from here to Piazza dei Cavalieri, which are
popular with students. Some of the bars
play live music on Saturday nights.
SUNDAY
Devote your day to discount designer
shopping at The Mall (8 Via Europa,
Leccio, Reggello), just 90 minutes outside
Pisa by train and taxi. This pleasant, leafy
outlet village is the place to indulge in some
serious bargain hunting, with designers
including Gucci, Armani, Bottega Veneta,
Marni, YSL, Alexander McQueen, Stella
McCartney, Pucci and many more. Some
stores give you the chance to snap up
purchases at discounts of up to 60%. At
the end of your spree you will have offi cially
discovered one of Tuscany’s best-kept
secrets – Pisa as a shopping destination.
easyJet flies to...
Pisa from six destinations.
See our insider guide on page 168.
Book online at easyJet.com
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