SHORE EXCURSIONS

Take a scenic drive through the countryside to the magnificent city of Florence. Pause in the Piazza del Duomo to admire the exterior of the Cathedral (Duomo) of Santa Maria del Fiore, its elaborate Gothic façade is covered in a mix of pink and green marble.

View the statues in the Piazza della Signoria on your way to the Ponte Vecchio, the medieval stone bridge was the first bridge built across the River Arno, and has been well known for its goldsmiths and jewelers since the 16th century. Lunch is included at a local restaurant, and after the meal you'll have free time to explore on your own or to shop, before your tour continues to the historic town of Pisa. Here, you'll make a brief photo stop in Miracle Square for a look at the exterior of that famous Leaning Tower. Built in the 12th century, it began to lean soon afterwards, but has now been stabilized.

If you want to explore these fascinating places on your own, we are pleased to provide a motorcoach transfer to Florence and Pisa, complete with an English speaking escort. You'll visit Pisa first, to avoid the heavy traffic entering Florence in the morning. Arriving in Pisa, your escort will walk you to the famous Miracle Square to enjoy some free time to take pictures of the Leaning Tower. Continue to Florence, where in the early afternoon, you'll be dropped off at a central location in Florence and have approximately 3 1/2 hours to explore the city at your leisure.

The Leaning Tower and Tuscan wines - what a perfect combination! Enjoy a day filled with the sites, aromas and tastes of Tuscany.

After meeting your guide in Pisa and a brief orientation of the Field of Miracles, you'll be free to explore the magnificent sites on your own. See the Leaning Tower and discover Pisa's superb black and white marble enhanced Duomo. If you wish to enter the cathedral, you may do so on your own.

The Tuscan hills are home to some of the finest wines in the world, including Chianti. Enjoy a ride through the Italian wine country to visit a famous wine producer, tour the winery, and learn how Tuscan wines are created. Enjoy a typical Italian lunch in this privileged setting and sample a variety of house wines and olive oil. Ending your meal with a taste of Vin Santo - a sweet dessert wine.

This very scenic section of the Italian Riviera is characterized by small sandy beaches among the rocks, high cliffs, caves and tiny bays. What makes it so unique are the five appealing villages with their pastel houses stacked up the cliff face like an array of colorfully wrapped presents. They are connected to each other only by hiking trails, trains and an occasional boat. You'll have the opportunity to explore three of these delightful hamlets on this tour.

Manarola is the quintessential Italian seaside town, and here you'll be free to wander on your own, perhaps stopping by the 14th century church or the pleasant beach. Then board a motorboat for a scenic cruise weather permitting, that will take you to the charming fishing village of Vernazza, crowned by a castle. The colourful buildings of this little gem cluster around a small cove.

Monterosso is said to be one of the most picturesque towns in Italy, and is considered a Cinque Terre "don't miss." After an introduction by your guide, you'll have free time to explore the tiny shops and have lunch on your own. Take a look at the cathedral, lined inside with black and white stripped pillars, relax on the broad sandy beach, or stroll along the seaside boardwalk. Afterwards by train to reach Levanto for your return by bus to Livorno.

Behold some of the world’s most impressive Byzantine mosaics, which adorn the walls and ceilings of Ravenna’s 6th-century basilicas and mausoleums.

Depart from the pier and enjoy a brief drive through the ancient city of Ravenna. After a photo stop at the 6th-century Mausoleum of Theodoric, a rotunda-shaped tomb that the emperor built for himself, you’ll arrive at the city center and begin your walking tour.

Ravenna is revered for its well-preserved Byzantine mosaics, and you’ll see them in all their glory at sights such as the Sant’Apollinare Nuovo basilica, which Theodoric also built. Most of the original mosaics depicting the life of Christ still exist, and the colors are vibrant, even after 1,500 years.

You’ll also tour San Vitale Basilica, whose Byzantine mosaics are considered the finest in the western world. Be sure to note the glittering mosaics in the ceilings of the choir and apse. More spectacular mosaics await you at the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, which dates even earlier to 430 A.D. The Roman empress who commissioned the tomb was never buried here, but it certainly would have been a grand final resting place.

Nearby, you’ll find the tomb of the poet Dante, who died in Ravenna in 1321 while exiled from Florence. The mound of dirt to the right of his tomb is where Dante’s urn was buried to protect it when Ravenna was bombed during World War II.

An hour of free time follows your walking tour, after which you’ll return to the pier.

Capture the moment by taking the perfect selfie photo in Florence & Pisa! Instantly share your experience with family & friends on your favorite social media site selfie experts will teach you how to take the best selfie photo including composition, posing, lighting etc. Capture the spirit of this incredible destination.

