How to Plan Your Shore Excursion to Florence from La Spezia
If you’re taking a cruise to La Spezia, you might be wondering how to make the most of your shore excursion to Florence. With this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about planning your Florence day trip from La Spezia.
Overview
This shore excursion takes you from La Spezia to Florence, one of the most beautiful cities in Tuscany. With an English and Spanish-speaking escort, you’ll explore the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the renowned Duomo – Cattedrale. Best of all, hotel pickup and drop-off is included for your convenience.
What’s Included
The Shore Excursion to Florence from La Spezia includes:
- Assistance on board
- English and Spanish speaking escort
- Free map of Florence
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
You have two options for meeting and pickup – you can either head directly to the meeting point or request pickup. The meeting point is Largo Michele Fiorillo, and the pickup point is La Spezia Cruise Terminal. Upon debarkation, passengers must take one of the free shuttle buses from the pier to the terminal, a ride that takes only five minutes. The staff will wait at the terminal exit wearing a GREEN T-Shirt.
End Point and Ticket Redemption Point
This activity ends back at the meeting point, located at Largo Michele Fiorillo. To redeem your tickets, simply present your voucher to the staff.
Pickup Details
Be sure to be at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before the departure time. At the meeting point, you will find the staff wearing a GREEN T-Shirt. No refund will be given in the case of late coming.
What to Expect
Your shore excursion to Florence includes a visit to the famous Duomo – Cattedrale, one of the most beautiful basilicas in the world. The tour includes five hours of admission, giving you ample time to explore the historic city of Florence. The tour also includes a free map of Florence to help you navigate the city with ease.
Booking Your Tour
Ready to book your shore excursion to Florence from La Spezia? Booking is easy – simply click here to book the tour now.
Conclusion
With this comprehensive guide, you’re ready to plan your shore excursion to Florence from La Spezia. With hotel pickup and drop-off, an English and Spanish-speaking escort, and admission to the famous Duomo – Cattedrale, this shore excursion is the perfect way to see the best of Florence in just one day.
Frequently Asked Questions About La Spezia
La Spezia is a beautiful coastal city located in the Liguria region of Italy. It is known for its stunning harbor, bustling markets, and charming old town. Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning for another adventure, it’s normal to have some questions about La Spezia before you go. In this post, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions to help you plan your trip.
1. What is the best time to visit La Spezia?
La Spezia is a year-round destination, with warm summers and mild winters. The peak tourist season is from June to August, when the weather is sunny and warm, and the city is bustling with tourists. However, this is also the busiest time of year, so be prepared for crowds and higher prices.If you want to avoid the crowds and still enjoy good weather, consider visiting in late spring (May to June) or early fall (September to October). The weather is still warm enough to enjoy the beaches and outdoor activities, and the city is less crowded.
2. How to get to La Spezia?
La Spezia is easily accessible by train, car, or ferry.By train, there are frequent connections from major cities like Florence, Pisa, Rome, and Genoa. The journey takes around 2-3 hours from Florence and Pisa, 4 hours from Rome, and 1 hour from Genoa.If you prefer driving, the A12 motorway connects La Spezia to the main Italian cities. Keep in mind that parking can be challenging in the city center, so it’s best to use public transportation or park in a designated parking area.Lastly, you can also take a ferry from nearby towns like Portovenere, Lerici, or the Cinque Terre villages. The ferry ride is a scenic way to explore the coast and enjoy the views of the Ligurian Sea.
3. What are the must-see attractions in La Spezia?
La Spezia has plenty of attractions to keep you busy during your visit. Here are some of the must-see sights:- The Naval Museum: This museum showcases the history of the Italian Navy and has an impressive collection of ship models, artifacts, and naval memorabilia.- The Castle of San Giorgio: This medieval castle is perched on a hill overlooking the city and offers breathtaking views of La Spezia and the surrounding countryside.- The Central Market: This lively market is the perfect place to sample local delicacies like focaccia, pesto sauce, fresh seafood, and wines.- The Church of Santa Maria Assunta: This Romanesque-style church dates back to the 13th century and features beautiful frescoes and a stunning rose window.- The Gulf of Poets: This picturesque bay is named after the famous poets who lived and wrote in the area, such as Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley.
