Interlude Tours: Luxury Travel to the Leaning Tower of Pisa from Indianapolis
We have an incredible tour to Tuscany, Italy, that will thrill those of you who love culture, relaxation, and gourmet food:
Explore Tuscany
May 12-20, 2010 (9 days, 7 nights)
Escorted vacation and guaranteed departure
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is an apt symbol of the kind of wonderful places you’ll be visiting on this tour and the culture you’ll be experiencing. It’s one of those famous places that people always wish to visit–and, when they do, they are ten times more impressive and amazing than they are in photographs.
According to Wikipedia,
Construction of the first floor of the white marble campanile began on August 9, 1173. The tower began to sink after construction had progressed to the third floor in 1178. This was due to a mere three-meter foundation, set in weak, unstable subsoil. Construction was subsequently halted for almost a century.
In 1272, construction resumed under Giovanni di Simone, architect of the Camposanto. In an effort to compensate for the tilt, the engineers built upper floors with one side taller than the other. This made the tower begin to lean in the other direction. Because of this, the tower is actually curved.
The seventh floor was completed in 1319. The bell-chamber was not finally added until 1372. It was built by Tommaso di Andrea Pisano, who succeeded in harmonizing the Gothic elements of the bell-chamber with the Romanesque style of the tower.
So much history contained in one tower! And you will experience it firsthand.
Let’s zoom out from the leaning tower a bit and see where it’s situated:
Interlude Tours: Luxury Travel to the Pisa, Italy, from Indianapolis
This is the majestic Piazza del Duomo (Italian for “Cathedral Square”), containing the cathedral dedicated to St. Mary of the Assumption. And this too shall all be yours to explore at relaxed, leisurely pace. Zooming out further, you will experience many, many other places like this in one of Italy’s most beautiful regions: Tuscany.
One other important note about this tour: it is renowned as one of our best tours for food. In nine days, the tour includes an abundant 21 meals (7 each of breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and there are many opportunities for you to dine at restaurants that catch your fancy.
Sarah Baker has a lovely article online about Tuscan cuisine. Says Sarah,
Tuscan cooking is simple and seasonal, without the heavy sauces found in other regions. Eschewing butter, Tuscans use olive oil generously for cooking, dressing salad, dipping bread, and flavoring soups. Indeed, olive oil is often the star of the gastronomic show, and Tuscan oils are highly prized.
In addition to olive oil, no Tuscan pantry is complete without the following staples: sage, rosemary, thyme, chestnuts, pecorino cheese, beans, prosciutto, and bread. Many dishes center on vegetables such as artichokes, asparagus, fennel, peas, and wild mushrooms, so vegetarians will feel right at home.
Nonetheless, Tuscany is known for its bistecca all fiorentina, a thickly cut steak cooked over coals and flavored with only olive oil, salt, and pepper. Most of the meat dishes on a Tuscan menu contain wild game. Duck, rabbit, and wild boar are popular, as is tripe. While Tuscans enjoy many cheeses, pecorino, made from sheep’s milk, is king.
Please take a look at your amazing itinerary to see all the incredible things you’ll be experiencing. Truly the trip of a lifetime! So why not give it a try? We welcome reservations from Indianapolis, where we are based, or from any location in the United States or Canada.
Top photo by Marschau; bottom photo by Sailko/JoJan; both used with permission.
–Matt
The Interlude Tours Blog Team
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Tags: leaning tower of pisa, pisa italy, tuscan cuisine, tuscany, tuscany italy
