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L&B Italian Tours - Search results for: Pisa

Duration – 12 hours
Type of service - Day Tour from Florence – Tuscany Grand Tour: Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti Winery and Pisa

 Comprising visits to the most remarkable ancient towns and to the rolling Chianti hills, memorable views and flavorful culinary and wine experiences.

Our Small-Group Tuscany Grand Tour, one of the best Tuscany tours, allows you to discover the heart and soul of gorgeous Tuscany.

Depart in full comfort aboard our state-of-the-art minivan, with your dedicated English-speaking driver and tour escort, and reach Siena. Set in a beautiful landscape, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, it is one of the most enchanting medieval cities in Italy.
Led by a specialized knowledgeable English-speaking guide you will discover the town's most striking sights, admire the marvelous Piazza del Campo - where twice a year dashing horses compete in the heart-rendering Palio race - and enjoy a flavorful surprise: a tasting of a local specialty.

Then travel on to San Gimignano, UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most splendid examples of an ancient walled town. Renowned as “the city of beautiful towers” or "Tuscany's Manhattan" it boasts an exceptional skyline, is one of the and most well-preserved, towns in the whole of Italy and has been used as a background in many movies.
Stroll the maze of quaint cobblestone streets at leisure, discover the tall towers, once homes, which characterize the town. Breathe in the authentic atmosphere and then set off across the vineyard-clad Chianti hills for a scrumptious Tuscan lunch and wine tasting in the charming premises of a boutique winery.

Sample authentic Tuscan flavor and enjoy the privilege of a private visit to the estate's wine cellar. After lunch a fascinating visit to nearby Impruneta, to learn all about its extraordinary terracotta production, and then travel on to Pisa.

Discover the airy majesty of Piazza dei Miracoli (Miracles Square), which consists in the Leaning Tower, Romanesque Duomo, and Baptistery. The ever-fascinating Leaning Tower, bell tower of the Cathedral, has been proposed as one of the seven wonders of the modern world and is truly a sight to see (kindly note tickets to climb the tower are not included due to the constant extremely long queues; clients can buy tickets directly on site).
At the end of the visit travel back to Florence in full comfort, as your eyes and heart rest upon the day's marvelous enchanted sights.
Our Tuscany Grand Tour is more than a tour, it is a memorable lifetime cultural experience.

Things to Know
• Tour is offered everyday based on availability
• Tour begins at 8:00am
• Small-group tour of 16 people or less
• Professional English speaking driver/tour leader
• Round-trip transportation from Florence by comfortable A/C Minivan
• Guided walking tour of Siena with professional English speaking guide
• Surprise tasting in Siena
• Free time to explore San Gimignano
• Typical Tuscan lunch in a fascinating Chianti boutique winery
• Winery guided tour and wine tasting learning about wine production
• Medieval town visit, learning about terracotta
• Pisa visit with focus on Miracle Square and Pisa Leaning Tower (tower tickets not included)
• Meeting point location – Piazza della Repubblica – more details are provided upon booking
• Please wear casual clothing with walking or tennis shoes

Duration - 2 hours

Type - Florence Duomo Cathedral Tour with Duomo Skywalk - small group tour

During our Florence Duomo tour you will have the incredible opportunity to discover Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral and to see the city from an exclusive and breathtaking point of view: the Duomo terraces (that are normally not reachable) and Brunelleschi's magnificent Dome.

An exceptional one-of-a-kind experience: a guided viewing of the core of Florence's spiritual soul, the Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral), with Brunelleschi's Dome and an exclusive sky-walk on the amazing terraces for an awe-inspiring view!
Meet your dedicated, professional guide, enter the Cathedral easily with priority skip-the-line Duomo Florence tickets, and begin an unforgettable journey into art, spirituality, history and magic.

Built over a period of a century and a half, with input by important artists such as Arnolfo di Cambio, Giotto, Andrea Pisano and Brunelleschi, creator of the cupola, this cathedral, Florence's Duomo, is the city's most iconic landmark. The guide will help you recognize and appreciate the variety of styles visible in the grand echoing interior, so many due to the fact that construction took almost 150 years. He will point out the brilliance of the 44 stained-glass windows, the splendid frescoes by Vasari and Zuccari, the impressive marble choir by Bandinelli and much more.

After viewing the various artworks in the Cathedral you will start your ascent, up a narrow staircase used for centuries, and along open corridors. The climb will be more than worth it: the terraces, 32 meters (105 ft) high, are generally closed to the public, but they will be open for your group.

