My First Trip to Italy ...half day trip to Pisa

While there I wanted to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Before I left the USA, I booked a tour for a half day trip to Pisa.  The weather was so cold with blustery rain I wondered if the trip would  happen as planned. I was to meet my group at the corner across from Santa Novella station. I chose the afternoon tour as I had been up and out every morning since arriving in Florence. I got to the meeting place early and decided to have a little lunch before the tours  departure. There was a little sandwich shop across from the station. It had the most delicious focaccia and meat paninis, and sweet smooth Italian Coffee, which I had grown to really like. I had stopped there one other morning while waiting for the tram to go to the Duomo...so I returned.
At the appointed time I  went out into the rain and as soon as I walked up a attractive young Italian girl asked if I was waiting to go to Pisa. Relived that the tour was still on,  I said yes and she told me to board the bus that had pulled up. I sat down and we waited for the other passengers to board. We were on our way. The girl that was our guide sat  directly in front and explained sights we saw on the way to Pisa and the history of the area. I feel so bad now that I don't remember her name...she was so great. We arrived in Pisa and the weather had turned windy.It had also grown colder but that didn't detract from the beauty of the Leaning Tower and the Basilica. When we arrived in Pisa also were joined by a guide from Pisa ...Ricardo..who explained the history of the buildings that comprise the Pisa complex.The tour lasted about four hours, and we returned late that afternoon a little cold and tired,  but never the less  having enjoyed the tour despite the weather.