La Spezia Shore Excursion

This La Spezia shore trip is perfect for first time visitors to Florence and Pisa. You see the top monuments and site plus enjoy a flexible schedule to shop and enjoy lunch without too much hand holding. Your driver guide makes suggestions, but ultimately you decide how to spend your time.

Your driver driver will meet you at your cruise ship in La Spezia. Your exploration begins with a 2 hour drive through the lovely Tuscan countryside to Florence. As an introduction the Renaissance city, a stop at the Piazzale Michelangelo is your starting point. From this look out point there are beautiful panoramic views of the city.

Next you drive into Florence, which is mostly a pedestrian zone. However, your driver-guide can navigate the vehicle to get you to key places in the city so you can enjoy the maximum amount of sightseeing. The places typically visited include the Cathedral Complex where you can see the Gothic Duomo, Giotto's bell tower and the Baptistry bronze doors. Then you are brought to Piazza della Signoria to see a copy of Michelangelo's David in the outdoor setting for which it was originally designed. Also at this location is the 14th century loggia and the Palazzo Vecchio, once home to the Medici Family.

A stop is also included to walk on the Ponte Vecchio which was built in 1220. This bridge crossing the Arno River is lined with shops that traditionally sell gold and silver. There is a passageway above the shops that connected the Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery to the Pitti Palace.

Another popular stop is in Santa Croce which is famous for the church where Michelangelo and other famous Florentines are buried. The square is also filled with cafes so often lunch is at this location. If you are interested in shopping for leather on your trip, Florence is the ideal city for it, and there are many quality leather shops near Santa Croce.

Later this afternoon you drive to Pisa to visit the Piazza dei Miracoli or Field of Miracles. This is pedestrian area is one of the finest architectural ensembles in the world, including the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Duomo (cathedral), a Romanesque masterpiece dating back to the 11th century. If you are looking for a last minute souvenir or an afternoon Italian ice cream, you can also find it here.

At the end of the day, you return to La Spezia.