An Extreme Day Trip.. To Pisa

Earlier this month, my mum and I embarked on an exciting Extreme Day Trip (EDT) to Pisa, Italy, and it was every bit as amazing as we hoped!

• Outbound flight: 09:40 Stansted → Pisa

• Return flight: 18:30 Pisa → Stansted

• Cost: £35 per person

Despite ongoing strikes in Italy, both flights were perfectly on time, with the return even landing 40 minutes early!

4 Hours in Pisa: How We Made the Most of It

Four hours might sound short, but it was the perfect amount of time for a snapshot of Pisa. Here’s how we packed it all in:

• 🚖 Taxi to the Leaning Tower (€15): We shared with two fellow passengers heading the same way to save time (and money).

• 📸 Photo op galore: Explored the Leaning Tower and nearby landmarks, snapping plenty of iconic shots.

• 🍦 Ice cream break: Because no Italian adventure is complete without gelato!

• 🍹 Aperol Spritz with a view (€10): Sat at a café directly opposite the tower, soaking up the sights with a refreshing drink in hand.

• 🍝 Delicious Italian lunch (£22): Enjoyed authentic pasta paired with a glass of wine—worth every penny.

• 🍦 Second ice cream (why not?): Wrapped up our time in Pisa with another round of gelato.

Getting Around Pisa

For our return to the airport, we opted for an Uber (€30)—more expensive than a taxi, but with strikes making cabs scarce, it was the best option. Walking to and from the tower is doable but would’ve cut into our precious time, so we prioritized staying close to the main attractions.

Was It Worth It?

Absolutely! Pisa was a delight, and the timing of the flights made it easy to enjoy a well-spent day. That said, any delays could have derailed the experience, so we recommend only booking if you’re willing to gamble the cost of flights.

The Highlights

• Left home at 6:20 AM and returned by 8:55 PM, bottle of red in hand to share with Keefy

• Managed to check off a bucket list destination for Mum (I’d been before) with plenty of food, sights, and memories squeezed into one day.

• Pisa was stunning, and we’re already planning to do it again! Any excuse for pasta lunch!

If you’ve been considering one of these budget-friendly EDTs, we’d say go for it—but stay flexible, and be ready for a bit of adventure. For us, this whirlwind trip to Pisa was one for the books!