Duration : 9 Hours
Starting From:Been to Florence & Pisa already and looking
for something different? This is
it! Our private shore excursion to San
Gimignano & Volterra from Livorno is something truly wonderful but
completely different. This tour will
take you back many, many centuries to the Medieval.
Features
of this day trip to San Gimignano & Volterra:
After about 90 minutes of driving through the
picturesque countryside Tuscany, you will arrive at San Gimignano, an enchanting medieval village that takes its name from Bishop Gimignano, who
saved the city from the Barbarians.
SAN GIMIGNANO
San Gimignano has been called “the Medieval Manhattan” because of its majestic towers, some of which you can even climb for spectacular views of the territory. Besides the towers, San Gimignano will charm you with its beautiful stone buildings and Medieval architecture, stylish boutiques, and local products (especially the award-winning gelato!).
If you eat too much gelato, no worries! You can work off your ice cream by trekking
up to the fortress. Once inside you’re
likely to find musicians and artists enlivening the scene, and then you can
climb even more stairs to get to the
belvedere with jaw-dropping panoramas of the countryside all around.
For a less strenuous post-gelato activity,
check out the frescoes in the churches of Santa Maria Assunta and
Sant’Agostino, or take a stroll around the exterior of the town to admire the
handsome ancient walls and city gates.
VOLTERRA
The Medieval town of Volterra, founded in
pre-Roman times by the ancient Etruscan civilization that once inhabited
central Italy, sits on a rocky plateau and is protected by medieval ramparts.
Even though Volterra is small there are lots of things to see.
In Piazza dei Priori you will admire the
symmetry and beauty of the square, and really feel that you have stepped back
in time as you gaze at the crenellated clock tower. If you’re crazy about the Etruscans you will want to make a bee-line to the
world-renowned Etruscan Museum; if you prefer Roman history, then the Roman
amphitheatre, which is in excellent shape.
If you were a fan of The Twilight series you can run around and try to find locations
made famous by the books, or maybe a vampire or two. Art lovers will appreciate the fine frescoes
in the Church of San Francesco and the many exceptional works of art in the Pinacoteca.
Shoppers will love the boutiques and alabaster products.
Shutterbugs will be snapping so many shots they’ll be blessing the day
digital cameras were invented.
OPTIONAL WINERY
We can add a wine tasting or lunch at a winery
if you like (should be arranged in advance). The wine region around San
Gimignano is acclaimed for Vernaccia (white).
NOT INCLUDED
1. Is this tour private?
The tour is private, just for your party, however, if you prefer to share your tour with other passengers to alleviate costs, you may find your travel companions to create your small group and divide the costs
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Does this tour include lunch and admission fees to sites?
No tickets or lunch are included in the rate. Please contact our office for pricing and reservations.
5. Does it include a guide?
A guide is not included either. Please contact our office for pricing and reservations.
6. Can we do wine tasting and lunch? Are they included in the price?
Wine tasting and lunch are not included in the rate, but on request, we can make arrangements for an extra 30-35 euros/person.
7. What is the duration of the tour?
The duration of the tour is 9 hours, including pickup and drop off at the ship.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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 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.
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