Reach the top and feel the unique privilege of being "in the sky". Lose yourself in the astonishing panorama of red-tiled rooftops, elegant towers, busy streets and piazzas below, and the cypress-clad hillside in the distance. As you gaze at the city's most spectacular view your guide will tell you about Brunelleschi's astonishing genius and creative talent. How he used vaults that allowed the building of the Cathedral cupola without scaffolding, and how it still stands today, a dominating presence admired worldwide, apparently defiant of age and wear, earthquakes and wars. If after the terrace sky-walk, you are still willing to climb, you may use your fast-track Florence duomo tickets to go up to the very top of Brunelleschi's dome: 91 meters (300 ft.) high it offers yet more unforgettable views onto the "cradle of the Renaissance".

The cost of the Duomo Florence tour also includes access to the Baptistery, the Opera del Duomo Museum and the Bell Tower: your ticket is valid for any or all of these monuments within 72 hours from your entrance to the Duomo.

IMPORTANT: please note that there is a dress code for entrance to places of worship and some museums: no shorts or sleeveless tops are allowed, knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women. Persons not complying with the dress code requirements will be refused entrance.


Things to Know

  • Tour is offered Tuesday - Saturday at 12noon
  • Small group tour of 25 people or less/ recommend wearing tennis shoes
  • Bring tour voucher and identification with you to tour check-in
  • Meeting Point Location: Piazza della Repubblica - more details are provided upon booking
  • Please note the number of steps to reach the top – terraces (153 steps) and the terraces with the Brunelleschi's Dome: 153 + 310 = 463 steps

Duration: 4 - 5 hours

Type Of Service: Florence to Cinque Terre Private Car Transfer Tour with a one-hour stop-over in Pisa

Our car service transfers provide our clients the opportunity to make the most of their time while in Italy enjoying tours of other popular tourist destinations as they travel from one Italian city to another. On our Florence to Cinque Terre car transfer, enjoy a one-hour stop-over in Pisa and spend time at the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and the extraordinary Piazza dei Miracoli, as part of your private car transfer from Florence.  Your driver will drop you off at Piazza dei Miracoli and await for your return at the car parking lot.

We can arrange for skip the line tickets for those guests who want to climb the two-hundred eighty-eight steps of the Leaning Tower while in Pisa.  The Leaning Tower tickets are 28 euros per person.

Things to Know

  • Luxury Mercedes vehicle or something similar with air-conditioned with an English-speaking driver
  • Pick-up from Hotel in Florence, with a one-hour stop-over in Pisa
  • All transfers are based on each passenger-carrying maximum 1 standard suitcase and 1 carry-on per person
  • Clients taking our Florence Cinque Terre Transfer can also pay an additional 28 Euro per person for reserved tickets to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa (please be aware children under 8 years are not allowed to climb the Tower) The climb takes 25 – 30 minutes each way.  There are no hand-railings when climbing the steps and tennis shoes are highly recommended.
  • Private Car Transfers offered 7 days a week between April and October based on availability
  • Two departure times to choose from are; 9:00am – 2:00pm or 10:00am – 3:00pm
  • Please be aware that most of the Cinque Terre town centers are not accessible by car, the driver will drop you off at the nearest car parking lot closest to the designated town.

Additional Info

  • Region Liguria
  • City Florence
  • Duration 4 - 5 Hours
  • Highlights

    Private Florence to Cinque Terre Car Transfer includes a stop in Pisa and a chance to climb the Leaning Tower.

  • Pricing & Booking
     
    To book this tour, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
     
  • Price rates vary according to group size
Published in Cinque Terre
Thursday, 12 November 2015 19:26

Regions in Italy

So you’ve decided you are GOING TO ITALY! How Exciting! Many people dream of visiting Italy and experiencing la bella vita, and while you certainly can’t avoid it anywhere in the country, there are some things to think about before you take off that will make your time that much more enjoyable.

First, Italy is a large, and very diverse country. Traveling across regions is almost like traveling across countries themselves. The Italian people are very attached to their City, Region, and Country, in that order, so be sure to talk to locals wherever you go to get to know the intricacies of the very different regions of Italy.

Planning your trip’s itinerary won’t be easy since there is SO much to see and do, but a little background on the country’s layout is helpful when decided what it is you want to get out of your time: are you looking for sports? history? art? food? beaches? mountains? fashion? design? Italy has it all, but some places have it better than others!

