from 3 reviews
up to 9 hrs
Daily Tour
8 people
English
Escape the crowded cruise line tours on this shared shore excursion to Pisa and Florence from Livorno! With a maximum group size of 8, you will enjoy a very personalized experience that differs greatly from the bus tours of 50 or more passengers offered by the cruise lines.
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 the stabilization that was done during In the 1990s, the Leaning Tower is now only about 4 meters off vertical.
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 Renaissance.
At Piazzale Michelangelo, you’ll get 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.
Murrietta
This was an incredible experience