Friday 5th October 2018
From the port city of Livorno, the glories of Tuscany unfold. The incredible architecture and allure of Florence, the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, the hilltop Tuscan towns of San Gimignano and Voltera, the walled city of Lucca and the picturesque villages of the Poets‘ Gulf await your discovery.
Really, really stupidly early alarm today. Meeting time for our tour at 07:15!
Don’t much like getting up before dawn with the day hardly getting going.
Tour today to Florence, a half day on our own.
About two hours to Florence, rush hour traffic! Our guide spoke at great length and told us all about Tuscany and Florence.
The coach dropped us off on the road down by the River Arno. Then we all walked to the Piazza Santa Croce. Our drop off and our meeting point for later.
After enduring the requisite sales pitch from the jewellery shop we were free to go our own way.
First a walk weaving our way up to the Piazza Del Duomo. Queues for entry rather long so it was just an external visit to the Duomo, the Campanile and the Baptistry.
The Duomo
The Campanile
The Baptistry
Winding walk down towards the river to view the statues in the Piazza Della Signoria, including a copy of Michelangelo’s David, Giambologna’s Rape of the Sabines, the Medici Lions and about 20 others.
David (on the left)
In the square is the Palazzo Vecchio museum and the Uffizi Museum, the queues also very long, so once again only external views.
On again to view the famous Ponte Vecchio. An interesting medieval style bridge lined with homes and shops.
Then on by the river and back to Santa Croce. Just time remaining for a fast walk across the river and up the hill to the Piazzale Michelangelo for panoramic views over the city.
Also clear views of the Old City Walls from up here, most of the walls lost during modernisation of the city, luckily some bits left.
Back again to Santa Croce to find a gelato to sustain us on the bus ride back to the ship.
Once our group all got back together we walked to the coach for the return journey, a bit quicker this time.
The most popular mode of local transport
Back on board Queen Victoria straight up to the buffet for a drink and a light snack.
Then back to cabin for a relax and recuperate, and to watch a film on the TV.
All morning the weather was clear and sunny, the afternoon clouded up to just sunny intervals.
Early show in the theatre tonight, "The Revolvers" again. Another excellent show of sixties numbers.
Then up for a late supper in the buffet before retiring for the night.
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