No, Pisa is not a must. I just figured it would be one of those things easy for them to go back home and say "they saw it"...

I guess because we're trying to do without much pre-booking, anywhere safe and decent should be okay (B&B, motel, hotel for the one night places) In Rome and or Venice, if I'm going to be more than one night, then I would like a little bit better hotel (chain indifferent, although I havw some points and status with BW)

I looked at their page, but was not certain if I can order one for a short trip, if it costs too much in addition to the toll itself, and if they will sell it for a non Italian bank account/credit card holder)