Overall Description

Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Tuscany region and is one of the most beautiful, colorful, romantic and culturally rich cities in Italy. Florence is renowned for its vast museums which contain some of Michelangelo's most famous works. Located in the beautiful Renaissance-influenced Tuscany, both Florence and Pisa offer spectacular sights. In Pisa stands the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, located in the Piazza del Duomo, where medieval art is picturesque and plentiful.

Many churches, such as St. Francis and San Nicola, are situated in Pisa. Florence, also known as the Cradle of Renaissance, houses many known artefacts and monuments such as the Santa Maria del Fiore, Ponte Vecchio, and Michaelangelo's original masterpiece Statue of David. Both are stunning cities that hold history and culture within their ancient stones. The surrounding Tuscan countryside was the inspiration for many Florentine masterpieces, the enduring beauty of the richness of its treasures and their robustness of its cuisine. The city is located 1.5 hours away from the port of Livorno.

Prior to arriving in Florence, stop in the Piazzale Michelangelo and admire one of the most impressive views of the city, nestled in the Arno valley and surrounded by the Chianti hills to the south and the Fiesole hills to the north. Also view the Monuments of Michelangelo (1875) with a bronze reproduction of the four statues depicting Day, Night, Dawn and Dusk, dominated by the Statue of David, which is located in the Academia Museum in the heart of Florence. The driver will then continue driving towards the center of Florence and stop at an agreed location. You will have time to explore the famous historical sites, have lunch in a traditional local restaurant and walk along the sleek shopping boulevards consisting of stores specializing in fine leather and jewelery.

ITINERARY

Once you are all together, you will proceed Florence. An entire day trip dedicated only to Florence, the Heart of Renaissance. The drive to Florence will be framed by the beauty of Tuscany with its rolling hills, vineyards, olive grooves, pine woods and ancient villages… It is interesting to know that Florence is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site and has thirteen state museums which house over 300,000 works of art dating from pre-historic times to the 20th century. Most of the masterpieces originate from the Florentine Renaissance and the Medici period. The highlights of Florence include the Duomo, Santa Croce Basilica, Ponte Vecchio Bridge, Pitti Palace, Medici Chapels, Galileo's Museum History of Sciences, the Synagogue, Santissima Annunziata Church, Leather School, the Boboli Gardens, San Mark Church, Republic Square and Saint Lorenz Basilica. You might choose to visit the Academy of Fine Arts to admire the famous Michelangelo's David Sculpture or the Uffizi Gallery where Botticelli's Birth of Venus is preserved. (See details below) Besides art, Florence is also known for its numerous traditional shops and markets that offer jeweler, mosaics, leather goods, clothing, wine, olive oil and much more. After the tour the driver will driver you back to the port on time.  

Optional
WALKING GUIDE: We offer a private, licensed walking guide in Florence to escort you through the city while giving you additional information on the many incredible historical monuments located in this beautiful city. The cost for a three-hour private tour is 290 Euros to be paid only in cash to the driver at the end of the tour. Note: Admission fees to various monuments will be purchased on site; cost not included. MICHELANGELO'S DAVID MUSEUM: We can reserve "fast track" tickets for this museum at no extra charge. Tickets will have to be paid directly on spot. UFFIZI GALLERY We can reserve "fast track" tickets for this museum at no extra charge. Tickets will have to be paid directly on spot.

End of the tour
Departure: Around 4.00 pm we will start the drive back to the port / hotel to be back on time around 5.30 pm.

• Pick up time: 8 am or as for your confirmation.
• Return time: 4-5pm or as for your confirmation.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT WE RESERVE ALL RIGHTS TO CHANGE THE ORDER OF ITINERARY. IF NECESSARY AT OUR DISCRETION DUE TO NATURAL CAUSES (ENVIRONMENTAL) OR POLITICAL REASONS (STRIKE / PROTEST)

Each additional hour is at the cost of E75.

Transportation
One of our professional, knowledgeable English speaking driver guides will be waiting at pick up location (where you will be tendered) or agreed location at 8 am, or according to the agreed time. Your driver will be holding a sign with your or your party's name on it.

• Ports (Pick up is normally 8am or otherwise agreed upon)
  

  Our escort driver will be waiting at the gangway of your cruise ship or outside the cruise ship terminal. The escort driver will be holding up a sign with the group's name on it. The email that accompanies the voucher you receive at the time of booking will indicate the meeting point for each specific port. We recommend that you meet onboard before exiting the ship. This way you are all together when meeting your escort driver and the tour can commence much more efficiently. Otherwise, the wait time for others will be 20minutes, after which time the tour will proceed.

• Airport
  The escort driver will be waiting at the arrival lobby holding a sign with the name in which the reservation was made under or otherwise stated.

• Hotel
  Escort driver will be waiting at the lobby of the hotel. Normally pick up is 8:30 am or otherwise stated.

• Resident / B & B
  The escort driver will be waiting outside the main doors of the building.