Livorno

Day Trips

Discover the "Cradle of the Renaissance" and the beautiful miracle square at your own pace with a round-trip transfer service from Livorno. Your journey will be in a comfortable GT coach with air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi, driven by a multilingual assistant for your convenience. You'll receive a free map of Florence and Pisa, as well as receive an emergency number so that everything goes smoothly. Your first destination will be Florence - you will be dropped off at the Piazzale Montelungo next to Santa Maria Novella Train Station, enjoy your free time to explore the sites that interest you the most at your own pace. At 2:30 PM, you will leave Florence and travel to Pisa for 3:30 PM, where you will have at least 70 minutes to visit the famous Piazza dei Miracoli, one of Italy's most famous monuments. At 4:45 PM the bus leaves Pisa to arrive back at Livorno at 5:15 PM. With this transfer service, focus on enjoying these two beautiful cities instead of worrying about transportation.

After meeting with your tour leader, you will begin your trip to Florence in a fully equipped and comfortable bus. En-route, you can prepare to enjoy a day surrounded by art and beautiful Renaissance landscapes. Allow yourself fall in love with one of the most beautiful and artistic cities in the world, Florence. You can stroll through its alleys full of history, and enjoy its charming monuments. Next, discover the most beautiful squares such as Piazza Repubblica. You can take a tour through the streets where the father of the Italian language, Dante Alighieri, used to walk, discover Piazza della Signoria, and take pictures of the emblematic Ponte Vecchio, without a doubt one of the most precious symbols of the city. If you are an art lover, you can optionally visit the Accademia Gallery, one of the most famous museums in the world. There you can admire David, one of the majestic works of art by Michelangelo. If you prefer, you can visit the complex of the Duomo of Florence, an impressive Renaissance construction that will surely take your breath away. After your magical trip to Florence, you will go to Pisa. There, you can explore Piazza dei Miracoli (which you will access through the Santa Maria gate), one of the entrances of the old wall that used to surround the city. Be amazed by the impressive marble monuments and the green grass where you can lie down to admire the famous Leaning Tower, which you can climb if you wish! If time permits, you can go to the beautiful cathedral of Pisa, located next to the Leaning Tower, where you can admire beautiful works of art.

Enjoy a full-day private shore excursion of Pisa and Florence from Livorno Port and discover the cradle of the Renaissance, one of the most important periods for art and architecture in history. Sit back and relax as you drive through the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside. As you approach Florence, drive up the Viale dei Colli to Piazzale Michelangelo for the most impressive views of the city. Follow an uphill road, bordered by ancient walls, to Forte Belvedere, built by the Grand-Duke Ferdinand to protect his Medici villas. Enter the city via the Porta Romana to Pitti Palace, home to the Gallery of Modern Art, Costume Gallery, Palatine Gallery, Royal Apartments, Coach Museum, and Silver and Porcelain Museums, as well as the magnificent Boboli Gardens. The next stop is the Piazza della Repubblica, surrounded by historical literary cafés. Following the Via De'Calzaiuoli, admire masterpieces of Renaissance architecture around the Duomo. Your driver is completely at your disposal and will be happy to take you to Piazza Santa Croce to visit the Santa Croce Church to see where many famous Italians are buried. Cross the elegant Ponte Vecchio, still home to gold and jewelry vendors. For shopping hounds and hungry souls, explore the stores and trattorias of the city center, and sample a scrumptious plate of pasta or grab a smart new leather jacket. The most important street for shopping is Via De' Tornabuoni, with designer boutiques like Prada, Gucci, Armani, Cartier, and much more. You can also discover local crafts in small workshops in the Santa Croce or Santo Spirito neighborhoods. Or practice your bargaining skills at the San Lorenzo outdoor market. In the afternoon, you will drive to Pisa and explore the gentle town as it recalls the days of the Pisan Republic. See the astonishing Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), home to the medieval Duomo, Baptistery, and legendary Leaning Tower.

Enjoy a full-day private shore excursion of Pisa and Florence from Livorno Port, and discover the Cradle of the Renaissance at sites such as the Duomo and Baptistery in Pisa, and Piazza Michelangelo in Florence. A driver will pick you up from your cruise ship at 08:00 for the 40-minute drive to Pisa, a gentle seaside city famed for its Leaning Tower. Head for the Piazza dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles) to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Duomo and Baptistery. After an informative commentary by your driver, feel free to explore the sites on your own before the 1-hour drive to Florence. Your first stop will be Piazza Michelangelo, where you will be rewarded with panoramic views of Florence, before driving to the white façade of Santa Croce Church where Michelangelo and other Renaissance artists are buried. Continue to the Accademia to skip the lines and see Michelangelo's fabled statue of David. Drive to the iconic Duomo area where, during your free time, you can go inside, find a nice spot for lunch, do some shopping, or walk down to the Ponte Vecchio on the River Arno, or Piazza Signoria; home to the Uffizi Gallery.

