Hi, Anyone been to Florence and/or Pisa? Going on the Golden in July and cannot decide on whether to opt for the tour that includes the full day in Florence (as I think we'll need it), or go for the tour that breaks it up and includes Florence & Pisa. Is Pisa really worth it or just overrated? Thanks for your help.

<BR>Hi Brandon,<BR><BR>Some people say "hey it's only a crooked tower." True, but it is a tower that photos can not do justice. It not only is enormous but it is an engineering and architectual marvel. I sat in the shade for an hour and was amazed just looking at it. <BR><BR>Some, of course, are not interested in buildings that are extraordinary and that may be you. If so, just spend the time in Florence.<BR><BR>As a rule of thumb I do not visit places because it is the thing to do. I study the area thoroughly first.<BR><BR>Happy planning.<BR><BR>Paul

Do both. You can catch a train in Livorno for about 5$ apiece round trip. You'll need to take a taxi from the pier to the station. The trip from Livorno to Florence is about an hour. Get off at Pisa (they all stop there), take a cab or bus to the tower, take pictures (or sit in the grass with your mouth open for an hour like Paul) and go back and get on the train. It doesn't cost any extra. This will give you plenty of time to explore Florence. Everything is within easy walking distance of the station - Duomo, Ponte Veechia. Boboli Gardens, etc. Just make sure you validate your train tickets on the platform both in Livorno and Pisa (little yellow punch station boxes).

Leaving on the golden in a couple of weeks. After seeing various threads we opted for the transportation to Florence from Princess as in Italy one never knows when the trains will strike or be on time. Also buses can't enter Florence proper. Get reservations at the museums like Uffizi and Academia beforehand either by calling direct which is what we did otr thru an agent.

Harriette - I hate to disagree with you and I know this is a personal choice but 1. When there is a train strike in Italy, its announced well in advance 2. Trains are over 90% on schedule according to various reputable sources and 3. There are trains running from Livorno to Florence about every 45 minutes all day long - some "local" and some "express".<BR><BR>P.S. you can also get the uffizi and acadamia tickets online.<BR><BR>Another P.S. - riding the trains gives you yet another European experience that you don't get with a tour bus driver or any other private means. Plus there's the spirit of adventure.

Hate to disagree with you Peter but 90% of the time means that 10% of the time trains are not on time. If you miss the ship you are stuck. also strikes for May were just announced last week. What happens if you don't reserve transportation and the ship's transportation is already booked? I would agree with you in a port where the ship docks ie. Athens or Barcelona where it is realtively easy to get from the ship to the sights but I discussed this with 2 different ta's and they both advised where the destination is 90 minutes away like from Livorno to Florence to take the ship's transportation. As far as booking the Uffizi and academia online when I tried to do it --it was in Italian. Calling them cost me from NY $1.60 using a 1010 # and booking charge was $1.50 per person much less than a booking agency

<BR>Don't disagree with Peter. According to Peter no one ever misses the ship and the trains always run on time.<BR><BR>But he is correct about it being an adventure.<BR><BR>Paul

Harriette - ok, we're at an impass. At this point its left up to the readers (Brandon, the original poster). It seems like it always comes down to "fear" and the cruise lines and TA's use it to their advantage. BEWARE: if you don't use the ship's excursions in Europe when the destination is 90 minutes away you run the risk of missing the ship (or if you believe Paul Therault, you may miss the rest of your life)!!!!<BR><BR>Oh, and by the way Harriette, the only reason Florence would be 90 minutes away from Liverno is that it takes that long or longer to drive there because of the traffic around the city. The train only takes 60 to 75 minutes depending on the train you take. Two couples at our dining table took the $75 Tour Florence on Your Own ship's excursion - which was a bus ride to the train station area (buses can't get to far into the city) - and it took them two hours to get there and almost that to get back!<BR><BR>And Paul - the only one who uses the words "never" and "always" is you.

Ok Ok, didn't want to cause any hostility, just wanted to know wether Pisa was worth it or a full day in florence was more worthwhile. Thanks again.

Brandon<BR><BR>Go to Florence and take in as much as you can in the time allowed. There is so much to see there and it will be far more interesting than Pisa.

Four of us are going to Livorno in October. Can anyone advise us how much a private car/taxi would cost to take us to Florence and back, maybe with a stop in Pisa if there is time. Can taxis go into Florence, or is there still a two mile walk into the city?<BR>

Since you can't fully experience Florence in one day, see David and run through the Uffizi and the main sites. It would be a shame to be so close to Pisa and not see the tower. Sure, it's just a leaning tower, but it's really amazing and when you see it, you can't believe it's still standing. Anyway, my point is that if you can't do Florence justice anyway, you might as well catch a bit of the best.

I have been to Italy 3 time. The first time was on a cruise. We opted for the Florence/Piza tour offered by the cruise ship. I would recommend this if this if your first visit. <BR><BR>In one day, you could never expierence Florence or Piza. Think about it. Can any city be explored in one day? This tour will give you an over view. A privous post said Piza is just a "crooked building".(I won't even comment on that statement)<BR>Piza is one of the wonders of the world. How could you pass up the opportunity to have the expierence?<BR><BR>Last year we went back to Itay and spent 2 weeks in Rome. That was not enough. We plan to go back next year and explore that wonderful city! <BR><BR>When are Americans going to get off the "Disney Land" mentality?<BR><BR>

Thanks Jackie for your input. I do agree Pisa would be worth seeing, but I'm leaning more towards the full day in Florence as I feel it would be more exciting and to much running around trying to make it to Pisa. But thanks again.