Italy can best be divided into three geographical areas: north, middle and south, although again across those areas culture, food and tradition varies greatly.

 

Northern Italy: Alta Italia

Northern Italy is made up of the Aosta Valley, Piedmont, Liguria, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and Trentino Alto-Adige. It boasts such famous cities as Milan, Venice, Turin, Genoa and Bologna. The weather is cooler than the rest of the country due to the northern location and proximity to the Apennines and Alps. This area is traditionally the more wealthy part of Italy, and houses most of the country’s industry. Cities like Milan and Venice can be slightly more expensive than some cities in the central or southern parts of Italy. However, public transportation and tourism services are much more developed and functional than in other parts of the country!

The major airport for the northern region is Milan’s Linate International Airport. There are many other airports in the region however, including Bologna, Venice and Genoa, so do some price comparisons before booking your ticket. The climate in this region varies considerably, both depending on time of year and location. Venice gets extremely hot in the summer, while Turin and the Lake District (Cuomo) stay much cooler and tend to be flocked by Italians trying to beat the heat during the summer months. The Italian Alps begin their ski season as early as November in some places.

Northern Italy has many attractions and offers activities for everyone. Those who enjoy sport and the outdoors may want to visit the lakes for water sports, or go hiking in the Italian Dolomites. Everyone should see Venice at least for a day while they still can! Milan is great for anyone interested in design or fashion, and also has a wide selection of galleries and museums for those interested in both Renaissance and contemporary art. One can also visit the Italian Riviera for some great beaches.

The cuisine of this region is also quite variable, but generally tends to be no the heavier side of some of the traditional Italian specialties we normally think of. This is where Italians eat risotto with saffron, polenta, LOTS of parmigiano reggiano (from the Emilia Romagna province – an area that all foodies must visit), heavy meat dishes and stews, etc. Closer north near the Austrian border we see a lot of Austrian or Slovenian influence in the cuisine, as well as the wines. Prosecco is from the Veneto, and Gewürztraminer is from Trentino Alto-Adige. Think lots of nice white wines, and a LOT of grappa!

 

Central Italy: Tuscany and Rome

Central Italy is made up of the regions Lazio, Marche, Tuscany and Umbria. Geographically it also contains Abruzzo and Molise, but they are traditional grouped with Southern Italy due to cultural similiarities. This is where the rolling hills of Unbria and Tuscany call to mind Napa Valley. This is wine country. Central Italy is home to cities like Florence, Siena, Perugia, and of course Roma. Still quite wealthy, but more varied wealth across regions, central Italy is also extremely easy to explore via bus or train, so you can visit some little hill towns in the Val D’Orcia, or take a train and ride up and down the coast. This section of Italy is full of tiny medieval towns, and if you do your research ahead of time, you could get to participate in one of their on-going traditional medieval festivals!

Rome and Florence both have international airports, as does Pisa. Flying into Bologna is also an easy way to get to Florence as they are connected via both fast and regional trains. The weather in the region is quite temperate, with clearly distinct seasons similar to the weather on the mid-Atlantic coast of the U.S. The winters are cold, and although snow is uncommon it is not unheard of. The summers get quite hot, going up to one hundred degrees, and the air tends to be humid, especially inland.

Florence and Rome are the dominating destinations in Central Italy, and rightfully so. Rome as the capital and Florence as the birthplace of the Renaissance are not to be missed if possible. I would argue each city really deserves its own trip to truly get the most out of what they have to offer. Rome is a massive metropolitan center, filled with tourists all year round. The Vatican is a major destination, its museums housing some of the most beautiful and famous Renaissance artwork, as well as the Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. The City of Rome of course has many ancient Roman ruins that would excite anyone remotely interested in human history: the Coliseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Catacombs, just to name a few. Florence on the other hand is the must-visit for anyone interested in Renaissance art or history, and is also a good base to explore some of the smaller towns in the region that will have you thinking of Under the Tuscan Sun. The Chianti region is full of tiny gems to visit and have an amazing meal at, as is the area between Siena and Rome. You’ll have to get to know the regional bus lines though!