Escape the hustle and bustle of Florence city center on a full-day tour of the charming villages of Cinque Terre, world famous for its dramatic coastline and terraced towns of painted houses. Following a pick-up from your hotel (or Livorno Port for cruise ship passengers), drive across the rolling hills of Tuscany and past the Carrara marble quarries en route to Riomaggiore. Your driver will tell the history and explain the traditions of the area along the way. Upon arrival in Riomaggiore, look at the boats in the marina, and stroll the colorful streets to browse the local shops. Continue to Manarola, a picture-postcard village of painted houses surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. Transfer by boat (in season) or train to Vernazza, considered the “Pearl of Cinque Terre.” Stop for lunch (own expense) in any of the restaurants on the waterfront. Sample the local cuisine along with a glass of Cinque Terre wine, produced in the region since the 11th century. After lunch, drive along the impressive coast road to Corniglia, the smallest of the 5 villages and the only one that can barely be reached by sea. See the vineyards on the terraces of the Cinque Terre hills, and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area before your transfer back to Florence (or Livorno Port).

Meet your private driver/guide beside your ship at 08:00 AM for the 1.5-hour drive to the delightful fishing village of Portovenere, with its tall and colorful waterfront houses. Enjoy memorable sea views from the promontory where the Church of San Pietro stands. Its Gothic Genovese style dates back to 1256-1277. The church was built on the remains of an early Christian church and Byzantine abbey with parts of a heathen temple from the Roman age. At the foot of the promontory, there is a small grotto named after Lord Byron who took refuge here. From Portovenere, you'll begin your adventure through the five lands of the Cinque Terre, a landscape so unique that in 1998 it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A great way to discover this area is from the sea. You'll have the option of departing from the harbor to enjoy a ferry ride (additional cost) to Vernazza, a great stop for lunch at a restaurant set on the cliffs, looking out across the bay (lunch at own expense). The ferry journey will take you past Riomaggiore and Manarola with great photo opportunities from the sea.  Meet up with your driver and visit either Corniglia set up on the hill or enjoy a stroll around Riomaggiore or Manarola. You could continue on to the larger and busier town of Monterosso, but please note it is not possible to stop at all the villages in one day and for this tour, it is best to keep the day as flexible as possible and see where your journey will take you. At some places, you may wish to consider using the train and if the weather and sea conditions are good, the local ferry will be recommended. Wherever your journey takes you, you will return with wonderful memories to your ship in the port of Livorno at approximately 05:00 PM.

At 08:00, your private driver will meet you beside your ship in the port of Livorno for the short drive to the 11th century powerful maritime republic of Pisa. Enjoy a short driving tour of the city which will lead you to the heart of one of the most important monuments in Italy... the breathtaking Piazza dei Miracoli with its Baptistry, cathedral, Campo Santo Cemetery and Leaning Tower of Pisa. Construction of the cathedral began in 1063 and the baptistery is the largest in Italy. The Leaning Tower of Pisa was begun in 1174, however when the tower reached its third story, work ceased as it started to sink into the ground and lean. It remained like this for 90 years before work commenced again in 1272 but was halted once more in 1284 when Pisa was defeated in battle. The 7th floor was completed in 1319 with the bell chamber finally being added in 1372. The top of the tower can be reached by climbing the 294 steps which rise in the form of a spiral on the inner side of the tower walls (pre-booked tickets recommended at EUR 18 per person). Journey on to Florence (an 1.5-hour drive) arriving into the city through vineyards on the outskirts of Chianti and arriving into Piazzale Michelangelo which offers Renaissance views across the Ponte Vecchio, Duomo and Giotto's Tower. Once in the city center, discover the city's prominent landmarks without too much walking as your driver gives you historic and cultural background information. Visit the splendid Gothic Church of Santa Croce with the tombs of famous artists and writers such as Michelangelo, Galileo and Dante as well as its renowned leather school. Enjoy a stroll around the lively and colorful market of San Lorenzo, where you will also find the Medici Chapels and the Loggia dei Mercanti. Discover splendid piazzas like Piazza del Duomo with the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Giotto's Tower, Piazza della Repubblica - a lively shopping area, beautiful Piazza della Signoria and the Palazzo Vecchio with a copy of Michelangelo's David. If you wish to visit the Accademia Museum to see the real Michelangelo's David, the tickets can be pre-booked for you (at around 16 EUR per person) so you won't have to waste any time standing in long lines. Wander past the huge Uffizi Gallery and across the Ponte Vecchio with its exquisite jewelry stores towards Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens. Break for lunch (at your own expense) - your driver will make suggestions and point you in the right direction or you may be tempted to taste your way around the authentic central food market overflowing with cheeses, salami,  prosciutto, bread, pasta, olive oil and wine. At around 15:30, your minivan will be waiting to take you on the relaxing and comfortable journey back to your ship in the port of Livorno with arrival at around 17:00.

