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.

San Gimignano
Located in the Elsa Valley, San Gimignano is a splendid treasure hidden in the heart of the famous Tuscan countryside. The first buildings that will catch your eyes are the majestic medieval watchtowers where wealthy families lived and were well protected from enemy attacks. As you turn left and right, admire every building of this charming village where locals still live peacefully. It is a quiet village that has descended through time from the Etruscan period to the Romans, from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance and from the Medici and the Lorena nobility. San Gimignano has always been extremely important for an economy based on agriculture. Fifteen watchtowers are visible today (seventy-two existed in the Middle Ages) and tourists have heard it referred to as the "Medieval Manhattan".

ITINERARY

Florence-San Gimignano
Once picked up -proceed straight to Florence, the capital of Tuscany and the symbol of Renaissance. While approaching the town we will cross the countryside of the Chianti area, famous for wine production. Here you can admire the vineyards and olives on the hillsides and, in summer, vast fields of sunflowers. Once we arrive to Florence you will see all the main sights this beautiful town has to offer, starting from Michelangelo's Square lookout and heading to the Duomo, Giotto's Bell Tower, St. John Baptistry, Ponte Vecchio and the Signoria Square. If you wish so, you can have time for some shopping in the stores or at the leather markets. We will get back on the road before lunch and drive through the countryside towards the medieval village of San Gimignano, known for its architecture and local goods. You will have a traditional Tuscan lunch accompanied by the excellent Chianti wine. You will also have time for wandering around, doing some shopping, and tasting the best gelato in the World.  

End of the tour
Return to pick up location between the hours 4-5pm. Driving across the rolling hills of Tuscany.

• 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.