Art & Scent of the Sea: Pisa, Lucca, Viareggio

The great Art Cities near the coast and the famous Versilian Sea.

Dive into a "sea of beauty", and live an experience of emotional discovery of splendid art masterpieces, an exciting call from a famous seaside resort and a relaxing encounter with a splendid nature. Lucca is along the road that from Florence leads towards the coast. It is a refined city of art, surrounded by renaissance style tree-lined walls, interrupted by beautiful doors and impressive bastions. You can start with a beautiful walk along a stretch of the city walls, enjoy a wonderful overview on roofs, alleys, tower-houses, wonderful churches and aristocratic palaces of the city, and then move into the historical town centre, which is easy to visit because of its dimensions. Discover Piazza S. Michele, the heart of the city, with the splendid Basilica in white limestone (12th 14th century) and the splendid Palazzo Pretorio. Pass by the characteristic shops overlooking the squares and narrow roads and reach Piazza del Mercato where you can admire the particular shape built on the tracks of the Roman amphitheatre dating back to the second century BC. Then visit the famous Gothic Cathedral of San Martino (11th century) with the sculptural masterpiece of the tomb of Ilaria del Carretto and discover the characteristic Torre Guinigi with a huge holm on the top. After a short journey, we reach the splendid and flat Versilian coast, in the seaside town of Viareggio, famous for its beautiful beaches, for the wonderful "Liberty" architecture that characterizes many of its buildings and the long and exciting walk along "Viale del Mare" with cafschantant, restaurants, shops, and venues that are among the most elegant of the coast. Enjoy some free time to admire the architecture of the bathing establishments along the famous Viale Margherita, the chalet and cafs, including the Gran Caff Margherita, a Liberty style-building symbol of the city. You can taste the fragrant cuisine of Viareggio in one of the many restaurants on the seafront and, during the warmer seasons, take a dip into the warm Tyrrhenian Sea with the spectacular backdrop of the Apuan Alps white marble sparkling in the sun. Then, in the afternoon, we move inland and reach the famous city of Pisa, one of the most renowned worldwide, waiting for us with the glittering sight of Piazza dei Miracoli, UNESCO heritage, where the peerless masterpieces in marble rise from the green lawn. The famous Leaning Tower, the magnificent Baptistery, the stunning Cathedral, and the Monumental Graveyard, maximum expressions of the Romanesque architecture of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries which house works of immense artistic value.

Included: Pick Up and Drop Off at the Hotel*, transport in luxury minivan, qualified English speakingdriver-guide.

* For those staying in Hotels in the old town

Times: Wed & Sat @ 08:30am

Child Policy: Pay Full Price
Running Time: 11 hours

Meeting Point: Please arrive 5 minutes before start of tour at Piazza della Repubblica, in front of the Caff Gilli.