Again, each region has its own traditional cuisine, but Central Italy has some of the healthiest, heartiest, what traditionally would have been peasant food but has now been elevated to an incredible level of International renown. Bistecca alla Fiorentina can only be truly enjoyed in Tuscany, just as Rome is the place to eat Saltimbocca or Osso Buco. Siena is famous for its sweets, traditionally eaten at Christmastime, and the Umbrian town of Norcia, in the Appennine foothills is where the best black truffles can be found, as well as some of the best pork products like prosciutto and salame. The hills are home to wild boar, which is cooked into many traditional stews or sauces. This is also wine country, so look out for Chianti, Montalcino, Montepulciano, and Vernaccia di San Gimignano. I could write a whole article about Tuscan cuisine, and I probably will, so check our blog frequently!

 

Southern Italy: Untouched

Southern Italy is where many Italian Americans origins are. It is the poorest part of the country, and encompasses the “foot” part of the boot of Italy, as well as the island of Sicily and some other Islands off the coast of Naples. It is made up of the regions of Abruzzo, Apulia, Basilicata, Campania, Calabria, Molise and Sicily. Due to traditional poverty and well-known corruption, transportation to many less-frequented yet extremely beautiful areas is difficult without a car of your own. The trains are regional and buses connecting cities are infrequent. We’ll talk more about renting cars in Italy later, but this may be the area to do so if you are up for the challenge!

The nearest major international airport is Rome, but there are two smaller airports on the east coast: Bari and Brindisi, both in Apulia. Naples has an international airport, and the island of Sicily may be reached via Palermo in the north or Catania in the south. The climate in the South is Mediterranean, so again variable across seasons but markedly warmer than the north or center of the country. The area is frequently overlooked as a tourist destination, so it is a nice respite from the throngs of Florence or Venice if you have the chance to visit. The beaches are spectacular, overlooking truly crystalline water. On clear days you can even see Africa from certain points along the coast.

While Sorrento, the Amalfi coast and the island of Capri are all beautiful places to visit, they are also the most famous tourist destinations in this area. If you are looking for beautiful vistas and country club style and treatment, these resort towns are a perfect place to pamper yourself or take a boat out. If you are more on the adventurous side, continue south and explore the towns of Calabria, famous for its spicy peppers and warm inhabitants. From Naples you can climb Mount Vesuvius and eat a traditional Neapolitan pizza. Matera, in the Basilicata region, is slated to be the European Capitol of Culture in 2019, and boasts what are thought to be among the first ever human settlements in Italy carved out of the rocks that make up its ancient city center. Those interested in architecture will enjoy the cities along the southern coast of Sicily, where due to volcanic and seismic damage, many buildings were rebuilt in a new Sicilian Baroque style.

Southern Italian cuisine is what most Americans think of as Italian cuisine: eggplant parmigiana, pizza, calzone, spaghetti, maccheroni, and the list goes on. The region is big on short, dry pasta, as opposed to the soft egg pastas of the northern, wealthier regions. Mozzarella is from this area, as is ricotta, made light and fresh. San Marzano tomatoes are grown in the volcanic soil under mount Vesuvius, and are used ubiquitously. Many of the dishes served in the south have Italian-American counterparts due to generations of Italians emigrating to the US from these regions due to extreme poverty. This part of Italy also of course produces much of its own wine, but the wine tends to be drunk young and domestically, rather than bring preserved and shipped. So come here if you are okay with some chilled red table wine or a beer with your pizza!

This has just been an EXTREMELY brief overview of what you might expect as you plan your trip to Italy. Every part of the country has its own secrets, cuisines, and traditions, but if you can’t move there, these generalized descriptions should help you tailor where you want to start and end your visit to the big boot. Once you determine your itinerary, be sure to check seasonal weather charts so you can pack accordingly to where you will be visiting. Read on for more about the items that you will need to bring with you to get the most out of your Italian vacation!

Published in Tips & Tricks
Wednesday, 04 November 2015 19:47

Jeff and Ali

Our excursion to Italy….In one word was “PERFECT”!

We had an amazing time visiting several places in Italy and Hali’s suggested itinerary and careful planning made for a great holiday without any drama!

Her knowledge and experience of connecting us with amazing tour guides, wonderful accommodations and orchestrating the travel between each city, was very well organized.

Hali listened to our long and complicated bucket list which included everything from art & history in Florence, biking in Lucca, getting to the top of the Tower of Pisa and hiking Cinco Terre, all while staying in beautiful accommodations and eating AMAZING food, and she was able to pull it all together without a hitch!

Thank you Hali for making our visit to Italy a very memorable experience!!!Grazie Mille !!!

Published in Testimonials

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