Florence and Lucca

We are interested in finding transportation to both Florence and Lucca on the days we are in port in Livorno.

Welcome to Cruise Critic. Get a copy of Rick Steves' Mediterranean Cruise Ports to find out how you can do it yourself. Your other option is to jin the ROLL CALL for yur cruise. The ROLL CALL is where you find other CC members who will be cruising with yo, and they are always busy planning/organizing independent excursions. Also visit the Ports of Call boards here to find out what experts suggest. EM

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

Look on the Italy board, here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=595

Many discussions on your questions. You do realize Florence is about 90 minutes away?

If "days in port in Livorno" means an overnight, I would suggest you go to Florence and spend the night there so you would have time to experience a significant amount. If you are talking about a day trip, it is likely to be frustrating as there usually are lines for the Uffizi and the Academy which, combined with the travel time to and from means that most of your day is travel and in line- better to save Florence for a land trip.

Lucca, on the other hand, is so small and that much closer that you really can experience the town on a day trip from Livorno.

If "days in port in Livorno" means an overnight, I would suggest you go to Florence and spend the night there so you would have time to experience a significant amount. If you are talking about a day trip, it is likely to be frustrating as there usually are lines for the Uffizi and the Academy which, combined with the travel time to and from means that most of your day is travel and in line- better to save Florence for a land trip.

 

Lucca, on the other hand, is so small and that much closer that you really can experience the town on a day trip from Livorno.

It is very possible - and advisable- to book tickets in advance for the Uffizi and/or the Accademia. If you do that by telephone, it only adds about €4 to the price, and you can pick up your tickets on the day and enter without queuing.

It is very possible - and advisable- to book tickets in advance for the Uffizi and/or the Accademia. If you do that by telephone, it only adds about €4 to the price, and you can pick up your tickets on the day and enter without queuing.

Good advice - going to Florence on a day trip without advance arrangements means a lot of time in line, or just seeing a bit of the city wandering around. Lucca, on the other hand, is so compact (and closer) and less crowded - making it an ideal destination for a day trip from Livorno -- which could include a stop in Pisa (going or coming) long enough to see the leaning tower - which is pretty much the only thing in Pisa to see.