Tuscany Tour
Lucca & Pisa

Duration: 8 hours.

Starts: Your hotel, 9am

Walking level: Easy.

Included: Private 7 seater van, driver-guide for the full day.

The visit will start from Pisa. One of Tuscany's main cities, it was famous and powerful in its past history as one of the four maritime Republics controlling the Mediterranean Sea. The city enjoyed a rebirth thanks to its prestigious University, international airport, and to the numerous tourists always attracted by its monumental ensemble of the main city square: the "Piazza dei Miracoli". Here, you will admire the Romanesque Cathedral and its bell tower -- the world-famous "Leaning Tower", the Baptistery- the biggest in Italy - the monumental cemetery of the XIV century which hosts many precious frescoes by painters as famous as Taddeo Gaddi, Benozzo Gozzoli, Antonio Veneziano etc..

If you like you can climb to the top of the Leaning Tower (recently reopened), though we will need to make the reservation one month ahead. By late morning,board the van to drive along the Aurelia, a panoramic road built by the Romans which links Pisa to Lucca and, northward, to the borders of France. Lined with the typical umbrella pines, the road winds along the hills covered with olive trees, offering a wide view over the city.

Arrive in Lucca by lunch time. An historically very prosperous city, Lucca is still one of the wealthiest centres in Tuscany, where one can enjoy the excellent food of the local dishes, in some of the cutest trattorias downtown. After lunch start your walking tour of the city with your driver-guide. Weather permitting, it's a unique experience to walk along the perimeter of the stunning defensive walls which enclose the city. First built by the Romans, the walls were transformed into an elegant promenade and park in the 19th century. The walking tour will give you the chance to admire the landscape and the exquisite treasures of art, of which this elegant city if full.

See the Cathedral of San Martino, the Roman Amphitheatre - dating from the II century A.D.-, the Churches of San Michele and San Frediano, the birthplace of the composer Giacomo Puccini, the medieval tower Guinigi (the only one open to the public), and the numerous aristocratic palaces and gardens. Lucca is also an interesting shopping centre: along via Finlungo, the most elegant street, you will find all the best shops in town, some of which are the oldest too, as the popular Cafe di Simo (famous for its chocolate). By late afternoon your driver-guide will take you back to your hotel.