Day trips from Pisa: 4 epic adventures

Some day trips repay the early train. Plenty don't. These 4 day trips from Pisa are the ones that earn the hours, and each comes with an honest note on what you're really getting.

Cinque TerreThe five jewel-like fishing villages clinging to the Ligurian cliffs: pastel houses, vineyard terraces and turquoise coves, all linked by train and coastal footpaths. Directions
FlorenceThe cradle of the Renaissance: Michelangelo's David, the Duomo, the Uffizi and the Ponte Vecchio, just an hour away by frequent train. Directions
LuccaA perfectly preserved walled city just 30 minutes from Pisa: cycle the broad Renaissance ramparts that ring the whole town, climb the tree-topped Guinigi Tower and wander car-free piazzas. Directions
ViareggioThe grande dame of the Tuscan Riviera, 20 minutes up the coast: Liberty-era beach architecture, a long sandy promenade and classic Italian seaside life. Directions