About Rome
- Rome's Budding Street Art Scene
25 January, 2023 - The Life and Reign of Emperor Claudius
19 January, 2023 - The Baroque Period in Rome
12 January, 2023
Why Choose It?
- Ascend the Leaning Tower of Pisa for sweeping views of the city.
- Discover the true Tuscan treasure of little-known Lucca.
- Immerse yourself in Tuscan culture with a knowledgeable local guide.
Tour Description
Florence has no shortage of cultural treasures. But so many travelers know about them that the Renaissance city can get very crowded. That’s why we’ve designed this day-trip: so you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city to explore two of Tuscany’s less-visited wonders.
Your private Pisa and Lucca tour transports you through the Tuscan countryside to visit Florence’s great historical rival: Pisa. You’ll visit the vertically challenged Leaning Tower of Pisa where – subject to advanced reservation and availability – you’ll climb its dizzying heights. After wandering the Piazza of Miracles, we’ll make our way to the enchanting walled town of Lucca where you’ll be treated to an authentic taste of Tuscan life.
Visit the vertically challenged Leaning Tower of Pisa
All travelers in Tuscany aspire to make a stop at the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Yet few people ever get to go inside and climb it. This is what we can organise for you with advanced reservation and subject to the availability of priority tickets (which we’ll communicate to you long before your tour).
It’s no wonder this 14th century tower attracts so much attention. With its winding stairwell of nearly 300 steps, and disorientating lean of five degrees, this architectural freak of nature has simultaneously intrigued and baffled visitors for centuries. The Leaning Tower is quite safe, for now! Just don’t rule out an impromptu reenactment of Hitchcock’s “Vertigo” while you’re up there.
Explore the aptly named Piazza of Miracles
As you might expect from one of the Mediterranean’s most powerful medieval city-states, Pisa boasts a remarkable architectural legacy. Its 12th century Duomo easily rivals those of Florence and Siena equivalents. Towering over the piazza are four colonnaded levels of white stone and dark-grey marble, while inside the Duomo’s richly ornate interior are such resplendent artworks as an apse mosaic by Cimabue.
Another unmissable attraction on the Piazza of Miracles is the Pisa Baptistery of Saint John. Completed in 1363, this part-Romanesque, part-Gothic marble structure is a true visual feast. As the largest baptistery in Italy, its interior architecture is overwhelming. Though stripped of ornamentation, it boasts an incredible colonnaded dome and 13th century pulpit.
Journey across Tuscany and wander the Lucca City Walls
The walled medieval town of Lucca is as enchanting as it is unpresumptuous, still largely undiscovered by Tuscany’s hundreds of thousands of visitors. If you’re looking for an authentic taste of Tuscan life in a traditional countryside city, Lucca is the perfect destination.
Lucca has no shortage of things do see. But as with all Italian cities, it’s well worth whiling away a few hours exploring its quirky medieval streets and alleyways at your leisure, popping into its shops, bars, and artisan gelaterias as and when the moment takes you. One unmissable experience is seeing Lucca from above which you can do by walking or cycling its Renaissance walls which still completely encircle the city.
Marvel at the Romanesque Church of San Michele in Foro
Lucca is home to the wealth of churches you’d expect from any Italian city. But by far the most beautiful is the Church of San Michele in Foro. Standing on the site of Lucca’s Roman Forum, San Michele is a stunning example of Tuscan Romanesque architecture. Its 11th century facade is impossibly ornate: exhibiting perhaps the finest example of its kind anywhere in Italy.
Explore the Piazza of the Amphitheater
Roman history runs deep in the stunning city of Lucca. It was here, in fact, that Julius Caesar, Pompey Magnus, and Crassus formed the famous First Triumvirate in 56 BC. Like Rome, Lucca boasts many Roman sites underlying the medieval street plan. And the most intriguing of all without doubt is the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro (Amphitheater Piazza).
As is apparent from the shape, the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro stands above Lucca’s ancient Roman amphitheater. Like Piazza Navona in Rome, the modern square derives its shape entirely from the structure that underlies it. It was a big beast, once able to accommodate some 10,000 spectators. Envisage the gladiatorial spectacles that would have once taken place here as you explore this charming piazza. Then wander onto one of its nearby streets to indulge in a well deserved gelato or aperitivo.
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Itinerary:Leaning Tower of PisaPisa DuomoPisa BaptisteryLucca WallsSan Michele in ForoPiazza of the Amphitheater
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Included:Expert guide in LuccaPrivate car and English-speaking driver
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Wheelchair accessible:Yes
excellent guides
Our guides are fluent in English and have a contagious passion for the inspiring cultural heritage of our Italian cities. Experts in their fields, they will immerse you in the hidden histories and intriguing lives of history's great protagonists. So much to see, so easy to miss out: with the help of our guides, visit the most absorbing sites and uncover the stories that have changed the world. Don't miss this fascinating journey!
Terrific Trastevere Food Tour with Luca! Luca took my wife and myself on a wonderful food tour through Trastevere. The things we saw and ate and learned were excellent. The best part was Luca's friendly nature.... read more
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A must do experience This cooking class was a highlight of our trip. We got to meet a young chef, Sara. She had us decide what to cook. Then we walked through... read more
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Best Food Tour We Took! My fiance and I capped off our first full day in Rome with this lovely food tour. Luca was friendly, excited, and knowledgeable. We got to try a ton of... read more
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Worth every penny. What an evening! This was without a doubt the highlight of my trip. A great evening with plenty of incredible local food and drink and a really good way to meet and... read more
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Delicious food from fabulous foody Luca Boccia was PHENOMENAL!
His knowledge of Italian cuisine was exceptional, especially welcomed because it included more than just the well known dishes. He was funny and friendly, making our... read more -
A Must Do Tour of Sistine Chapel Amazing! This was my third time to the Vatican but this time I took my adult/teen children and wife and we used a tour guide. It was a... read more
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Amazing evening activity in Rome Excellent night with Sara on her birthday!
We drank wine, ate amazing food and capped it with gelato!! -
Amazing walking food tour w Luca B My wife and I had an amazing walking food tour through the Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere. Luca B was extremely informative and accommodating. Would absolutely recommend to anyone!
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Best tour ever. Martha was our guide. She is the best. They way she explained all , answered our questions give us all the information in every place all was wonderful. It was... read more
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Great Food Stroll with Luca We did the Trastevere Food Stroll with Luca B and he was great! Brought us to great authentic locations and provided his expert advice! We would highly recommend this tour... read more
