Pisa and Lucca

All these years of flying with United Airlines have finally paid off - I just checked my account and I've made it to 50,000 miles!! I am so excited and am already coming up with all kinds of vacation ideas. Right now I am thinking of using my free flight to go to Puerto Rico. or maybe Hawaii? I'm not sure... really I would like to go to Cuba but unfortunately I dont have enough time for that. It's very frustrating because the breaks during my semester are just much too short!
Anyway, before I start planning my upcoming trips, I want to finish writing about my summer. I spent a whole month in Italy but have only written about Livorno, so here goes...
Pisa: the Torre Pendente is incredible! I really had no idea that it would be so impressive. Of course I had seen it in tons of pictures, but it is really something else to turn the corner and suddenly see it looming right in front of you. The Campo dei Miracoli is overflowing with tourists though so it is also nice to get away and wander down some of the smaller streets and alleys of the historical center. There are several smaller piazzas that are really beautiful and much less crowded, especially around the university. Also, there is a market across the main bridge (towards the train station) where we bought some really great bread and cheese, and had a little picnic. This is something I really miss in the US - outdoor markets, and good bread and cheese! We do have the occasional farmers market but its really not the same experience.
Lucca: a really beautiful medieval town completely surrounded by walls, which also serve as a raised pathway for pedestriants and bicyclists. After walking through the small, winding roads of the city, we went up the Guingi Tower - this cost $5 but it was definitely worth it because the panoramic views are incredible! The piazza San Michele was another place I really enjoyed - not only because of the stunning church facade surrounded by shops and cafes but also because of the jazz musicians who happened to be playing in the square while we were there. It was the perfect place to sit in the shade and escape the noonday heat. The downside of Lucca was really the fact that there are so many tourists and some of the cafes/restaurants charge outrageous prices. Whatever you do don't go to the Cafe in Piazza San Guido (called Cafe San Guido I believe) - we paid almost 3 times more for a coffee than we ever had before.