Viking Ocean - in port Livorno, Italy - 1 day excursions?

[CCWineLover]

We are on the Viking Sky this October and will be in port in Livorno Italy for just the day (8:00 am - 8:00 pm).

I'm sure that many of you have done this port so I am wondering what types of excursions have you done that can be accomplished in the single day, since this is NOT an overnight port for us (I know many Viking itineraries have it as an overnight, but not ours).

We are doing Florence for 4 nights pre-cruise (that starts in Rome/Citavecchia) so we don't want anything with Florence in it.

Anyone do Viking excursions?

Anyone recommend any small private excursions?

Thanks in advance for any tips/advice.

[LFS517]

We were there last April, and had also done a pre-cruise in Florence, so we did the included Viking excursion to Pisa.  It was fun seeing the Leaning Tower, and we enjoyed the tour.

[Squawkman]

In November, we did the Viking 4.5 hour tour to Lucca and highly recommend it. Viking also offers a 8.5 hour tour which includes Pisa. Here’s Viking’s description which we found fairly accurate:
 

A Medieval Italian Gem -- Explore Lucca, a small medieval town steeped in history and culture. Sheltered by the remains of the fortress walls, Lucca offers breathtaking scenery in the heart of Tuscany. Begin your tour with a scenic drive. Upon arrival, your escort will lead you to the town center. Here, you will explore on your own the pedestrianized Renaissance wall walkways, palaces and pretty piazzas. Majestically rising to dominate the skyline in the main piazza is the stunning Duomo. Admire the oval-shaped amphitheater, built on foundations of an ancient Roman site and surrounded by some of Lucca’s finest examples of ancient architecture from the 4th century. The magnificent octagonal Baptistery of St. John stands in both the Piazza del Duomo and the Piazza San Giovanni. Wander the quaint streets, browse the shops and admire the picturesque surroundings before you meet up with your Viking Representative to head back to your ship.

[CCWineLover]

9 minutes ago, Squawkman said:

In November, we did the Viking 4.5 hour tour to Lucca and highly recommend it. Viking also offers a 8.5 hour tour which includes Pisa. Here’s Viking’s description which we found fairly accurate:
 

A Medieval Italian Gem -- Explore Lucca, a small medieval town steeped in history and culture. Sheltered by the remains of the fortress walls, Lucca offers breathtaking scenery in the heart of Tuscany. Begin your tour with a scenic drive. Upon arrival, your escort will lead you to the town center. Here, you will explore on your own the pedestrianized Renaissance wall walkways, palaces and pretty piazzas. Majestically rising to dominate the skyline in the main piazza is the stunning Duomo. Admire the oval-shaped amphitheater, built on foundations of an ancient Roman site and surrounded by some of Lucca’s finest examples of ancient architecture from the 4th century. The magnificent octagonal Baptistery of St. John stands in both the Piazza del Duomo and the Piazza San Giovanni. Wander the quaint streets, browse the shops and admire the picturesque surroundings before you meet up with your Viking Representative to head back to your ship.

Thanks!  Do you remember what they cost?  (the 4.5 and 8.5 hour tours)

[Squawkman]

32 minutes ago, CCWineLover said:

Thanks!  Do you remember what they cost?  (the 4.5 and 8.5 hour tours)

The 4.5 hour was $49pp  In November - well worth it. The guide was exceptional! I do not know about the 8.5 hour as we didn’t consider it because it was rated d for demanding. We also did the Viking Ultimate Tuscany which was fantastic.

[frenchhorn]

We were in Livorno last December and did Viking's Leonardo daVinci and Lucca tour.  It was a full day tour that began in Lucca with an excellent tour and some free time.  (I could have stayed there for weeks.)  We then visited the farmhouse where Leonardo da Vinci grew up outside the small town of Vinci and followed that with a visit to the  museum that contained many structures built using da Vinci's drawings.  Some on our tour squeezed in a quick shopping  visit to an excellent ceramics studio in Vinci.  We loved the entire excursion.  It was 8.5 hours, began at 9:30 am, and cost $109 per person.  We did both Viking tours and private tours on our Rome to Lisbon cruise, and we thought this was one of the best Viking tours.  

