The David or Pisa?

[DisDiana]

Hey, everyone!

My check-in and excursion date is rapidly approaching and my husband and I can't decide between seeing Michaelangelo's David in Florence or visiting Pisa. Anyone have an opinion?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[piccolopat]

We haven't been to Italy yet but my BIL has. He absolutely raved about Florence and was *meh* about Pisa. You might check out some of the Rick Steves or other travel writers' reports or videos to help you decide.

 

[DisDiana]

We haven't been to Italy yet but my BIL has. He absolutely raved about Florence and was *meh* about Pisa. You might check out some of the Rick Steves or other travel writers' reports or videos to help you decide.

Thanks for the reply. The excursion does stop in Florence but instead of seeing The David, we head on to Pisa, which is what prompted my poll.

Looking forward to seeing more responses!

 

[Currahee]

It has been 2 years since the Med cruise but I recall being able to visit Florence and Pisa on the same excursion. Visiting the original statue of David at the Academia was not one of the options but we visited the replica.

 

[RedSox68]

When we visited in 2007, our tour included visiting Florence and Pisa. It is still one of our favorite cities. We liked it even more than Rome. We saw the replica of David in Florence and loved Pisa.

 

[meg8182000]

To be honest I haven't been to Italy in years (over 20). My tour did go to Pisa and got to go up to the top of the leaning tower which was cool and separately spent a day in Florence. One day in Florence wasn't nearly enough as it's absolutely gorgeous and filled with so much history. Got to go in and see "The David" and it was just an experience I won't ever forget.

It was cool to see the Tower in Pisa but if I could only do one - I'd personally do Florence and see "David".

No matter what you decide, I'm sure you'll have a great time!

 

[jrabbit]

Voted for David ...

Several years ago, before our DCL Med cruise we spent a few days in Rome and several more days in Florence. And at our La Spezia stop, we went to Pisa on our own.

The drive to Florence is several hours each way - so I would take that into consideration. (less time if docking in Livorno vs La Spezia)

The Academia where David is, is a smaller museum. The David is SPECTACULAR - wow. But there was something about Michelangelo's "Prisoners(link)" that just absolutely fascinated me. They are very cool sculptures in an "unfinished" state (on purpose). Powerful.

And Florence is a cool city. You won't have time to visit the Uffizi Gallery, but seeing the outside statues is cool. The Piazza della Signoria has a lot of statues. Then there is the Duomo (Cathedral of Stan Maria del Fiori) and its Baptistery with the doors ("Gates of Paradise"). And the "other" cathedral - Basilica of Stana Croce that contains the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, Dante, etc.

(and last summer we saw "David" twice - He's in the Victoria and Albert museum in London, and while walking in Copenhagen, we ran into him again!!! But the original in the Academia is the best one by far)

Pisa has the Field of Miracles, with a tower that's trying to fall over. The Tower, the Duomo/Church, the Cemetery are all worth visiting, and I know that we've all heard about / "studied" / are familiar with the leaning tower (that's why we went). Beautiful architecture. But it's not a day trip. Oh yea, I forgot to mention all of the "street vendors" selling cheap junk from China. And the "permanent" tee shirt / souvenir shops. Kind of ruins the wow factor of the buildings and the respect / reverence such places deserve. I really, really really wished that we went to Cinque Terre instead - or even Siena a little farther south.

yep, LOVED Florence, liked Pisa. Will go back to Florence some day. Only going back to Pisa if I want to climb the tower (we did not do this on our visit).

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

The David.........without question .....it is breath taking.

AKK

 

[tink1970]

Disclaimer-I'm a Michelangelo fan.
The David is an amazing work of art. I was mesmerized the minute I walked in. The Pisa is interesting-I did walk up and down the stairs and had a wonderful view of the countryside. That said, if I had to choose, hands down-David.

 

[Bumbling Bee]

I've never done a Med cruise, but I lived in Italy for four months last year. My vote is the David, all the way. I was only in Pisa for one day in order to use the airport, but it was more than enough time. The tower and other landmarks are strangely corralled off into a single area. Because of that, there's really nothing to see that can't be seen in pictures. If you get a chance, do it, but if you have to sacrifice anything else, don't.
The David is an incredible experience the way the Academy has it set up, and it was always a dream of mine to see. However, my answer is more due to how much I loved Florence. Spend as much time there as possible. It is so beautiful and so different from other Italian cities. I lived about an hour away, and I probably visited a dozen times.

 

[Aerin75]

Going against the grain....I love architecture, so I would opt for Pisa. Not so much that I couldn't be talked out of it.

 

[EllieBride]

100%, without a doubt, the David! The beauty just blew me away. Our guide also took us to see the replica David, which, IMO, doesn't even compare. And as jrabbit noted, be prepared for a ton of vendors selling junk from China if you do decide to go to Pisa.

 

[gilsan]

I have not been to Pisa, but I have seen David and it is amazing, definitely worth seeing the real one. Plus Florence is very nice and there is lots to see near the Accadamia, like the Duomo.

 

[Travelbug22]

We booked our excursion with Rome in Limo http://www.romeinlimo.com/la-spezia/pisa-and-florence.htm . We were able to visit both place. We were traveling with kids so Pisa is a must for us. But if just adults I will go with David at Florence.

 

[crainbow]

Hey, everyone!

My check-in and excursion date is rapidly approaching and my husband and I can't decide between seeing Michaelangelo's David in Florence or visiting Pisa. Anyone have an opinion?

Thanks in advance!!

The David and Florence is by far the better option. Standing in front of David is just humbling. Photos do not do it justice.

Regards,

 

[Tara1975]

I used to live in Italy. I would say Florence. All there is in Pisa is the leaning tower and the church by it. There is more to see and do in Florence. I would also check out the leather market in Florence.

 

[closetmickey]

The David and Florence is by far the better option. Standing in front of David is just humbling. Photos do not do it justice.

Regards,

Absolutely agree! And I am not particularly fond of sculpture. It's simply incredible.

 

[Chirple]

We did the Med cruise in 2014. Having never been to Europe prior to that trip, we wanted to see as much as possible. Once we got to Florence, I did not want to leave. It was beautiful. While Pisa was interesting, we only had 45 minutes there once we took the long walk from the bus drop off (and then had to walk back). We took the standard pictures there, which was enough for us.

 

[OKW Lover]

We've done both during an ABD Viva Italia trip. Pisa was interesting, but not worth the bus ride IMHO. The David has to be seen.

 

[Rabb it]

David for sure, imo.