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SHORE EXCURSIONS FROM LIVORNO PORT
VOLTERRA AND SAN
GIMIGNANO - COD. LISE06
This tour
takes you through the picturesque Tuscan countryside to the magical and
mysterious cities of Volterra and San Gimignano.
Departing from your ship in Livorno Port, you'll reach one of the finest and
lesser known hilltop towns tucked away in the heart of Tuscany, Volterra, a
beautiful city of Etruscan origin.
The "magic and mysterious" city of Volterra has its roots in three thousand
years of history. It is possible to find evidence and traces from every
historical period which gives the artistic city a unique aspect. The ancient
city walls, the imposing Porta all'Arco, the Necropolis of Marmini and the
numerous archaeological finds conserved in the Museo Etrusco Guarnacci like
the Ombra della Sera with its unique profile, the funeral urns and the
finely crafted jewellery, bear testimony of the Etruscan period. The Theatre
of Vallebona survives from the period of Augustus and suggests the
importance of Volterra under Roman domination. Today the city conserves,
above all, a medieval aspect not only for the 12th century city walls but
also because of the urban layout with narrow streets, palaces, tower houses
and churches. The Renaissance had an important influence on Volterra but
without changing the city's medieval character. From this period are the
superb palaces of Minucci Solaini, Incontri-Viti and Inghirami, which are
built into the medieval city, the imposing Fortezza Medicea and the Convent
of San Girolamo. Volterra is also a city of museums. Other than the Etruscan
Museum there is the Civic Art Gallery with a fine collection of works from
the Sienese and Florentine Schools, among which is the Deposition from the
Cross by Rosso Fiorentino. The Museum of Sacred Art has an important
collection of reliquary, 14th century Sienese sculpture and miniatures. You
cannot talk about Volterra without mentioning Alabaster, an artistic
handicraft that boasts a centuries-old history and a nobility of traditions
that can be felt in every nook and corner of the town. San Gimignano's
cultural and natural patrimony have been recognized by UNESCO, but even more
impressive is the medieval skyline made up of the 13 remaining towers and
the views from above and below them. San Gimignano rises on a hill (334m
high) dominating the Elsa Valley with its towers which date back to the 11
century. The town increased in wealth and developed greatly during the
middle Ages thanks to the "Via Francigena" the trading and pilgrim's route
that crossed it. Such prosperity lead to the flourishing of works of art to
adorn the churches and monasteries. On 8 May 1300 Dante Alighieri came to
San Gimignano as the Ambassador of the Guelph League in Tuscany. In 1348 San
Gimignano's population was drastically reduced by the Black Death Plague
throwing the city into a serious crisis which eventually led to its
submission to Florence in 1353. In the following centuries San Gimignano
overcame its decline and isolation when its beauty and cultural importance
together with its agricultural heritage were rediscovered. Once in San
Gimignano, other than admiring the famous towers, you can also see the "Duomo"
or Collegiate Church, the "Palazzo del Popolo", the "Palazzo Nuovo del
Podestà" (which is now the town hall), S. Agostino Church, the Museum of
Holy Relics, and the infamous Museum of Torture, which displays early
instruments of torture and reminds everyone that cruelty and violence
existed even way back then. On a lighter note, there are numerous shops
which sell local products including the "Vernaccia" wine. At the end you
will drive back to Livorno pier on perfect time to reboard your ship.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Available:
all year round
Tour length: 9 hours
Stops: Volterra - San Gimignano
Driving Time: Livorno - Volterra 1 hour and 30
mins
Volterra - San Gimignano 30 mins
San Gimignan - Livorno 1 hour and 30 mins
Pick up - drop off location: At your ship at Livorno Port
Pick up time (suggested): 8.00am
Price includes: private vehicle and English speaking
driver, all taxes, insurance, drivers maintenance, gasoline,
parking and tolls.
Price does not include: Meals and entrance fees where
required.
Vehicle: To be more comfortable we suggest
hiring a sedan per party up to 3 people and a van for larger
parties.
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RATES PER VEHICLE |
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Luxury Sedan |
Luxury Van |
Luxury Van |
Executive |
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* up to 4 people |
4 to 6 people |
7 or 8 people |
* up to 4 people |
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Euro 490.00 |
Euro 550.00 |
Euro 650.00 |
Euro 750.00 |
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*Vehicle:
To be more comfortable we suggest hiring a sedan per
party up to 3 people and a van for larger parties.
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EXCURSIONS LIST >>
The proposed itineraries are only examples of
possible tours, because we arrange personalized
tours. We invite our clients
to contact
one of our tour coordinator to help them
design their own tour; deciding when and where to stop and how long
to visit.
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