[lextrvlr]

You might want to consider using this as a “sea day” especially after 4 busy days on a pre-cruise extension. We did this after an Umbria extension and were delighted enjoying the ship with very few other “stay-aboards.”

[sugarside]

Cannot recommend Lucca enough.We did a three night independent trip there and found so much to see and do so cannot review it from a Viking view point.It certainly is an undiscovered gem.Leather goods ,handbags and wallets are so much cheaper than in nearby Florence.

However if you want a quieter day in Livorno consider taking a shuttle bus into the town which we did on our cruise.The tourist information centre directed us to the indoor market which was a real find.Massive Parmesan cheeses stacked high and Limoncello everywhere.Wow.

Leisurely stroll around and then back to a quiet ship for relaxation perhaps afternoon tea in the Winter Garden.😋

[Peregrina651]

14 hours ago, Squawkman said:

we did the Viking 4.5 hour tour to Lucca and highly recommend it.

 

Ditto!  Although you can get to Lucca on your own by train and do exactly what you would do if you had gone with Viking, there is a certain amount comfort and lack of fuss if you take the shorex. 

[Squawkman]

1 hour ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

Ditto!  Although you can get to Lucca on your own by train and do exactly what you would do if you had gone with Viking, there is a certain amount comfort and lack of fuss if you take the shorex. 

Plus the tour guide was fantastic. And you don't have to worry if there are train issues, etc. I learned back in 1974 when I was in London with a tour group don't take anything for granted. I had a few hours before the group would be bused to Heathrow for a flight to Amsterdam, so I took the Underground to get a surprise for my wife. There was an accident in the tunnel, and my wife's second surprise was that we weretoo late for the bus. Luckily, we got a cab that made it to Heathrow in time. 

[Peregrina651]

5 hours ago, Squawkman said:

Plus the tour guide was fantastic.

 

Yeah, but we can't count on having the same fantastic guide that you had.

 

And, in any case, we did the Lucca on your own tour, which meant we were on our own for most of the time and were only guided from the entrance gate (Lucca is a walled city) to the place where we would meet up again at the end of the tour, about 15 minutes of guiding --and a most enjoyable afternoon in spite of the January rain.

[CCWineLover]

1 hour ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

Yeah, but we can't count on having the same fantastic guide that you had.

 

And, in any case, we did the Lucca on your own tour, which meant we were on our own for most of the time and were only guided from the entrance gate (Lucca is a walled city) to the place where we would meet up again at the end of the tour, about 15 minutes of guiding --and a most enjoyable afternoon in spite of the January rain.

Thank you for all your advice!   It certainly sounds like Lucca (and possibly a combination with Pisa) might be the way to go.

I did not hear from anyone who took a private independent tour (yet), but perhaps they might tend to only look at cruisecritic for their specific roll call to get with people to fill those private tours.

I do however, like the thought of no stress, and not worrying about getting back to the ship (taking a Viking excursion).  We've only done private tours when we were doing an overnight or when there was quite bit of time (like 3-4 hours) before sailing to give us a cushion.

[Peregrina651]

3 hours ago, CCWineLover said:

It certainly sounds like Lucca (and possibly a combination with Pisa) might be the way to go.

 

It was the Lucca/DaVinci (post#6) one that caught my eye. If we ever get back that way with Viking, it is on my list.

[sugarside]

Having traveled independently in Italy a number of times we have always found the trains to be very punctual and reliable.

NB You must remember to validate your ticket in the boarding station before getting on a train.

They are very strict about that and claiming ignorance won't stop you being fined !!! Be aware that the walk from the railway station to the Tower area in Pisa takes a while and is crowded with folks.Doing both Lucca and Pisa in the same day would be a rush and not do justice to either city.