When your Mediterranean cruise ship docks at Livorno, you are just minutes away from one of the world’s foremost centers of art, history, and culture, the city of Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, home of the Medici dynasty. And whatever your interests, there are Livorno shore excursions that will entertain, educate, and enhance your visit to this magical city. Close by are the cities of Pisa, famous for its Leaning Tower of Pisa, and Lucca, birthplace of the opera composer Giacomo Puccini.

Among the best ways to discover Florence are full-day Livorno cruise tours that show you the most important sights of the city – Piazza Santa Croce, the Ponte Vecchio, Michelangelo’s famous statue of David, the multifaceted Duomo and the carved bronze doors of the Baptistery, countless works of art and architecture, just to name a few. And, the excursions offer multiple ways to be transported to and around the city, from walking tours to private van tours, motor coach, vintage train, electric cart tours, and even one that’s GPS-guided.

Shopping is a much-prized art in Florence, and several popular Livorno shore excursions offer opportunities such as a guided tour of a leather factory, where you can watch master craftsmen create special pieces, including jackets and handbags. Stroll the Ponte Vecchio and be dazzled by the assortment of gold and gem-studded jewelry – earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and watches.

Livorno shore excursions to Pisa to stroll the Piazza dei Miracoli, “Square of Miracles,” a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and to see up close the Leaning Tower of Pisa are excellent choices for a day trip. There are options for combo tours to also see the major sights of Florence.

When it’s time to take a break from the glories of Renaissance art and architecture, there are multiple cafes, restaurants, and street vendors around the city, offering everything from espresso and pastry to gelato, or if you’re up for a hearty meal, the most famous food of Florence, Bistecca alla Fiorentina is a must-try: An ultra-thick-cut T-bone steak, priced by the kilo, grilled to rare, seasoned only with salt and pepper, and spritzed with fresh lemon--delizioso! If you just can’t get enough pasta, schedule a dream excursion that takes you outside the city to the hills of Tuscany and a family-owned pasta factory; learn the secrets of making perfectly cooked pasta during a culinary demonstration, and savor a multicourse lunch at a Tuscan farmhouse.