Options other than Florence from Livorno

[yorkiemomjn]

We have been to Florence before and would like some suggestions of other places/things to do the day our ship is there. We will be docked from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The only other place we are aware of is Lucca. What would be considered second-best to Florence?

Thanks!

[rebeccalouiseagain]

Loved the Cinque Terre. We did the ship tour and my father and I agree that there is no way you could do what we did on your own. It was orchestrated perfectly by the tour company. We had a guide and he was fantastic, funny and knew his stuff. He narrated and it was never dull. We saw 4 out of 5 villages and my favorite experience was walking from Riomaggiore to Manarola along the "walk of love" which flat, scenic and just under a mile.

 

If your cruise offers this tour- do it. You will not be sorry. Keep in mind it is a 9 hour tour and we were stuck in traffic in the port but never worried because it was a ship tour and we knew they wouldn't leave without us. I wouldn't go so far from the ship by yourself and risk not getting back in time or being worried about that. Life is too short to worry and this was a great tour (and I hate tours).

[vivian02]

I have to admit this is an easy pick after sailing into that part of Itally four times. You can always do a short train ride over to Pisa if you have not been there before. My number one pick would be Cinque Terre. Maybe I hit the right day but everything about that place I will remember for many years to come. Attached is a picture. Tim

[Hlitner]

We love the OPs question and could happily write a book with the answer. Bottom line is that you have much of Tuscany at your beck and call. For cities we could quickly mention Lucca, Pisa, San Gimignano, Siena, Volterrra, Cole val d'elsa, and on and on. And then there is the wonderful Chianti wine country which lines the S222 road that runs between Florence and Siena. And of course there are the 5 villages (probably 4 1/2after the mud slides of last October) of Cinque Terre. And this is just for starters.

 

Hank

[GT1121]

Cinque Terre is my choice without question! Been once and am returning next month with a ship's tour. You won't regret it!

[yorkiemomjn]

We love the OPs question and could happily write a book with the answer. Bottom line is that you have much of Tuscany at your beck and call. For cities we could quickly mention Lucca, Pisa, San Gimignano, Siena, Volterrra, Cole val d'elsa, and on and on. And then there is the wonderful Chianti wine country which lines the S222 road that runs between Florence and Siena. And of course there are the 5 villages (probably 4 1/2after the mud slides of last October) of Cinque Terre. And this is just for starters.

 

Hank

 

Thank you all for your suggestions! We always do private tours, but I think I would be a little concerned going to Cinque Terre on our own.

 

Hither, we have been to Pisa. If you could choose just one, which one would it be?

[TLCOhio]

Agree with Hank and others on the many wonderful options and potentials in and around Tuscany, this port, etc. First, here are some options and info on wonderful, charming Lucca that we visited last June. More ideas and visual samples to come!

 

Lucca is a bit of contrast/conflict as Europe's mightiest Renaissance walled city that has not seen a battle since 1430. Its ramparts are like a circular park. It is a two-and-a-half mile circuit around the walls. Lucca's walls took lots of work and money, but they combined with clever diplomacy to earned the city a long period of independence, wealth and power.

 

In its heyday, Lucca was packed over 100 towers within its walls. Each tower was the home and private fortress of a wealthy merchant family. Towers were single rooms stacked atop each other: shop, living room and then the kitchen, etc. One of Lucca's tallest surviving tower is famous for being capped with a bushy little forest. As the home town of famed composer Giacomo Puccini, Lucca has many connections with one of the world's greatest opera composers and other artists. Puccini's arias capture the spirit of this wonderful part of Italy.

