Today, we revisit our enchanting day trip to Florence, Italy which was part of a wonderful Disney Cruise Line Mediterranean voyage. We docked in Livorno, which is about 90 minutes outside of Florence. With a little planning, we were able to make the most of our time and create unforgettable memories in the heart of Tuscany.
Transportation to Florence with Taxi for Cruisers:
Following a recommendation from Rick Steves' Europe, we utilized the reliable services of Taxi for Cruisers ( www.taxiforcruisers.com) to transport us from the port of Livorno to Florence and back. We were delighted with their private shuttle service, providing comfortable, reliable, and punctual transport. We had a party of 9 so used 2 vans. Their knowledgeable drivers met us just steps from the ship in Livorno and ensured a smooth ride, whisking us away to the city in no time.
Exploring Florence with Freya's Florence:
To maximize our time in Florence, we arranged a three-hour walking tour with Freya's Florence ( www.freyasflorence.com), a tour company specializing in tours of Florence for families. Our guide, an Italian historian, met us for coffee at a lovely cafe in the Piazza della Repubblica, the Caffe Concerto Paszkowski. Here she gave us an overview of the day ahead. Next, she led us through the historical center, offering captivating insights into the religious and political centers, Renaissance architecture, churches, frescoed chapels, sculptures, bridges, and medieval tower houses as well as stories of Medici drama. There is so much to see and do in a relatively small area of Florence, making it convenient to walk everywhere.
Discovering The Palazzo Vecchio:
One of the highlights of our tour with Freya's Florence was visiting The Palazzo Vecchio after stopping for photos and stories on the Ponte Vecchio. This iconic building served as the medieval town hall and later became the impressive ducal palace of the Medici family. Our guide expertly navigated us through its enchanting halls, including the Room of the 500 (ducal hearing room), the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess' Representation Rooms, the Studio of Francesco I, and the Room of Maps. The decorations and use of symbolism and mythological stories added depth to our understanding of the Medici family's autocracy.
A Hidden Gem for Lunch:
Following our walking tour, we made our way to Ristorante La Vetreria (www.ristorantevetreria.it), a hidden gem of a restaurant and wine bar tucked away from the bustling crowds. The team at Freya's Florence assisted us in making reservations ahead of time, ensuring a delightful culinary experience with out a wait--quite impressive for Florence in June! From traditional Tuscan delicacies to delightful wines, we savored every bite in this charming setting. The staff here was especially friendly and the food was delicious. We brought some delicious local Italian wines back to the ship to enjoy later.
Climbing the Duomo and Gelato Delights:
After a satisfying lunch, we had prebooked timed tickets to climb to the top of the breathtaking Duomo. As we ascended, we marveled at the ingenious engineering behind Brunelleschi's dome and were rewarded with awe-inspiring panoramic views of Florence from the summit. Though our tickets included access to the baptistry and bell tower, time constraints prevented us from exploring them on this occasion. However, the splendor of the Duomo proved more than sufficient for an unforgettable experience. We also decided, with the guidance of the team at Freya's Florence, to skip both the Academia Gallery and the interior of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore as these sites, while both valuable, would have wasted part of our only day in Florence with waiting, even with timed tickets. We like to save some time for strolling the streets and stopping for snacks, drinks or coffee and I'm glad that we chose to build in some free time.
As our time in Florence drew to a close, we couldn't resist indulging in some delectable gelato, the perfect finale to our exploration of the city's many charms before heading back to Livorno.
We were quite satisfied with all we were able to fit in to our day trip to Florence! We even had time for coffee, a leisurely lunch and gelato! Join us on our next expedition as we embark on another captivating destination, unlocking the enchantment of the world, one port at a time. Bon voyage!
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