LIV09 BEST OF FLORENCE, SAN GIMIGNANO & TUSCAN COUNTRYSIDE DRIVE

The tour has been designed for guests who are looking for a truly wonderful and exceptional excursion. After approx. 1.5 hours driving through medieval towns and beautiful surrounding valleys, you will stop at San Gimignano, an enchanting medieval village that takes its name after Bishop Gimignano who saved the city from the barbarians. The Italian Manhattan as it has been called because of its tall, majestic towers, San Gimignano will charm you with everything which makes it a unique town all over the world. You will have time to explore and shop.
Reboard the car and drive to Florence.Visit the Accademia Gallery , Europe's first school of drawing founded in mid 16 th century and visit several masterpieces including Michelangelo's statue of David. Afterwards, proceed to the very heart of Florence and pause at the Cathedral square to view the Duomo, the Baptistry and Giotto's Bell Tower.
The impact and the magnitude of the Cathedral is awesome. The splendid building is adorned with green, red and white marble. The interior houses priceless works of art including Michelangelo's Deposition. Proceed through some of Florence's most elegant streets to the city's largest square, Piazza della Signoria and time permitting the elegant Ponte Vecchio.
Lunch and wine tasting are available for 25.00 euro per person.

Highlights:

- Accademia Gallery
- Duomo, Baptistry and Giotto's Bell Tower
- Tuscan countryide landscapes
- Medieval towns
- Wine tasting in local winery available

Notice:

Complete information including our phone numbers, meeting time and place are included in your confirmation voucher.
Please give your voucher to the driver at the end of the tour. We hand select our drivers and tour guides in order to give you the ultimate experience.
We would love to hear from you after your tour is completed. Your feedback is very important to us so please Send email

Important information

- This tour includes a professional informative English-speaking driver. Due to strict Italian laws & regulations that protect officially licensed guides, our drivers cannot walk with you into any site but can answer any question you have from the vehicle. A Professional licensed guide, where needed, can be hired on request at an extra cost.
- Please dress respectfully when visiting religious monuments; local custom requires covering knees and shoulder.

Inclusions

- Professional informative English-speaking driver
- Private air conditioned vehicle for the day
- Pick up and drop off at the port
- Guaranteed return to the pier on time
- Flexible itinerary

Exclusions

- Lunch and wine tasting
- Admission fees if not mentioned
- Tips to driver and guide ( please read below for more information)

Gratuities

Tips are never included in our quotes.
I think that a tip shouldn't be included in the rate otherwise it would be a tax.
Tip only if you really liked the service.
Tips are a personal gesture and are given whenever the client feels it is necessary.
Tips are generally: 10% not bad - 15 % great - 20 % best tour in my life. Please report any abuse.

Is this a Private tour ?

The tour is private, just for your party, however if you prefer to share your tour with other passengers to alleviate costs, please register and sign in on a popular cruise community website called Cruise critic. This is the link:http://boards.cruisecritic.com Once you have joined, look for your cruise ship and the thread talking about your cruise. Place a post requesting if anyone wants to join you for the shore excursion you have chosen. We would be happy to provide a detailed itinerary and assist you with all the questions your fellow cruisers may have.

Is the driver also a guide?

Our English speaking drivers are NOT licensed guides. In order to provide you with the best-in-class service, our English speaking driving guides have been trained to offer our clients a nice overview with information regarding the major highlights avoiding the expensive charges of hiring a private guide. Due to strict Italian laws & regulations that protect officially licensed guides, our driving guides can comment and explain the sights only from inside the vehicle, but are not allowed to do so once they are outside the vehicle. They are regularly licensed instead to chauffeur the public. We highly recommend that you never book with any touring company that does not make this clear.

Does the driver go with us inside the monuments?

No, only a licensed guide is authorized to accompany you during the visit of sights. Our driver will drop you off close to the sights but will stay with the vehicle for the duration of your visit.

Does this tour include lunch and admission fees to sites?

Lunch and admission fees are not included in the rate. Please contact our office for pricing and reservations.

Can we do wine tasting and lunch?

Wine tasting and lunch are not included in the rate, but on request we can make arrangements for an extra 30-35 euros/person.

Is the itinerary flexible?

Our itineraries are completely flexible, and we will be happy to operate any changes to the original itinerary (within reason). Please contact our office with all the requests you may have so that we can better organize your day.

Do you guarantee the return to the ship on time?

In almost 30 years of business, we have never missed the ship that is why we have organized all itineraries to guarantee your return on time.

Where do we meet the driver?

The driver pulls up to the ship if you are travelling in a small group.Please read your voucher confirmation for the exact details.