Duration : 9 Hours
Escape the crowded cruise line tours on this shared shore excursion to Pisa and Florence from Livorno. With an average group size of only 20 people (and no more than 35), you will enjoy a very personalized experience that differs greatly from the bus tours of 50 or more passengers offered by the cruise lines.
Features of this shared day trip to Pisa & Florence from Livorno:
PISA
On Pisa’s Campo dei Miracoli (Field of
Miracles) you’ll be enthralled by Pisa's most famous monuments: the Duomo
(cathedral), the Baptistery, and the legendary Leaning Tower.
Pisa was once a famous sea-trading republic, and the Cathedral was begun in 1063 to commemorate the Pisan victory over the Saracens that year. Designed as the bell tower of the Cathedral, construction of the Leaning Tower was begun about 100 years later and took over 200 years to build.
Of course, the tower, eight stories tall and constructed of white marble, was never meant to lean! But due to the unstable sub-structure of the ground, the tower began to list when construction got to the third story, and the rest is history.
After the massive feat of stabilization that was done during the 1990s the Leaning Tower is now only about 4 meters off vertical.
FLORENCE
After driving through the picturesque Tuscan countryside along the highway our adventure in the beauteous city of Florence begins. Situated on both banks of the Arno river and surrounded by hills, Florence was the home of Dante, Machiavelli, Michelangelo, and the Medici family, as well being as the cradle of the Renaissance.
Your first look will be from Piazzale Michelangelo, a breathtaking panoramic overview of the city’s tile roofs, bell towers and church domes.
In Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral square) you’ll be in the very heart of Florence. Here you’ll be able to fully appreciate the emblems of the city: the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo), the baptistry and Giotto's bell tower. Prepare yourself; the magnitude and beauty of these structures could very well be overwhelming!
Stroll through the elegant streets to arrive at Piazza della Signoria, the historic center of Florentine life, lined with Renaissance buildings and dominated by the Medieval splendor of Palazzo Vecchio. Pass through the courtyard of the Uffizi gallery to the Arno river, where you’ll be able to take fine photos of Ponte Vecchio, the famous Old Bridge.
Enjoy lunch on a terrace in the piazza or at a traditional trattoria (we can suggest good ones that are not tourist traps).
At Santa Croce church you’ll see another example of exquisite architecture, as well as a novel element in the facade. The church shelters the tombs of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo, and is also known for its frescoes by masters such as Giotto, Gaddi and Taddeo.
Kindly note that this is a SHARED TOUR tour with a set itinerary. For the sake of all participants, please be prepared to respect the time allotted at each stop by your driver. If you have a hard time sticking to a schedule or would like to customize the tour, we encourage you to book a private service.
NOT INCLUDED
Is this tour private?
This tour is not private but shared with other passengers.
What is the the number of participants on the tour?
The average group size is 20 persons and it will not exceed 35 persons in one single vehicle.
Where do we meet the driver/guide?
Your tour departs from the port's transportation hub, located near the main gate of the port. When you exit your ship's security area, please look for the free shuttle bus and on your arrival at the terminal, please look for our local representative holding a “DriverinRome” sign.
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 the tour include lunch and admission fees to the sites?
No tickets or lunch are not included in the rate. Please contact our office for pricing and reservations.
Can we enter the museums in Florence?
Being a shared tour and having a limited itinerary, we do not recommend entering the museums, because it means that you will lose a part of the tour with the rest of the group while you’re inside.
Can we climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
During this tour, you will be given time in Pisa. If you wish to climb the tower, you may do so by availing of the skip the line tickets here: http://www.opapisa.it/en/tickets/buy/ and follow the instructions. It may not be possible to secure tickets until 45 days before the tour date. Please check with the office the best time slot to take.
Does the tour include a guide?
If less than 9 people are in your group, you will travel in a small vehicle with excellent access to all sights and your tour will be led by an English speaking driver guide. If more than 9 people are on your tour, you will travel in a van or minibus that will include a separate driver and guide. Since buses have limited access to the city, additional walking will be involved.
What is the duration of the tour?
The duration of the tour is 9 hours including pick up and drop off at the transportation hub.
Do we follow a standard itinerary or is the itinerary flexible?
Since this is a shared tour, the suggested itinerary is pretty much standard but if you have any specific requests please contact our office and we will do our best to accommodate them.
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.
Is gratuity included in the price?
Tips are never included in our quotes. We think that a tip shouldn’t be included in the rate otherwise it would be a tax!!! Once in Italy do not feel as though you have to tip everyone because someone told you to. Tip only if you really liked the service. Tips are generally: 10% not bad 15 % great 20 % best tour in my life. Please report any abuse.
There will be a full charge for bookings canceled with less than 72-hour notice for any service required. In this case, a full charge will be made on your credit card. If you miss your flight or if your airline decides to cancel the flight due to bad weather or if your flight is directed to another airport on arrival, please advise us on time (as soon as you know) or a full charge will be made.
Please give us enough time so we can accept other reservations and allocate them to our chauffeurs. If the ship does not make it to the pier for bad weather, you will not be considered responsible so NO CHARGE will be made to your credit card. A full charge will be made for a no-show-up.
Only pre-purchased skip-the-line tickets (if requested) are not refundable under the circumstance and will be charged to your card.
Transfer Services activated.