 

Lucca's appeal is in its relaxed, old-world ambiance. Walk around!! Take the time to let this city unfold to capture your heart. Romanesque churches seem to be around every corner, along with piazzas and interesting architecture. The main pedestrian street is Via Fillungo. Strolling here, past classy old store fronts, you will get a samples of Lucca's rich past and charming present. Piazza Amphitheater was built around an ancient Roman arena. The arena is long gone, but its oval shape is a reminder of the city's classical heritage. Locals have been gathering here for two thousand years. Piazza San Michele also has ancient roots. It has hosted a market since Roman times, when it was the forum. Today, it's dominated by the Church of San Michele.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 95,143 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

 

In Lucca, this is the San Michele church, built in the 11th-14th centuries. It is in the heart of this walled town.:

 

 

 

This photo angle for the San Michele church shows its tower.:

 

 

 

The most famous son of Lucca might be the great composer Puccini. Here is his statute on the main street of this charming town that wonderfully lack much contemporary development. Just lots of historic charm and character.:

 

 

 

Lucca has so many cute and interesting shops. Here is one example that we enjoyed so much. It is the Antico Caffe Dei Simo at Via Fillungo 58. Its origins date back to 1846 and has seen famed artists such as Verdi and Puccini pass through its doors.:

 

 

 

There are many, many churches in Lucca. Here is one of older ones in this walled town. This view is framed by the arches of a nearby building structure.:

 

 

 

In Lucca, this is the Duomo Cathedral, dedicated to St. Martin, built and re-built in the 11th-15th centuries. It has a slim and powerful Campanile. Inside are several famed works of art and sculpture.:

 

[TLCOhio]

San Gimignano is a small, walled, hill town in Tuscany. Famous for its medieval architecture, especially its towers, San Gimignano was founded as a small village in the 3rd century BC by the Etruscans. In the Middle Ages and Renaissance era, it was a stopping point for Catholic pilgrims on their way to Rome and the Vatican. The city flourished until 1348, when the Black Death, affecting all of Europe, compelled it to go under the control of Florence. San Gimignano became a secondary location until the 19th century, when its status as a touristic and artistic resort became famous.

 

Tea with Mussolini, a 1999 drama about the plight of English and American expatriate women during World War II, was filmed in part at San Gimignano. The frescoes that the women save from being destroyed during the German Army's withdrawal are inside the Duomo, the town's main church. Lots of charm and character here in this unique location all of its historic treasures/beauty. Plus, whether needed or not, lots of shops, tourists, etc.!!

 

Is this helping? Reactions and questions?

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 95,143 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

 

In charming and beautiful Tuscany, here is one of the countryside views that we all love to enjoy so much as we were driving to San Gimignano.:

 

 

We had visited San Gimignano in 1999 with our son, but it is a town that is always impressive in history and architectural styles. We had lunch here. Below is a long-shot of the hill town with its tower from the wonderful countryside below and nearby.

 

 

 

Within San Gimignano, here is a view of the main Cathedral Square, etc.:

 

 

 

This is a view in San Gimignano showing the narrowness of its streets, the buildings and flags with one of the main towers that give this hill town its distinct character.:

 

 

 

This is a view of a couple of towers and one of the main squares in San Gimignano.:

 

 

 

Within San Gimignano, here is a view of one of their many charming pottery shops with their great beauty and craft skills. These shops open on to the main walking street.:

 

[Travelcat2]

We went to Lucca and absolutely loved it. The best part was visiting a winery up on a hill overlooking Tuscany. We sipped wine, ate prosciutto, cheese, olives, olive oil and homemade bread. Nothing could have been more perfect. We were able to see the Leaning Tower of Piza in the distance from the freeway but were pleased that we choose to visit Lucca.

[Hlitner]

Thank you all for your suggestions! We always do private tours, but I think I would be a little concerned going to Cinque Terre on our own.

 

Hither, we have been to Pisa. If you could choose just one, which one would it be?

