Florence, Pisa & Leaning Tower Shore Excursion from Livorno

This tour is best suited for those who wish to maximize their time by having a very organized itinerary. In Florence you have a licensed tour guide who provides a walking tour of the city and you choose to visit either the Accademia or the Uffizi Gallery. In the late afternoon you stop to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

After meeting your driver guide at the pier in Livorno, your exploration begins with a drive through the Tuscan countryside to Florence, roughly 80 to 100 kilometers (50 to 60 miles) away. As an introduction to Florence, you stop at Piazzale Michelangelo, a scenic terrace designed in 1869 by the architect Giuseppe Poggi during Florence's brief period as the capital of newly unified Italy. The square takes its name from the bronze copy of Michelangelo's David standing at its center, cast from the original marble statue, along with bronze copies of his four Times of Day allegorical figures from the Medici Chapel. From this terrace you get one of the best panoramic views in the city, looking out over the Arno River to the Duomo's dome and the rooftops of the historic center below.

Next you drive into Florence's historic center and meet your licensed guide for a walking tour of the city's landmark sites. You'll see the Duomo, Florence's cathedral topped by Brunelleschi's dome, an engineering achievement completed in 1436 without wooden supporting scaffolding, still the largest brick dome ever built. Nearby stands the Baptistery, its eastern doors known as the Gates of Paradise, ten gilded bronze panels by Lorenzo Ghiberti depicting scenes from the Old Testament that took him 27 years to complete. Your guide also points out Giotto's bell tower, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Loggia, and the Ponte Vecchio spanning the Arno.

Your guide also joins you in the museum of your choice, the Accademia or the Uffizi Gallery. The Accademia Gallery features Michelangelo's David and the prisoner statues, an excellent option for those who prefer a short museum visit. The Uffizi Gallery is the largest collection of Italian Renaissance paintings and is recommended for more serious art lovers. You choose the museum of your choice at the time of reservation so we can have VIP tickets ready so you avoid major lines.

After exploring Florence with your licensed guide you have free time for lunch (meal not included) and a short amount of time for shopping.

Later this afternoon your driver guide brings you to Pisa to visit the Piazza dei Miracoli or Field of Miracles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This pedestrian area is one of the finest architectural ensembles in the world, including the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Duomo (cathedral), a Romanesque masterpiece dating back to the 11th century. If you are looking for a last minute souvenir or an afternoon Italian ice cream, you can also find it here.

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

Mobility: Folding wheelchairs OK, some sites may be inaccessible (advance notice required)