In one day, I saw the Statue of David in Florence, the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Pisa, and arrived in Venice. Here is the route I followed on my fly-by detour through northern Italy:
Ferry Split, Croatia to Acona, Italy
From Split I took an 8pm ferry to Acona, Italy. I slept on the floor of a restaurant on the ferry (deck space was the cheapest ticket option) and arrived in Italy when I woke up.
Using my data-less google maps and asking locals “FlixBus?” I was eventually able to find the bus stop.
Bus Acona - Florence
Florence was scorching hot, and I had not reserved a hostel in the city. After thirty minutes of searching I finally found WiFi, and navigated to the Florence Dance hostel. This hostel was fine, but it was a lot of stairs to get to the flat. I was primarily excited to take a shower and put down my backpack.
I washed laundry for 4€ at a laundromat down the street, which is a great price compared to most laundromat options I have seen on this trip. The Firenze region, which includes Florence, is well known for their high-quality leather. I enjoyed exploring the leather market, and purchased gifts to send home.
I took a free walking tour around the city, and was impressed with the beautiful Italian architecture. I especially loved the Cathedral of Santa Maria! After eating my body weight in gelato and finding some Tuscan wine, I watched the sunset over the city from the Piazzale Michaelangelo.
The next morning, I woke up early to catch the Statue of David right when it opened at 8:15am. (Totally worth the 8€, coming from someone who knows nothing about art!)
Trains were leaving every ten minutes or so to Pisa that day, so I got to the train station at about 10am and bought a 9€ ticket.
Train Florence - Pisa
Unfortunately the leaning tower of Pisa is not immediately off the train station and is actually rather complicated to find. Luckily, however, almost every tourist coming off the train with you is going to the same place, and I was able to walk along with a honeymooning couple that had cell data. Again, this city was so unbelievably hot. I do not understand how I’m the only person with sweat pouring down my face.
Pisa was cool, but after the obligatory photo I didn’t spend more time in the city. The hostels were expensive to book last minute here, so I decided to continue on to Venice from the Pisa bus station.
Bus Pisa - Venice
There are two Venice stops with the bus - make sure you get off at the second one! I met a few people who did it wrong and it is an expensive taxi ride to correct it.
The bus station is close to the city, but not fully in it. By chance, on my walk into the city, a local flagged me down to show me the correct way. Through a creepy, dark harbor alley, you come to a high fence that looks impassable - but a hidden gate on the right side is unlocked to let you through. I would have never found this on my own - most tourists must get taxis. I navigated through the night streets of Venice to the Pescheria Backpacker’s hostel, named after the fish market near where it was located.
I stayed two nights, and explored the maze that is Venice. Unfortunately, even on a diet of canned tuna and fruit market groceries, this city is expensive.
I spent twice my budget in half the days I had planned (primarily due to lack of self control with leader products) so hurried out of the country to Slovenia, my bag laden with wallets and gloves.
My fly-by of Northern Italy was fun bonus to my trip, but not thorough by any means. Maybe one day when I have a job I can come back and do it properly.
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