This Shore excursion to Florence and Pisa from Livorno or La Spezia includes Private English-speaking Driver & Air-conditioned Mercedes Car/minivan (according to the number of guests) at your disposal for 11 hours Florence tour with a private English-speaking Guide for 3 hours (only for You).
THE ENTRANCE FEES ARE NOT INCLUDED.
3-hour tour around the historic centre of Florence with an English-speaking guide (private – only for you):
Visit the beautiful centre of Florence: Your tour will begin from the Santa Maria Novella Square, then to the famous Duomo (internal visit). The Duomo of Florence is located close to other buildings and monuments of particular religious significance, including the Baptistery and Giotto’s bell tower. The project of the Cathedral is due to Arnolfo di Cambio, an apprentice and collaborator of Nicola Pisano, one of the most important artists of the end of XIII century. In 1296, the foundation stone for the construction of Duomo was laid. Arnolfo di Cambio had planned it with three naves and vaults. After the death of Arnolfo the construction of the Cathedral lasted for over a century, following the original design but with some variations. At the construction participated artists like Giotto (in 1334) and Brunelleschi (who took charge of the Dome in 1418). In 1412 the Cathedral was dedicated to Santa Maria del Fiore, the Virgin Mother of Christ and protector of the city of Florence.
As already said, behind the Duomo, You’ll find the beautiful Bell tower and Baptistery (external visits). Then You’ll discover Piazza della Signoria with its Fountain of Neptune (Florentines mocked it as The big whitey). The Fountain of Neptune is a sculptural composition made between 1563 and 1575. At the centre of the fountain stands the mighty figure of Neptune realized by Ammannati. It is said that the artist was inspired by a drawing by Leonardo da Vinci in the execution of this work. In the fountain are also bronze statues depicting fauns and nymphs, made by the same artist Ammannati and by some of his young collaborators, including Giambologna. Near the fountain You can see a small disk which marks the spot where the famous Dominican Monk Savonarola was executed. In the middle of the square there is the Palazzo Vecchio (Old Palace), that looks either like a fortress disguised as a palace or a palace trying to be a fort: it was conceived as a palace-fortress for the residence of the Priors and it was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio as a large square block. The building is characterized by a powerful tower above it and is preceded by a series of statues: the Marzocco (a lion, symbol of the city, made by Donatello in 1438. This is a copy, while the original statue is now in the Bargello Museum); Judith (made by Donatello in 1460; again this is a copy of the original statue); then follow the copies of Michelangelo's David and the Hercules and Cacus.
Through the arcades of the Uffizi Gallery You’ll go to Ponte Vecchio. Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in the city, built in its present form in 1345 by Neri di Fioravante with an elegant three-arched structure. Its main feature is the presence of small houses on both sides of the bridge. These small houses are now homes of local craftsmen and jewellery shops. At the end of this tour You’ll visit inside the Basilica of Santa Croce (Basilica of the Holy Cross), the world’s largest Franciscan church, which is significant both for its architecture and for what (and whom) it contains.
From Florence your driver will take you to Pisa.
In Pisa You can admire the amazing square Piazza del Duomo. Famous throughout the world, this square is part, since 1987, of the 50 Italian sites present on the World Heritage list of UNESCO. Because of the presence here of buildings considered masterpieces of the medieval art this square has taken the epithet of Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles). In fact in this square one can find the famous Leaning Tower, the Camposanto, the Baptistry and the Duomo. The Leaning Tower is the symbol of Pisa in the world and it is certainly the most famous tower in the world. The structure is tilted due to a failure in the soil that blocked for a long time its construction. Inside the tower, a spiral staircase leads to the top from where you can admire the beautiful landscape.
SUGGESTIONS:
Take your identity card o passport with you for the free (or reduced) admission to the Basilica of Santa Croce (Florence) and to the monuments of Pisa in Campo dei Miracoli.
