Experience Lucca and Pisa's Field of Miracles Highlights and the iconic Leaning Tower all with your private guide and transportation.
This excursion is for 9 or more participants. For smaller groups, please see our
Livorno Pisa and Lucca Guide Excursion.
You will begin your day with a ride on the free shuttle from your Livorno pier to the transportation hub near the harbor's main gate. There, you will meet your English speaking escort and set out in your air-conditioned transport for the 60-minute journey to Lucca.
On arrival to the city's historic area, you will see one of the main highlights of this ancient city - the walls. You'll meet your local guide who will lead you on a walking excursion through the massive walls and into the historic district. Dating back to the Etruscan period, Lucca, like most walled towns, was occupied, battered and traded about by a long string of conquerors until Italy won its independence in 1861.
The walls that surround Lucca are impressive - there are actually 3 sets of walls. The outside wall was started in 1544 AD and is the longest and widest. To enter the city, visitors must access through the Portas (gates) - San Pietro, Santa Maria or San Donato. You will find the second wall a little further into the city. This wall dates back to 1100 AD. Several parts of the wall still remain including the gates Porta dei Santi Gervasio and Porta dei Borghi. Even closer to the city center are the few remains of the original walls that date from around 200 AD.
As impressive as the walls are, Lucca has some wonderful squares, palaces, churches and museums as well. Your guide will lead you on a guided exploration to the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, a site where once a Roman amphitheater stood. You will see the Piazza Napoleone (Piazza Grande) which has always been the political center of the city and is anchored by the Ducal Palace, now home to the city's administrative offices. You will also see Piazza San Michele, named after the adjacent church of the same name, which sits on what was once the Roman forum. The piazza, or square, is surrounded by impressive architecture including the Palazzo Gigli, which dates from 1529 and the Palazzo del Podesta (Praetorian Palace) built in 1492.
Giacomo Puccini was born and raised in Lucca and the city idolizes him still. Most summer evenings a concert or performance of one of his opera's can be found. Do not be surprised to hear strains of La Boheme, Tosca or Madame Butterfly on the breeze.
You will also have some free time to browse on your own, shop or sample some authentic Tuscan food. Maybe just sit at a cafe and sip some coffee or wine. Your guide will be able to offer suggestions. Note that food, beverages and admission fees are at the guest's expense. Approximate total time in Lucca is 5 hours. You will say goodbye to the guide in Lucca before continuing on your way.
Back on your transportation, you will continue on the journey to Pisa with the escort. On arrival to the city, you will disembark and walk approximately 20 minutes each way to the Field of Miracles best known for the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa. Enjoy photo opportunities and some free time. Approximate time for the Pisa stop is 90 minutes. From here, you will return to your cruise pier, approximately 30 minutes from Pisa.
Please note that you should anticipate large crowds at all sites. When possible, a guide from Livorno will be used replacing the need for the escort.
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