B&B Carla, Pisa (Italy)

We usually stay at hotels when we travel, but we had such good experiences with bed & breakfast-style accommodations in Italy previously, that I wanted to do the same for our latest trip to Italy last summer. We were in Pisa for only one night, and we stayed at B&B Carla which I'd chosen based on the raving online reviews on both tripadvisor and hostelworld. And what a great choice it was! Carla and Mario were absolutely charming, super-friendly and very hospitable! They picked us up at the airport where we'd arrived from Paris, welcomed us into their gorgeous home and passionately explained their city. Mario even drove us to the main part of Pisa and picked us up again after dinner! The chauffeur service was unexpected and very much appreciated since I was 5 months pregnant travelling with a young child.

Spacious bed for hubby, myself and my expanding belly:

The boy had his own single bed (just visible to the right of the photo). On the table in front of the glass door were packaged breads, water bottles, glasses and teacups:

Lovely fan:

The beautiful Tuscan house is located in the suburbs, and the rooms were fabulously spacious. We were welcomed with biscuits and cakes in the room, and it was convenient having tea and coffee-making facilities in the room. There are four rooms available, but incidentally, we were the only guests in the house because Carla and Mario were closing their B&B services for the summer the next day. I was glad to have just made it in! We had a very comfortable sleep, and ate very well at breakfast the following morning. Though we were only 2 adults and 1 child eating breakfast, Carla provided a large spread for us including several kinds of cakes and biscuits, fresh fruits, salami and cheese. The highlight of breakfast was definitely the cakes and pastries and other baked goods that were sourced freshly made. Carla was also helpful in pointing out safe and unsafe foods for our allergic son. There was a lot of food, and Carla told me to pack some for the train ride to Cinque Terre.

The usual breakfast suspects, including cereals, yogurt, bread and spreads:

Biscuits, tarts, muffins and croissants:

It was truly a pleasure to stay in Carla's and Mario's beautiful home, and B&B Carla is the epitome of what a B&B should be!

B&B Carla
Via Agostino Bertani, 6
Sant'Ermete
56121 Pisa
Italy
Tel. +39 338 368 7405

Italy 2013: Pisa

Italy holds a special place in our hearts, so we were excited to head there again to explore other regions. Our main destination in Italy was the beautiful Cinque Terre, and we decided to break up our train journey from Paris with an overnight stay in the little town of Pisa. We all know Pisa's most famous landmark is the Leaning Tower, and the Eiffel Tower-obsessed boy was excited to view another tower. Pisa is only a small town, and we could see all the worthwhile sights in one afternoon.

The famous Leaning Tower of Pisa:

The Pisa Cathedral (click on image for larger view):

The Pisa Baptistry opposite the Cathedral:

The Cathedral facade, shadowed by the Baptistry:

Part of the Piazza dei Miracoli with the Camposanto Monumentale (Monumental Cemetary) on the left and the Cathedral up ahead. The Baptistry is immediately to the right of this shot, and the Leaning Tower is behind the Cathedral. Click on image for larger view:

Hubby really wanted to stop by Galileo's birthplace:

Palazzo della Carovana, the main building of the Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa that makes up part of the Pisa University System (click on image for larger view):

This Church of the Knights of Order of Saint Stephen is also part of the University:

Walking down the pedestrian street through town from Piazza dei Miracoli to the train station:

Crossing Ponte di Mezzo, the main bridge in Pisa:

The Arno River reminded me of the view from another Italian bridge:

Walking through a pedestrian street mall:

The walking tour of Pisa only took a few hours to complete. Stay tuned for more!