Florence Immersion

Florence Immersion Photo #1 of 2 Photo copyright ShoreTrips.com.

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.

In your air-conditioned vehicle, you will ride the hour to Florence in comfort, stopping first at 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.

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 stopping at the Republic Square, the site of the Old Jewish Ghetto. Then, stop at the picturesque Piazza della Signoria.

From here, you may choose to visit the Uffizi Gallery, where Botticelli's famous The Birth of Venus painting is located or the Basilica di Santa Croce (Basilica of the Holy Cross), where Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, and Rossini are all buried.

Then stop at the Ponte Vecchio (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.

If time permits, your last stop will be at the huge Pitti Palace, a large, mainly Renaissance palace located on the south side of the Arno.

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.
- Entrances are not included in the tour cost, but must be reserved in advance if you wish to visit certain museums. We will ask for your selections during check out. Tickets to the Accademia are about 20€ per ticket per person and to the Uffizi are about 28€ 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.
- If you choose to go inside Santa Croce, the entrance fee for adults (over 18) is 8 Euro and teenagers (ages 11-18) is 6 Euro. Children (under 11) are free.
- 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.
- Please note that due to an increased number of tourists, the wait time for the Accademia and Uffizi galleries can be up to 1 hour. Due to this, your itinerary may vary slightly from what is listed in the description and some stops may be omitted.

- The Accademia and Uffizi are closed on Mondays. We will substitute other sites.
- Please note that pre-reserved tickets are non-refundable. If you don't use your reserved tickets, you will still be charged the full cost of the ticket.
- Please note that on the first Sunday of each month many tourist sites in Italy have free admission. This can often result in long lines. If you are staying at a hotel, it may be beneficial to avoid booking a tour involving inside visits to major attractions on these days. If you have questions, contact ShoreTrips.
- Modest dress is required in all Italian churches. If you expect to enter a church during your tour, please do not wear shorts, sleeveless tops, skirts above the knee, or revealing clothing. If preferred, you may wear a shawl to cover your shoulders. This applies to children as well.
- 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
• 09:30 AM, duration: 9 hours Only for ships that arrive at 9 AM.