4. Is La Spezia a safe city?
La Spezia is a relatively safe city, but like any place, it’s important to take precautions and be aware of your surroundings. Pickpocketing and petty theft are the most common crimes in tourist areas, so keep your valuables secure and avoid carrying large amounts of cash.Also, be cautious when walking alone at night, especially in quiet or poorly lit areas. It’s always best to stick to well-lit, crowded streets or take a taxi if you’re unsure.
5. What are the best day trips from La Spezia?
La Spezia is an ideal base for exploring the surrounding areas, which are rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Here are some of the best day trips from La Spezia:- The Cinque Terre: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a collection of five charming villages perched on the cliffs overlooking the sea. Each village has its own unique character and is connected by hiking trails, trains, and boats.- Portovenere: This colorful town is located at the southern tip of the Gulf of Poets and is known for its picturesque harbor, historic churches, and medieval castle.- Lerici: This seaside town is located on the eastern side of the Gulf of La Spezia and is famous for its pristine beaches, breathtaking views, and romantic atmosphere.- Pisa: This iconic city is known around the world for its Leaning Tower, but it also has a rich history and culture to explore.
Conclusion
La Spezia is a beautiful and diverse city that has something to offer for everyone. Whether you’re interested in history, food, nature, or just soaking up the Mediterranean sun, La Spezia is a destination not to be missed. We hope this guide has helped answer some of your questions and has inspired you to start planning your trip to one of Italy’s most charming cities.
How to Spend Your Time as a Tourist in La Spezia
If you are traveling to Italy, you should make time to visit the charming city of La Spezia. This city is found in the Liguria region and has a rich history, stunning landscape, delicious food, and welcoming people. To make the most of your experience, we have created this guide to help you explore the best attractions and activities in and around La Spezia.
1. Visit the La Spezia Harbor
Start your trip by visiting the magnificent harbor of La Spezia. This harbor dates back to the 1800s and serves as a commercial and tourist hub for the city. You can see a variety of boats and ships docking and can enjoy a stroll along the harbor to enjoy some refreshing sea breeze.
2. Explore the La Spezia Waterfront
Next, head over to the La Spezia waterfront and walk along the long seaside promenade. This is an excellent spot to enjoy the sweeping views of the Ligurian sea and discover a range of restaurants, cafes, and bars. You could also spend time watching the sunset as it’s one of the most beautiful places to do so in the region.
3. Discover the Nature Trails of Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is a renowned Unesco World Heritage Site and is often regarded as the top must-visit destination near La Spezia. It is a string of five picturesque coastal villages on the Italian Riviera along the Levante coast. The coastline trails connecting the villages offer interesting hikes through the rocky terrain overlooking vivid blue waters.
4. Walk Around the Historic Center
La Spezia’s historic center is bursting with cultural and historical significance. This area of La Spezia features the 15th-century San Giorgio Castle, an exquisite historic house- Villa Marigola, and the church of Santa Maria Assunta featuring impressive Romanesque architecture. Simply walking around the streets and alleys of the historic center is a relaxing and worthy experience.
5. Head to the Museums of La Spezia
For art and history lovers, La Spezia has some excellent museums to visit. One such museum is the naval Museum of Spezia, where you can discover the city’s naval heritage, including the weapons, models, and uniforms used by the Italian Navy. Another great option is the CAMeC or Centre of Art and Industrial Culture in La Spezia. This museum highlights the city’s industrial history with contemporary art exhibitions.
6. Enjoy a Day Trip to Portovenere
Less visited than nearby Cinque Terre, Portovenere is a charming village situated towards the western end of the Gulf of La Spezia. Here, you can find stunning attractions such as Doria Castle, the San Lorenzo Church, and the Grotta dell’ Arpaia, a cave with a naturally occurring salt lake.
7. Savor Local Cuisine
A visit to La Spezia will be incomplete without savoring the local food. The Ligurian cuisine is based on fresh, high-quality ingredients and is known for its simple yet delicious flavor. Seafood is the central ingredient used in many dishes, and Pesto, which is a Genoese specialty made with basil, is a popular ingredient used in many menus. La Spezia is also known for its wines such as Sciacchetrà – a sweet dessert wine. You can choose to try the dishes in the restaurants located near the harbor, along the waterfront or near the historic center.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, La Spezia is an incredible destination for tourists. It provides both cultural and natural experiences with walks through historic landmarks, exploring natural beauty, and savoring traditional Italian cuisine. By following this guide, you can make the most of your trip to La Spezia and experience all the city and its surroundings have to offer.
Table of Contents
