MichelleK

Trying to work out an itinerary for our one day (cruise) stop in Livorno later this month. Would like to see the major sites in Florence, plus make a stop in Pisa. A few questions....approx. how much time is needed for Pisa? I've heard they are opening the leaning tower to walk up but not til Nov.?? Also I called this morning to make reservations for Uffizi and Accademia. Our group (6 people) is not huge into art, but would like to see the major works in Florence. The woman on the phone insisted on leaving three hours time for Uffizi. I can not imagine us spending that long in any art gallery! Basically, I'm wondering how much time is needed in each place (for us non-artsy folk!), and if it would be better to see Pisa on the way in to Florence in the morning, or on the way out in the afternoon/evening. (I believe the ship docks at 8:30 am and departs at 8pm). Thanks in advance!!

Art

Although I think Pisa has tremendous historical significance, Florence has so much that I would leave Pisa for the afternoon (if you still have time. <BR>Regards, <BR>Art <BR>

John

If you get your tickets beforehand, you can avoid the hour to hour and a half wait in line. Friends of ours are not the "artsy" types either, and they did both of them in three hours. Are you taking the train into Florence - if you are, you can get off at Pisa either going or returning, take a cab, take a few snapshots and get back on the train for no extra charge. The train we took actually beat the buses from the ships tours because of the traffic they encountered. Its about an hour and fifteen minutes without the Pisa stop. Walking around Florence is very easy - much smaller than I thought it would be. Everything you'll want to see would be within ten blocks of the train station. We left our ship at 7:00 am and returned by 5:00 and saw all we wanted and did some shopping as well (Ponte Veechio [spelling] area is not to be missed).

ingrid

I, too, would recommend Pisa in the late afternoon/evening. Following the advice of some Italian friends, we visited Pisa at around 5 p.m., took pictures of the tower, had a great dinner right near the main square, and drove off again. The funny thing is that my kids think it was the highlight of their trip to Italy!

zz--------zz

Latest info that I heard (as of last month), they plan to open the Leaning Tower of Pisa for visitors in November. And when they do open it, it'll be restricted to xxx amount (whatever that might be) at a time.

Philip

Frankly you can 'do' Pisa in half an hour, the only place to see is the Piazza dei Miracoli(the Tower takes 5 minutes but the Duomo is worth a shufti).......unless of course you choose to go to Giovanni's restaurant 'Teatro Antico' in the Piazza Dante for Lunch(worth a detour!). Pisa qua Pisa is not a great place!(And so say all of us!). <BR>You can book, via telephone only, tickets for a time to visit all the main galleries in Florence........how long you spend in the Ufizzi depends on how big you are into Renaisance painting... for that is what it is - finest in the world by far, but "Renaisance" - equally how long do you want to stand in front of the David in the Galleria? Better to go to the Villa da Michele in Fiesole for the greatest of lunches and simply gaze at God's own City and avoid the Madding Crowd! <BR>From Livorno to Pisa's Piazza dei Miracoli will take you 30 minutes (or should do!) from the Piazza to central Florence will take at least one an a half hours by road. <BR>That said I would in all humility, strongly suggest you either opt for Florence and forget Pisa's 'Wonder' or you leave Florence for another visit - it takes 4 days to see properly - and do the Tower and then Italy's 'Loveliest City' namely Lucca.....many prefer it to Florence, you'll be surprised! Lucca is about 35mins from the Piazza dei Miracoli...........But I bet you won't take my advice!!