Meet your private driver/ guide at 08:00 as close as possible to your ship's arrival for the pleasant hour drive to the charming medieval city of Lucca. It is a city enclosed and protected through the centuries by an imposing 16th century wall, which is one of the best preserved Renaissance defenses in Europe. The wall has helped keep the city's original features and Roman street plan intact. You may enjoy starting off your day with a bike ride on top of the walls along the beautiful tree-lined promenade where you can peer down into the palazzi and piazzas of the old city or look up to views of the surrounding hills. Bike rental will be an additional (optional) cost paid on the day of your tour at 5 EUR per bike per hour. Discover the city's Roman features with the Church of San Michele in Foro standing on the site of the original Roman forum. It was here that Giacomo Puccini began his musical career as a choir boy. Strolling along the lively shopping street of Via Fillungo, you will arrive at the Church of San Frediano with its 6th century origins. See the tomb of Saint Zita (1278), mentioned by Dante in the Inferno, whose mummified body can be seen through glass. Discover the unique shaped arena, Piazza Anfiteatro, constructed in the 1st century A.D. under Emperor Claudius with 54 arches and a cave able to hold as many as ten thousand spectators in 18 rows of seats. The base of the original amphitheater is now some 3 meters below the center, which was reconstructed in the 1800s as the town's marketplace. The Cathedral of San Martino houses the precious holy relic, the Volto Santo, a cedar wood crucifix said to be a true portrait of Jesus sculpted by Nicodemus, an eyewitness to the crucifixion. Also see the remarkable marble tomb of Ilaria del Caretto and Tintoretto's infamous 'Last Supper.'  The city is filled with artisans and tempting delicatessens offering Tuscan specialties, and Lucca is particularly renowned for its olive oil. Not to be missed are the underground cellars of Enoteca Vanni, offering a tempting selection of wines from all over Italy. Lunch will be at your own cost, and your driver can make recommendations and point you in the right direction. You may even have time to enjoy lunch at a local vineyard on the outskirts of town before taking the short drive to the 11th century powerful maritime republic of Pisa. Enjoy a driving tour of the city, which will lead you to the heart of one of the most important monuments in Italy, the breathtaking Piazza dei Miracoli with its Baptistry, the cathedral, Campo Santo Cemetery and of course, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. You will be free to explore some of the city on foot before meeting up with your driver for the return journey back to your ship in the port of Livorno with arrival at around 17:00.

During this amazing half-day tour, discover all the secrets of the Square of the Miracles with your private local guide. This tour is for people who have never been to Pisa before and would like to spend just half a day on an interesting excursion. However, it could be also for those who have been here before but would like to enjoy the beautiful monuments or climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which can be arranged for you. You will get to know the most famous square in the world. This is your private tour so the schedule and activities can be adjusted to meet your needs. Please feel free to contact the local tour operator with any special requests you may have.

As your cruise arrives in Livorno, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a half-day shore excursion exploring Pisa, a beautiful city approximately 30 minutes from the port. Once in Pisa, you will enjoy a short walk with your expert guide to Miracle Square, where you will find the most precious jewels of Pisa. To access, you'll pass through the Santa Maria gate, one of the entrances of the old wall that used to surround the city. From there you will be enchanted by the beautiful construction, including the white marble of the cathedral and baptistery, and the green grass where you can lie down to admire the astonishing monuments which surround you. You will be free to explore this treasure of Tuscany at your own pace and discover its secrets and history with the stories that your tour leader will tell you during your bus ride. At your tour's conclusion, you will be returned to the port of Livorno.