Excursion Guided tour of florence tour at Livorno

Discover the exquisite beauty, art and architecture of Florence during a full-day tour of this historic city, along with some time for independent shopping and exploration.

Florence is the Italian city most celebrated by artists and poets. Each street, palace and building is living evidence of its glorious past and proud people.

Depart the pier in Livorno via coach for the approximate two-hour drive to Florence, with a comfort stop made en route. Upon arrival, meet your guide and commence your walking tour of the city.

Upon arrival in Florence, your escort will accompany you from the parking lot to meet your tour guide for a guided walk of the city.

Ponte Vecchio

Your guided tour includes Ponte Vecchio, also known as the 'Old Bridge'. Ponte Vecchio dates back to 1345 and is the only bridge in Florence to escape being blown up during World War II. It originally housed the workshops of the butchers before they were driven away by the Grand Duke, Ferdinando I, due to the terrible noise and stench they created. Ponte Vecchio was subsequently used as a workplace for goldsmiths and silversmiths; their shops still remain here to this day.

Piazza della Signoria

Located closed by Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria is Florence's second major piazza, and the political centre of the city because of its Town Hall, or 'Palazzo Vecchio'. The Piazza della Signoria is also known as an open-air museum thanks to its many statues, which include Cellini's Perseus, Giambologna's The Rape of the Sabine Women, Ammannati's Neptune Fountain and a replica of Michelangelo's famous David.

Piazza del Duomo

Your next visit will be Piazza del Duomo with an external visit of St. Mary of the Flower Cathedral. The church is adorned with an impressive façade decorated in white, green and pink Tuscan marble. Highlights to be seen during your visit include the Bell Tower, designed in 1334 by Giotto, and the Baptistery. Its celebrated doors, known as the 'Gates of Paradise', were commissioned in 1401 and designed by Lorenzo Ghiberti.

Piazza della Repubblica 

The final stop on your guided tour is Piazza della Repubblica is one of the most important and iconic squares in Florence, not just for its elegant appearance today, but for its rich historical layers. The square marks the site of the ancient Roman forum, the original center of Roman Florence (Florentia), where politics, religion, and commerce converged.Over the centuries, the area became densely built-up with medieval buildings and alleys, until it was radically transformed in the late 19th century, during Florence’s brief time as capital of the Kingdom of Italy (1865–1871). As part of a massive urban renewal, older structures were demolished to create a grand, modern square, a controversial decision at the time.

Following your guided tour, ample time is made available for lunch on your own and shopping.

At the conclusion of your visit, walk back to the parking lot, then re-board your coach for the 1.5-hour return drive to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Repubblica

Note

Please note: This tour requires an extensive amount of walking for approximately 3.4 miles (about 5.5 kilometers), some of which is over cobblestone streets. It is not recommended for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. On Sundays and religious holidays, inside visits of cathedrals and churches are not possible due to religious services in progress. Headsets are provided during the guided tour of Florence. A minimum number of guests per guide are required to operate this programme.