 

When it comes to private tours we cannot be much help since we generally avoid tours (and save thousands of dollars) on most of our trips. But with your long port day we certainly would not hesitate to recommend taking the train to Lucca for the day. You would need a taxi to get to the Livorno train station and you must change trains in Pisa (no biggie). But Lucca is a short walk from the train station and a nice compact city perfect for just strolling and having a nice lunch. A taxi to the Livorno train station will cost about 20-25 Euros (for the entire taxi) which you can split with another couple. The train fare is cheap (not sure of the current fare but it should be no more then 12 Euros). If you prefer to pay a private taxi several hundred Euros you would have no problem finding somebody to drive you there and point you in the direction of the walls :)

 

Hank

[yorkiemomjn]

When it comes to private tours we cannot be much help since we generally avoid tours (and save thousands of dollars) on most of our trips. But with your long port day we certainly would not hesitate to recommend taking the train to Lucca for the day. You would need a taxi to get to the Livorno train station and you must change trains in Pisa (no biggie). But Lucca is a short walk from the train station and a nice compact city perfect for just strolling and having a nice lunch. A taxi to the Livorno train station will cost about 20-25 Euros (for the entire taxi) which you can split with another couple. The train fare is cheap (not sure of the current fare but it should be no more then 12 Euros). If you prefer to pay a private taxi several hundred Euros you would have no problem finding somebody to drive you there and point you in the direction of the walls :)

 

Hank

 

 

I guess I used the wrong terminology by saying private tours. I meant we don't do ship tours, just small 6-8 CC tours. Thanks so much for the Lucca suggestion. :)

[Minoushka]

We did Pisa Lucca and Florence with a guide in a comfy Mercedes van sent by umber to of Italy driver who kept tabs on our well being all day

We really enjoyed the first 2 stops and found Florence way too crowded so we left early

I think Lucca deserve more time charming place

Pisa was a hoot

Loved the area

Next time cinque terre

[anniversay/grad trip]

San Gimignano is a small, walled, hill town in Tuscany. Famous for its medieval architecture, especially its towers, San Gimignano was founded as a small village in the 3rd century BC by the Etruscans. In the Middle Ages and Renaissance era, it was a stopping point for Catholic pilgrims on their way to Rome and the Vatican. The city flourished until 1348, when the Black Death, affecting all of Europe, compelled it to go under the control of Florence. San Gimignano became a secondary location until the 19th century, when its status as a touristic and artistic resort became famous.

 

Tea with Mussolini, a 1999 drama about the plight of English and American expatriate women during World War II, was filmed in part at San Gimignano. The frescoes that the women save from being destroyed during the German Army's withdrawal are inside the Duomo, the town's main church. Lots of charm and character here in this unique location all of its historic treasures/beauty. Plus, whether needed or not, lots of shops, tourists, etc.!!

 

Is this helping? Reactions and questions?

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 95,143 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

 

In charming and beautiful Tuscany, here is one of the countryside views that we all love to enjoy so much as we were driving to San Gimignano.:

 

 

We had visited San Gimignano in 1999 with our son, but it is a town that is always impressive in history and architectural styles. We had lunch here. Below is a long-shot of the hill town with its tower from the wonderful countryside below and nearby.

 

 

 

Within San Gimignano, here is a view of the main Cathedral Square, etc.:

 

 

 

This is a view in San Gimignano showing the narrowness of its streets, the buildings and flags with one of the main towers that give this hill town its distinct character.:

 

 

 

This is a view of a couple of towers and one of the main squares in San Gimignano.:

 

 

 

Within San Gimignano, here is a view of one of their many charming pottery shops with their great beauty and craft skills. These shops open on to the main walking street.:

 

 

Terry in Ohio....I ALWAYS look forward to your responses and most of all your pictures when you answer a question.YOU ARE SO CONCISE AND KNOWLEDGEABLE.

We have been on a Western Med cruise twice and are going again next month aboard the Epic (NCL). We have been to Lucca and Florence previously, and I am thinking about San Gimignano this time around. We have booked a car that is being dropped off to us at Livorno port. We are planning a quick trip to Pisa for the two couples we are travelling with (and haven't been to Italy before) for the quick photo op, and then planning to drive through the Tuscan countryside (still looking for a route if you know of one?)....Can you elaborate on this town a little bit? Perhaps recommend a lunch spot, or must sees, a winery etc...thank you so much for all you do.

[anniversay/grad trip]

Terry....can you recommend a lunch spot in San Gimignano? Perhaps a route from Pisa?