Overview
Enjoy a full day in Florence with an expert guide.
Your trip will begin at the cruise ship pier, where you will be met by your private, licensed driver/guide, who will accompany you during your adventure.
This tour includes:• Round trip transportation from the cruise ship pier in an air-conditioned vehicle
• English-speaking driver/guide
Visit/see:• Republic Square
• Old Jewish ghetto
• Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore
• Battistero
• Accademia
• Basilica di Santa Croce
• Uffizi Gallery
• Pitti Palace
• Old Bridge area
In your air-conditioned vehicle, you will ride the hour to Florence in comfort, stopping first for a beautiful view on the hills overlooking the city before driving downtown to stop at the Republic Square and the Old Jewish Ghetto. Then you'll make your way to the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, the Duomo of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Florence. This cathedral, the third to be built in Florence, was the largest in Europe when it was completed, with room for 30,000 people. It is noted for its high, octagonal-ribbed dome that is Brunelleschi's most famous masterpiece.
Next, head to the Battistero with its famous bronze gates, before coming to the Accademia where the original
David by Michelangelo is located (if you choose to reserve tickets you will be able to avoid the lines!). The sculpture has been housed here since 1873, when it was moved from its previous outdoor location on Piazza della Signoria.
Your next stop is the Basilica di Santa Croce (Basilica of the Holy Cross), where Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, and Rossini are all buried. From here, you may choose to visit the Uffizi Gallery or the huge Pitti Palace, a large, mainly Renaissance palace located on the south side of the Arno, a short distance from the Ponte Vecchio.
Your last stop will be the Old Bridge area, with its medieval roads and Renaissance palaces. If you are interested, you will have the opportunity to stop in some of the workshops to visit the craftsmen.
At some point, stop for lunch (on your own) and some shopping. You will have about one hour to shop for leather, gold, Tuscany pottery, shoes, water colors, or other Florentine treasures.
• Lunch and entrance fees are not included in the price of this tour.
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Please wear long pants or dresses to the knees, and make sure that your shoulders are covered, otherwise you cannot enter the Duomo of Santa Croce. • Tickets to the Accademia and the Uffizi are about 15€ per ticket per person. You will pay this fee in cash directly to the driver at the time of the tour.
Please note that if you are making a last-minute booking, especially during the high season, we cannot guarantee that you will have tickets reserved. Pre-reserved tickets are non-refundable.• On Mondays, the Uffizi and Accademia are closed and will be substituted with other stops.
• We have found that there may be a rare occurrence of a port change from Livorno to La Spezia. La Spezia is accessible to the same sightseeing as Livorno, but is a slightly longer ride. This port requires an increase in cost as the distance from these highlights is further. Your guide will be waiting for you as you disembark. You may have an adjustment to your tour itinerary depending on your exit time, but be assured that your knowledgeable driver/escort will direct you to a satisfying day. This change is an exception to our policy that ship changes will result in a refund. People have been too disappointed sitting on the ship after this itinerary change and we feel this is in the best interest of the traveler. The total additional cost is $215. We apologize for your difficult day, but promise that the sun will shine as soon as you meet your driver.
Days offered: 7 days a week
Departures:- 08:00 AM, duration: 9 hours
