Private shore excursion in Italy from Livorno with english speaking driver.

From the ship Celebrity cruises, Norwegian Epic, Disney cruises, Royal Clipper, Oceania Cruises, Costa, Msc, Royal caribbean Oasis of the seas, Allure of the seas, with english speaking driver to Pisa and Florence.
We will pick you up directly from your ship. As you disembark, look for your driver/guide… he will be the one holding a sign with your name on it! Pickup is generally at 8:00 am and we will return you back to port at 5:00 pm. As we reach Pisa, about 40 minutes from Livorno, you will see the Dome, Baptistery and Bell Tower. Pisa’s decline was assured when the Arno River began to silt up. This salt marsh, partly a nature reserve now, divides the city from the sea.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa – in Italian it is called ”Torre pendente di Pisa” or simply The Tower of Pisa. It is situated behind the Cathedral and it was the third structure by time in Pisa’s Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square). Although intended to stand vertically, the tower began leaning to the southeast soon after the onset of construction in 1173 due to a poorly laid foundation and loose substrate that has allowed the foundation to shift direction.

Florence – after visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa you will proceed to Florence. First, your driver/guide will drive you up to the marvellous terrace named Piazzale Michelangelo. To get there you will drive the most scenic road of the city of Florence, with a great view of the entire city. Nearby you will also see the gorgeous white and green marble facade of the S. Miniato al Monte. This church, or basilica, is one of the purest examples of the Florentine Romanesque style. After leaving the church, in this Florence tour, we follow an uphill road, bordered by the ancient city walls, until we reach Forte Belvedere, which was built in about 1590 by the Grand-duke Ferdinand to protect the Medici villas. Driving down from the Fort, passing the old gate to the city, the Porta Romana, we come to the imposing Pitti Palace, which hosts many galleries and museums and a magnificent park named Boboli Gardens. Next we head for the dead center of the downtown, to the Piazza della Repubblica, surrounded by the historical literary cafés, where long ago important intellectuals gathered together. Following the Via De’Calzaiuoli, which connects Piazza del Duomo ( S. Maria del Fiore, the Baptistery, Giotto’s Bell tower) to Piazza Signoria (Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi, etc.) you will be able to admire the best masterpieces of Renaissance art, breathing in the magical atmosphere that only Florence can offer, a marvelous tour of Florence.

From there, we will drive you to the Basilica of Santa Croce, also referred to as the Basilica of the Holy Cross. The Basilica is the largest Franciscan church in the world. Its most notable features are its sixteen chapels, many of them decorated with frescoes by Giotto and his pupils, and its tombs and cenotaphs. Legend has it that Santa Croce was founded by St Francis himself. The construction of the current church, which replaced an older building, was begun on the 12th of May in 1294, possibly by Arnolfo di Cambio, and paid for by some of the city’s wealthiest families. It was consecrated in 1442 by Pope Eugene IV. Inside the building you can see the tombs of artist such as:
MICHELANGELO BUONARROTI;
GALILEO GALILEI;
GIOACCHINO ROSSINI;
NICCOLO’ MACHIAVELLI;
and many others.

Florence was the cradle of Renaissance culture. Through the patronage of the Medici court, the city became the home of artists and people of letters. It was certainly the cultural reference point of the 15th and 16th centuries. During the 13th and 14th centuries, a number of illustrious people were recognized in every endeavor. Giotto, Cimabue, Arnolfo di Cambio and Orcagna left behind their masterpieces in the city of Lily. These provided a model for the entire world of Tuscan and Italian art. In the late afternoon your driver-guide will bring you back to the ship located in Livorno or La Spezia, following the agreed schedule and time.

Florence tours are the most beautiful and interesting thing that you can do in our beautiful Italia. Don’t forget that it’s also possible to have an outlet shopping tour visiting factory outlets of Prada, Gucci, Fendi, Armani, Ferragamo and other famous italian brands. We can take you to the UFFIZI GALLERY or the ACCADEMIA museum, reservation is highly recommended at 2 pm. All of the above are simply suggestions. Depending upon your main interests and the amount of time you have, we can develop a customized itinerary for you.

Please note:
Our driver/guide will pick you up and drop you off at your ship at the conclusion of the tour; Tickets, meals and extras not included.