Italy’s top five destinations for travel, according to the Italians themselves on the Trivago travel site, have turned up a couple of surprises. For future travel tips to Italy, you can check out these destinations yourself, a couple of which are off the beaten track and not part of the major tourist destinations of Rome, Florence and Venice.

The first of Italy’s top travel destinations is Pisa, and not just for the world famous leaning tower. Pisa is known for its agriturismo farm stays, health spa weekends and local cuisine, most of which are particularly popular if you’re travelling in autumn in Italy.

Pisa is hosting a couple of Italian food festivals this month, including the Dolcemente event and “Pisa Vini” from November 25 to 27. The next of Italy’s top five destinations are Padua, Bologna, Mantua and Genoa. For more details, see after the jump.

Continue reading: Italy's top five travel destinations: from Pisa to Genoa and homemade pesto

In this video you can see the Luminara di San Ranieri or the light festival in Pisa. In an ancient tradition, the people of Pisa celebrate their patron saint with a light festival on June 17th. About 70,000 candles in glass holders are lit and hung from buildings, bridges, churches and towers. The leaning tower of Pisa is lit by oil burners, which also decorate the walls of the town.

The Arno river is also the scene of barges carrying lights and in the town centre all lights are turned off so that only fairy lights and candles keep the darkness away. In the afternoon of June 17, a traditional regatta takes place on the river, involving the historic districts of the town who challenge each other.

The Luminara tradition dates back to March 25th 1688 when religious relics of Ranieri degli Scaccieri, patron of the city, were first placed in the cathedral in Pisa. It was a grand event for the city and an “illumination” tradition started that in the 19th century took the name of “luminara”. For more information, see Journey Man pictures on YouTube.

Continue reading: Light festival in Pisa for patron saint celebrations

The leaning tower of Pisa is a little less leaning since 2000 when attempts to straighten it up now mean it’s no longer the most crooked structure in the world.

Pisa’s tower now has some serious competition from the Schiefer Turm von Suurhusen church in Germany, which has gone into the Guinness Book of World Records.

The 13th century church inclines at 5.07 degrees, compared to the Tower of Pisa which inclines 3.97 degrees. If you want to see the full report of the studies, you can go to the official site of the German church.

We’re not that interested in the competition as the church might lean more, but at least we can trust the Leaning Tower of Pisa to stand up for a while yet. And we think it wins for the charm factor anyway - I haven’t seen the church on any trattoria walls yet.

Source | National Geographic

Continue reading: The leaning Tower of Pisa: its competitors lean more!

If you wanted to duck out to the leaning tower of Pisa during lunch hour, or live not far from some beautiful Italian coastline, you could consider studying at the University of Pisa. It’s famous for jurisprudence, but is also well-renowned for engineering and medicine.

Despite a provincial feel to the city at times, and stories of hystrionic professors at exams (we didn’t ask for details), our source says the city costs slightly less than other Italian cities, and it’s close to Florence and Siena without paying the rent of those destinations. In addition, if you’re wanting a little sun-soaked Tuscan countryside, you’re only a step away from San Gimignano and other towns of the area.

While after only a few nights out on the town, it’s possible you’ll know everyone already as it’s not a big smoke here. But, better the devil you know, right…? For foreign students, oral exams are said to be a cinch with some preferential treatment (we’re not sure why but our source reckons that the way it should be). Go the university’s website for more information, which you will find in English.

Photo | Flickr

Continue reading: Study in Italy and see the Leaning Tower: the University of Pisa