This flexible Tuscany shore excursion from Livorno has no fixed itinerary, and it is built around the towns and countryside outside Florence. If you have already seen Florence on a previous trip, or you would simply rather spend your day among Tuscany's smaller cities, hill towns and vineyards, your driver guide meets you at the pier, talks through your interests, and shapes the day around them.
Tuscany outside Florence breaks into a few distinct areas within reach of Livorno. Closest to the port is Pisa, about 12 miles (19km) away, known for the Piazza dei Miracoli and its Leaning Tower. A little further is Lucca, about 30 miles (48km), a Renaissance city still fully enclosed by its 16th century walls. To the east, the Chianti wine region, roughly 64 miles (103km) from Livorno, is a landscape of vineyards and hill villages, including Greve, Castellina, Radda and Panzano. Further into central Tuscany, Volterra, about 44 miles (71km) away, and San Gimignano, about 51 miles (82km) away, are medieval hill towns built on Etruscan foundations. Siena, the furthest at roughly 78 miles (126km), is a Gothic city built around one of Italy's great medieval squares. Covering more than one of these in a single day means prioritizing, since driving time alone can run from under an hour to Pisa up to two and a half hours round trip to Siena.
Because the day is unscheduled, it works well shaped around a specific interest rather than a generic sampler. A few starting points:
For architecture and history, Pisa's Piazza dei Miracoli and Lucca's Renaissance walls and old town pair naturally, both within an hour of the port and light on driving time.
For wine and food, Chianti's hill villages, Greve, Castellina, Radda and Panzano, suit guests who want the countryside over another cathedral. If you request a wine tasting in advance, we can arrange one at a local recommended winery. Wine tastings are becoming more reservation based these days, and a tasting fee may be required; details will be provided upon your reservation.
For medieval towers and Etruscan history, San Gimignano's surviving towers, of an original estimated 72, and Volterra's Etruscan museum and alabaster workshops make a strong pairing, though the driving distance between them means less time in each.
For Gothic art and grand civic architecture, Siena's Piazza del Campo and striped marble Duomo are worth a day largely on their own, given the distance from Livorno.
For a slower, scenic day, some guests prefer simply driving through the Tuscan countryside with photo stops at vineyards, cypress-lined roads and hill town overlooks, without committing to a specific town at all.
This format also suits groups with limited walking ability particularly well, since there is no set schedule to keep. Your guide gives commentary and recommendations from the vehicle throughout the day, then remains with the vehicle while you have free time to explore each town at your own pace, going as far as you like and returning when you are ready. There is no group pace to keep up with beyond your own.
Your driver guide provides commentary throughout the day and gives you recommendations on the most interesting things to see in each town, then remains with the vehicle while you explore on your own free time. Because the itinerary is open, we cannot guarantee you will see everything you have in mind within your chosen time; traffic and weather affect drive times to the places you wish to visit. If you decide to go inside any sites, admission fees are paid locally and are not included in the tour price. It is not possible to visit the Cinque Terre on this tour.
At the end of the tour you are brought back to the pier.
Mobility: Folding wheelchair OK, some sites may be inaccessible (advance notice required)
Review Location- Livorno 
