No, I’m not practicing the alphabet. That’s what one American tourist exclaimed as he was admiring the Leaning Tower of Pisa one sunny afternoon.

No joke, I was there admiring the tower too and I heard him… I guess some people express their love in weird ways…

As crazy as that sounds, this post isn’t actually about what one man said to a tower – just so you know, we’re not talking about a kid here either – the guy looked to be at least 30.

Instead it’s about: How to Avoid Getting Caught in a Tourist Trap In Pisa.

But before I get onto that, I always thought the world’s fascination with Pisa was a little exaggerated. All that fuss over a leaning tower is hardly justified.

And I’m not alone either, I’ve never heard an Italian who wasn’t from Pisa say they liked the city. They think it’s ugly and overrated and has nothing to see other than that tower.

In actual fact, they’re often annoyed about its celebrity, upset that their equally beautiful cities and towns don’t get the same kudos – and, between you a me, they’re probably a little jealous too!

But back to the tourist traps. As Pisa population ratio is 900 tourist to 1 local all year round, it’s almost impossible not to get taken for a ride

When you arrive in Pisa, (hopefully you didn’t catch a taxi and if you did check your prices on the web before you go because taxi drivers love to take advantage of tourists – you can pay up to double the normal fare!) steer clear of any of the shops or restaurants around the tower.

I don’t get why people think their relatives want a Tower of Pisa key chain that was made in China as a memento. I don’t think they care that you paid €5 for it and it snapped in your luggage because it was badly made!

If you want to buy family a gift, stray as far away from the tower as your little legs can take you.In the back streets of Pisa you’ll find heaps of gorgeous shops selling handmade paper, real leather purses, those silk scarves that I think symbolises this part of Tuscany and plenty of other knick knacks – all at a far better price.

The same goes for food. The restaurants around the tower that say they’re selling authentic Italian food aren’t. If you could care less be my guest. But remember: Italians aren’t the most honest race, they know tourists can’t tell the difference between good and bad Italian so they cut corners and make you pay an arm and a leg for tomato sauce that comes out of a jar.

Go to the restaurants the locals go to. Have a wander around the back streets and pick small, homely looking trattorias. Don’t get distracted by the decorations, a good decor does not necessarily mean good food. And always follow my rule: if the restaurant is full and everyone is speaking Italian, you’ve hit the jackpot!

Don’t worry if the menu isn’t in English, most Italian waiters speak English and pasta is pasta in Italian too!

Finally, like all of Italy, Pisa is teeming with pickpockets. Don’t take bird seed from anyone. Don’t let anyone distract you with magic tricks. If a gypsy girl asks you if you speak English, say no and run away.

Hold onto your cash and enjoy the tower. Oh and don’t let restaurateurs intimidate you into eating at their restaurant- and don’t expect to find a restaurant open after 2pm or a shop open between 1pm-4pm.

And definitely go up the tower – the view is incredible!!