Florence/Pisa, Italy - Day 6 - Mediterranean Greek Isle Cruise

On our drive to Florence

We hired a private driver for our day in Italy!  We booked a Florence/Pisa Tour with Paola Migliorni and Guiseppe (www.florencetour.com).  We had read many good things about them.  It would be a full day - 9 hour tour!  We would spend some time driving to Florence, then Pisa before returning to the ship. We had met a family online on our www.cruisecritic.com roll call, and they joined us on the tour.  We got a better rate with more people.  There were 16 of us all together on the tour.  We had two vans/drivers and one guide.  The cost was 82.5 euros per person plus additional money for entrance fees.

Duomo, Florence

The Duomo is the Cathedral of Florence.  It is also call Saint Mary of the Flower for the lily (symbol of Florence).  Work began on the Cathedral in 1294 and was completed in 1436.

Baptistery, Florence - known for it's bronze doors

Church of Santa Croce

The Church of Santa Croce is famous for it's inhabitants!  The remains of Michelangelo and Galileo are entombed here.

Inside the Church of Santa Croce

Galileo (1564-1642)                        Michelangelo (1475-1564)

A copy of the David (Michelangelo) in front of Piazza della Signoria

Part of our tour included entrance to the Accademia (10euros per person).  By booking the tour with our private guide, we were able to avoid the lines and were guaranteed entrance into the museum.  This museum is home to the famous David created by Michelangelo from 1501-1504.  It is 17ft tall and has amazing detail.  You are not allowed to take photos inside, so we had to take a photo of a copy outside of Piazza della Signoria.  The originally was moved from the Piazza in 1873 to protect it, and the copy was created.  

Piazza della Signoria                                       gelato

Ponte Vecchio crosses the Arno River - known for the
shops that align the bridge

If you rub the nose of this,
you will return to Florence some day!

Florence, Italy

Our Group

Santa Maria della Spina, on our way to Pisa

Leaning Tower of Pisa, Field of Miracles

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a bell tower.  The tilt began during construction due to an inadequate foundation on soft ground.  It stands just over 183 feet and has 296 stairs.  

Cathedral (Duomo)