Chris

I just got back from Florence. After so much art, my brain is fried. <BR> <BR>Accademia -- David, Prisoners/Slaves. You're done. The rest is a quick walk through. <BR> <BR>Uffizi -- this is where my brain froze. It's beautiful, it's overwhelming, it's mind boggling. Walk through, stop at the paintings you want (tip -- buy the guide book so you know what you're looking for) and beat it outta there. <BR> <BR>Santa Croce -- everyone who's anyone has a tomb there. Stop in, and go through the bookstore to the leather school. On your way, look at the markers in the floor. Amazing. <BR> <BR>Medici Library -- I recommend it. Michelangelo's steps are beautiful. Some may say "eh", but I found them to be absolutely lovely. And the ceiling of the library! Wooo! And it's free. <BR> <BR>There's a pharmacy near the train station. Pharmacia de Santa Maria Novella maybe? Really cool. Really expensive. Bought a $6 bar of soap. Felt quite chic, inspite of the heavy sigh from the sales person. So I'm not Rockefeller, but I got my taste of how the other 1% lives. Well, almost -- I'm reluctant to open it... <BR> <BR>Pitti Palace -- liked it, but if you go in the afternoon, you'll get the quick visit. I recommend it -- it's really pretty, but doesn't look like much from outside. Didn't do Boboli Gardens, although I should have. There's my one regret. <BR> <BR>I saw all those things (except the Accademia) and a few others in one LONG, exhausting day. Had I known the Accademia was going to be so quick, I could have done that in my one day too, then returned the next day to do again the things I liked the most. <BR> <BR>Is it the best plan? No. It's simply the most efficient use of time if you're trying to see everything in a hurry. It's not an art enthusiast's plan either. Just the facts, ma'am - that's the plan it is. <BR>

Michelle

Thanks everyone for all your advice and information! Its a big help! And Philip, you are probably right that I won't take your advice! But only because we are a group of 6, most of whom (including me) have never been to Europe at all and are doing the whirlwind checklist thing <BR>(Florence...check! Leaning Tower.....check!) Its difficult to really "see" any city/destination on a one-day cruise ship stop. I'm sure we will be missing a lot and I certainly plan on returning to Italy to do it right in the future. Thanks again!

Graziella

Wooooo!!! to say you can see Pisa in half an hour...!!!, why don' t you get a picture of the Tower of Pisa and can see it in five minutes... <BR>Graziella

Emilia

I would definately stay in Pisa long enough for a meal. We have had excellent experiences with restaurants there...not only good food, but entertaining and friendly waiters as well. One restaurant owner went so far as to sit down at our table to chat and show us photos from his family vacation. <BR> <BR>Of all the places I have visited in Italy (both large cities and smaller towns), Pisa is the place where I have found the locals to be the friendliest and chattiest. <BR>

snorkelman

Spend more time in Florence and take a quick day trip to Pisa. In Pisa you can walk from the train station about 30 minutes and see the leaning tower (or else find a bus to take you there). If you walk to the leaning tower, there are signs that have a picture of the tower and an arrow. Just follow the signs and you will end up at the tower (remember how to get back to the station!). They are expecting to reopen the tower to visitors (to climb up) in November 2001. <BR> <BR>Yes, lunch in Pisa is nice, but really, if you have 1 or 2 days between florence and pisa, i think pisa should be limited to no more than a few hours.

Susan

We were just in Pisa and it was hot, hot, hot! I don't know what time of year you plan on visiting but if it's soon I'd definitely get there in the early evening when it is cooler. Lots of traffic too so a train would be a better option rather than driving. It was also a highlight of the trip for my kids -- funny what they remember!

Surlok

I can't understand why to rush to see Pisa, besides Florence.. It's too much for a few hours, so, why don't you spend as much time as you can in Florence, and just forget Pisa? Believe me, I'm used to cruise, and I've been to both, so, my advise is: make it for Florence only, and you won't regret. <BR> <BR>Surlok

MichelleK

WELL here's the thing....I've heard Florence is fairly small, but there is an abundance of art to see. As I mentioned, we're not really into art and we also tend to be very fast-moving. Probably not the best way to "experience" any place.....but then againk we are on a cruise, so its basically a whirlwind anyway! I know that at least a few in the group will be bored in art museums in under an hour, and since Pisa isn't too far out of the way, it seems like a reasonable idea. Perhaps we will do what some of you suggested and do it on the way back. Thanks for all the help!!