Type: Culture, Historic Monuments, Walking Tour
Length: 8-9 hours (traffic pending)
Walking: Medium - a lot of walking on uneven surfaces
Mobility: NO wheelchairs
Guide: Driver Guide and Licensed Guide (3 hours)
Language: English

Livorno Shore Excursion- This tour is best for those who want to learn detailed information about the history of Florence and its many historic monuments and buildings. After a three hour walking tour you enjoy free time before returning to Livorno.

After meeting your driver guide at the pier in Livorno, your exploration begins with a drive through the lovely Tuscan countryside to Florence. As an introduction to Florence a stop at the Piazzale Michelangelo is your starting point. From this look out point there are beautiful panoramic views of the Renaissance city of Florence. Next you drive into the city center where you meet your licensed guide and enjoy a 3 hour walking tour of Florence.

In the heart of Florence you visit the Piazza del Duomo which has been the religious center of the city since the 13th century. In this square you see the looming Gothic Cathedral whose Renaissance dome was designed by Brunellesci and at the time was a major advancement in architecture. Right nearby is Giotto's bell tower which is a free standing building. You also see the Baptistery with its bronze doors commonly referred to as the Gates of Paradise. Your guide will tell you about the history of these doors and why they are considered one of the masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance.

Next you visit the Piazza della Signoria which has been the political hub of the city for hundreds of years. In this square you see a copy of Michelangelo's David in the outdoor setting for which it was originally designed. In this same square you'll see the 14th-century Loggia, which houses several famous sculptures. Also on the square is the grand Palazzo della Signoria or Palazzo Vecchio, Florence's most famous and imposing palazzo, once home to the reigning Medici family.

Nearby you see the massive complex which houses the Uffizi Gallery which houses the largest collection of Italian Renaissance paintings, making it the artistic center of Florence. For many people, the building itself is a piece of art.

Depending on time and your enjoy level, you might also visit Piazza Santa Croce. This square boasts the largest Franciscan church in Italy. The Santa Croce Church houses the tombs of great Florentines including Michelangelo, Machiavelli, the composer Rossini, as well as a memorial to Dante.

You end your tour with a walk over the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge which was built in 1220. This bridge crossing the Arno River is lined with shops that traditionally sell gold and silver. There is a passageway above the shops that connected the Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery to the Pitti Palace.

After three hours you say goodbye to your licensed guide and then enjoy free time for lunch (meal not included) and possibly a short amount of shopping.

At the end of the day, you are brought back to the pier in Livorno.