Ride down the Arno River from Florence to Pisa and be amazed by the glorious legacy of this proud republic that dominated the western Mediterranean for centuries. Majestic palaces rising from the banks of the Arno will let you know that your private van is reaching its destination. The famous Leaning Tower is only one of four white marble architectural marvels on the "Plaza of Miracles," a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The others include the magnificant 11th-century Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, which reportedly inspired Galileo. A maritime power that rivaled and for a while surpassed Genoa and even Venice, Pisa was already considered an old settlement by the Romans. Eventually its power waned, but the legacy remains. One of the more modern landmarks you will see is the Palazzo della Carovana, which houses the Scuola Normale and serves as the headquarters of one of the most prestigious universities in Europe.