Your tour will start with a scenic drive from the ship to Piazza della Signoria. Your walking tour will have designated selfie stops at:
• Santa Maria de Fiore Cathedral
• Piazza della Repubblica
• Ponte Vecchio
• Piazzale Michelangelo
• The Tower of Pisa

Drive through the countryside en route to the historic town of Pisa, located on the banks of the Arno River. Enjoy a short trolley ride that takes you directly to Miracle Square, next to the famous Leaning Tower. Your walking tour begins near Miracle Square. During World War II, much of Pisa was destroyed by German and Allied bombing, however the cathedral, baptistery and famous Leaning Tower escaped unharmed. There'll be some free time to admire the exterior of the campanile, better known as the Leaning Tower and enjoy some coffee or browse for souvenirs in Pisa before returning to your ship.

Want to explore Florence on your own? We are happy to provide a motorcoach transfer to Florence complete with an English speaking escort. You'll be dropped off at a central location in Florence and have approximately five hours to explore the city, shop and enjoy lunch at your leisure. Motorcoach drop-off and pick-up points will be provided by the Shore Excursion Desk on board your ship.

Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance, offers so many treasures of art and architecture that its entire historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fortunately with the highlights so centrally located, it is ideally suited to a walking tour. You'll stop at the Piazza Michelangelo for an overview of the city's tiled roofs, steeples and domes.

Visit the Accademia Gallery for an up-close introduction to Michelangelo's famous David. The 17-foot-tall statue depicts not the king, but the youthful shepherd who slew Goliath. You'll have a reserved time for entering to avoid the long line. Have a look at the exterior of the Cathedral (Duomo) of Santa Maria del Fiore, its elaborate Gothic façade covered in a mix of pink and green marble.

View the statues in the Piazza della Signoria on your way to the Ponte Vecchio, the medieval stone bridge that was the first bridge built across the River Arno, and has been well known for its goldsmiths and jewelers since the 16th century. Admire the exterior of the beautiful Basilica of Santa Croce, burial site for the city's larger than life citizens, including Michelangelo, Rossini, Machiavelli and Galileo. Enjoy some free time for lunch, to explore further or do some shopping.

Travel in a small group to Florence, stopping en route in Pisa's Miracle Square, for photos of the medieval cathedral and its bell tower, which you will recognize immediately as the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Begin your visit to Florence with the stunning view from the Piazza Michelangelo over the city's tiled roofs, steeples and domes. Then immerse yourself in one of the world's great art collections at the impressive Uffizi Gallery, where you'll have reservations that enable you to avoid the long lines. Heaven for art lovers, the works here are all considered true masterpieces, created by artists such as Michelangelo, Rafael, Rembrandt and Goya.

Admire the Piazza della Signoria on your way to the Ponte Vecchio, the medieval stone bridge that was the first built across the River Arno, and has been well known for its goldsmiths and jewelers since the 16th century. Pause in the Piazza del Duomo and take in the magnificence of the grand Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, its elaborate Gothic façade covered in a mix of pink and green marble. During the tour, you'll enjoy free time for lunch and shopping, before making a stop at a showroom specializing in discounted gold items.

If you want to explore fascinating Florence on your own and also indulge in the flavours of the world famous wines of its surrounding countryside, this is the perfect tour for you. You'll travel to Florence via motorcoach with an English-speaking escort and then visit a wine producing estate. You'll be dropped off at a central location in Florence and have approximately 3 1/2 hours to shop and explore the city at your leisure. At the end of your free time you'll meet your escort and reboard your coach for a ride of approximately 1 hour to Castello del Trebbio. Built by the Pazzi family in 1184, in 1968 it was purchased and restored by the Baj Macario family who currently live and work in the castle. The family run estate offers high quality products such as wine and extra virgin olive oil. You'll visit the castle and the cellars, while listening to the glorious history of the place turned into the up-to-date reality of wine and olive oil makers. After tasting the wines accompanied by Tuscan specialties, you'll have some free time to wander amongst the grapevines and olive trees or simply relax and enjoy the views before the return drive.

This is an ideal option for those who don't want to miss going to Florence but have difficulty with the extensive amount of walking that the other tours require. Before entering Florence, you'll stop at a leather factory where you'll see artisans at work as well as have the opportunity to do some shopping. Proceed to Michelangelo Square for a magnificent view of the city and a great photo opportunity. You'll then go on a panoramic ride along the hills of Florence and the Arno River. Your coach will leave you near St. Croce Square with its many shops, restaurants and cafes. Ponte Vecchio and Signoria square are only a few minutes walk away. You'll have approximately 1 1/2 hours of free time to enjoy Florence on your own. At a designated time, you'll meet your escort for the ride back to Livorno.