Thread: Brilliance OTS . November 13 2008

Hi Judy,

The prices you got from Tuscany by Taxi are really good. They are round trip right??
The reason why I am asking is because I`ve seen their website and for a tour-transfer they quoted me a one way fare.

We would be happy to join in on the Florence - Pisa tour. But before I confirm I have to check out weather we are doing Lucca and Pisa instead of Florence.
If we do Florence this time it will be our 4th time in the city since last November and we might be taking a 5 or 7 days cruise next year with our families that also will stop in Livorno-Florence!! So it might be interesting to see something else.

A driver will only give you basic information. A driver-guide will give more indepth information and most of the times he or she is a licenced guide.

I do feel the same as the rest of your group when it comes to taking the train to Rome. But like I mentioned over at the DS roll-call, if we are a group taking the same train to and from Rome we could jump in a taxi IF something should happen with the train.

Hi Lars,

Here's a copy of their response via email.

Hello,
A day tour of Florence and Pisa cost euro 320.00 (1-4 people), euro 360.00
(5-6 people), euro 400.00 (7-8 people).
Starting from the ship with a big van, with a.c., in 1 hour you are in Florence. The driver is at your disposition to go everywhere you like.
Usually the first stop is in Michelangelo Square to see the best view of the city, then we go to Santa Croce Church and stop there for a visit.
Next stop is at the Academy where the original David is and then we move to the Duomo area in the centre of the city, for a long stop. There you can have a pretty walking tour to see the Signoria Square, the Uffizi Gallery, the Old Bridge and have lunch and shopping. In the afternoon we spend 1 hour drive to go to Pisa and stop in the Miracle Square where the Baptistery, the Church and the incredible Leaning Tower are. In half an hour we are back to the port.
The tour is 8-9 hour or less if you like. The price is for the van and you have to pay cash directly to the driver at the end of the tour.
No problem for the Harley store.


It looks to me as if it is a full day tour with the driver. I'm going to email again to make sure it includes gas, tolls, etc. I think his quote of "for the van" is informing me that admission into the sites and lunch are additional, but I'll make sure prior to reserving.

As for Lucca, one of the people in my group has a friend that does a Lucca vacation every year. She was thinking of Lucca until she realized she'd have to give up Florence.

This friend fell in love with Lucca and from what I understand, it's absolutely beautiful there!


If you do decide to join us, we, right now anyway, are thinking of climbing Pisa so we would be at Pisa for at least an hour, depending on how quickly we can climb! LOL I just wanted to mention that in case you planning a shorter visit at Pisa.

Thank you Judy.
The tour is really good!!! - 1 hour in Pisa is also what I had in mind.
I will get back to you as soon as we have made up our minds.

We arrive in Livorno at 7am and leave at 7pm.
I pressume the van will pick us up at 8am (???) and return to the ship at aprox 5pm (???)
So we will be in Florence from aprox. 9am until 2-230pm and Pisa 3-330pm until 4-430pm.
Thats very ok too!!

I'm so jealous

Originally Posted by hanna

I'm so jealous

Sorry hanna

Maybe someone will have an airfare sale?

Any frequent flyer miles?

Originally Posted by ziggysun

Sorry hanna

Maybe someone will have an airfare sale?

Any frequent flyer miles?

Yeah, enough for one ticket. And then they really get you on the other one.
Maybe next year when gas goes down

Hanna, you could just say S_____ it and close your eyes while you hand over your credit card details to your ta !!! Justify it with "its a once in a lifetime tour", its yours and your DS birthday presents and christmas gifts at the same time and you deserve it

Hi Judy - we are running two roll-call threads now. This could be interesting and confusing

I am sorry to say that we have decided on doing Lucca & Pisa instead of Florence this time.
I just have to see Lucca!!!! It was not an easy decition as your tour to Florence are perfect and the price are very good too!!

****

As for now, we are planning on catching an early train from Livorno to Lucca. We plan to be there for around 9am. On the way back we will stop in Pisa.

If someone else is interesting in the same tour I could get a private car or van.
the price for up to 4 is €240 and from 6-8 its €280. The driver will take the country roads instead of the highway!!

We have already booked the tour to the Amalfi coast again. We are going back no matter what!!

Originally Posted by lmyren

Hi Judy - we are running two roll-call threads now. This could be interesting and confusing

I am sorry to say that we have decided on doing Lucca & Pisa instead of Florence this time.
I just have to see Lucca!!!! It was not an easy decition as your tour to Florence are perfect and the price are very good too!!

****

As for now, we are planning on catching an early train from Livorno to Lucca. We plan to be there for around 9am. On the way back we will stop in Pisa.

If someone else is interesting in the same tour I could get a private car or van.
the price for up to 4 is €240 and from 6-8 its €280. The driver will take the country roads instead of the highway!!

We have already booked the tour to the Amalfi coast again. We are going back no matter what!!

Hi Lars,

I did see that! and I did respond over there, but I'll also respond here that it's no problem. If I'd been to Florence before I'd be heading to Lucca too!

I'm glad you booked your tour to the Amalfi. Unfortunately we really want to do Pompeii.

If you're still taking the train to/from Civitavecchia & Rome. We could still try to leave and return the same time in case there was an issue with the train. Since we're doing the private tour in Florence, I was trying to save some money in Rome, especially since the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel are closed.

We're thinking of taking the train in Cannes to Monaco, have you ever been? and if so, do you think 4 hours is enough time to see Monaco? The couple I'm traveling with have never been to Europe or on a cruise so I don't want to try to fit more than Monaco & Cannes in for the day. They're probably going to be nervous in Florence & Rome as it is! LOL

We really want to see Monaco though since Princess Grace grew up 3 miles away from where we live!