Florence and Pisa Anyone? Mediterranean Cruise Part 2

Destination: Florence and Pisa Italy
Date: December 2012

One of my favorite pics as the kids walked the wet streets of Florence, Italy
December 2012

Welcome to the Port of Livorno!  Also known as the port to the beautiful cities of Florence and Pisa.  On day two of our cruise we landed in Livorno and were met by our tour guide Sylvia who works for prestigerent.com.  She was probably the most excellent guide we have ever encountered on any of our travels. She was bright, prompt, had excellent English, and she never missed an opportunity to share her wealth of knowledge.  On top of all of that, she was very accommodating to our group of eight.  We loved her!  

Ponte Vecchio bridge taken during our walk through the city
Florence December 2012

As I’ve mentioned before (in the Singapore post) we don’t do well in large travel excursions arranged by the cruise ships.  Most of the time we’ve been herded on to large buses where I pray that my kids won’t wine for a snack, or need to visit a restroom.  Then I pray that they will be quiet so that all of the other site-seers can hear the guide at the front of the bus.   After learning this lesson rather quickly, we have been arranging our own tours.  This was another day we were glad we did so.  

Ponte Santa Trinita probably the third oldest bridge in Italy but rebuilt after WWII
Took this photo from Ponte Vecchio
December 2012

When we met Sylvia it was 8:30 am and she was permitted to come inside the boat dock to meet us right by the buses.  As all the other cruisers were boarding their buses we jumped in our van and took off for Florence.  This gave us a good half hour head start on all of the others.  

The kids and Trent pose with the statue of Nettuna, a Roman God of the Sea
sculpted around 1575 by Ammannati
Florence December 2012

During our drive she gave us some amazing facts on the landscape and mountains in the Tuscan area.  The drive was absolutely beautiful and reminded me a lot of Napa Valley. (See my post on Napa!)  It was a gorgeous setting and though I’ve been to Florence before in 2009 it had been during the summer, and seeing it in the winter was a great contrast in climate.  During my previous summer trip it was very warm and had a lot of humidity, this time it was cool, and even foggy in the morning during our beautiful drive.  Another big contrast is how short the drive was for us this time.  During the summer visit it took us almost two hours to make it to Florence from Livorno, this time however, the roads were empty and we made it in one hour!  That was a great benefit since this time we had come with all six of our kids.

Bailey, 11, posing on the Ponte Vecchio bridge during our first visit to Florence in December 2009

Bella eating her gelato on Ponte Santa Trinita
Florence December 2012

When we arrived in Florence, Sylvia drove us through the town a little so we could get our bearings and then up to Michelangelo Square.  This was a beautiful outlook over the city and is the home to the brass replica of Michelangelo’s David.  Though it has turned green from the elements it is just as beautiful as the original.  It is also a symbol of Florence that represents how perfect the statue and the people of this area.  Our guide pointed out many important buildings, bridges, and even the original wall that surrounded this magnificent city so long ago.  

Posing with the replica bronze statue of Michelangelo's David
Florence December 2012

The view of Florence from Michelangelo's Square
December 2012

Once we left the square we went down to visit some of the churches and cathedrals in the area.  The Chiesa di Santa Croce was our first stop.  The beautiful cathedral with green, white, and pink marble, quarried from the surrounding areas, was a beautiful site. This is also where Michelangelo's tomb rests with three figurines on top that represent painting, sculpture, and  architecture.  From there it was on to the Uffizi where we visited the other David replica in Signora Square.  Being a holiday in Florence meant the Uffizi Museum was closed on the day we visited.  We were bummed.  However, there are so many naked statues here that my kids could hardly stop giggling, but the history is amazing and we had fun talking about many different biblical and mythical stories that are represented here.  

All eight of us in front of  Chiesa di Santa Croce
Florence December 2012

Lexi making the statue of David a little more modest for our photo
Florence December 2012

My sister "C" giving the statue of Nettuna a pinch on the bum during our previous visit
to Florence in July 2009

This was all just outside of the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Florence.  
From there we saw more amazing sights and left to find lunch at a nice pizzeria.  Our group happened upon the Vesuvio's Pizzeria, www.ovesuviofirenze.com, which was once of the favorites of the cast of New Jersey Shores when they visited Florence.  Of course we didn’t know this until we were seated inside but we didn’t miss seeing the casts autographs on the wall or advertisements posted.  It was a funny experience and the pizza was delicious.  They didn’t seem to have heat though, so our fingers were a little numb due to the 50o weather outside.  It was a nice stop where we ate, used the restroom, had a drink, and were off for more!

Waiting for our pizza at Vesuvio's Pizzeria
Florence December 2012

So happy to have found gelato only to walk across the bridge Ponte Santa Trinita to find our creperia!
Florence December 2012

Trent and I posing in front of Ponte Vecchio while on our quest for crepes!
Florence December 2012

My kids next goal was to find a creperia but Trent had another plan.  He wanted to cross the Ponte Vecchio bridge, walk down through the city on that side and then cross back over the Ponte Santa Trinita bridge.  All the while we took photos, laughed a lot, and took more photos.  My kids were getting sick and tired every time I found a photo op!

All six kids posing with the Porcellino (piglet) Created in 1634 by Pietro Tacca
Florence December 2012

Our last big monument to visit while in Florence was the  Porcellino.  It is their lucky pig.  Legend goes that if you rub the pigs nose a return trip to Florence is guaranteed, and if you place a coin in the pigs mouth and it falls through the grate below you will receive good luck.  Our kids of course all had to get their coins and take their pictures in hopes that they would return to Florence someday.  Since we had run across this pig in our previous trip to Florence with the three older kids, they loved knowing it had all come full circle.  

Trent, my sister "C" and Colton,13, Bailey,11, and Clay,8, enjoying the Porcellino in 2009

By this time we found our gelato. Then we found waffles and nutella on the street and had to stop again. Finally our visit to Florence came to a close.  Now I know you are wondering why we didn’t see the original David statue, visit Galileo’s Museum, or go to any other museums and the answer is simple... everything was closed!  Crazy that we had come all this way but December 26, the day of our visit was a holiday in Italy called St Stephano Day.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa really is leaning! All six kids were amazed by this!
Pisa, December 2012

Duomo di Pisa as seen from the top of the Tower
Pisa, December 2012

From Florence it was a forty-minute drive over to Pisa.  Basically the rival city of Florence, and at one time the main shipping port in the area.  We had a nice rest in our van where the kids could be as loud as they wanted.  After arriving in Pisa at about 3:00pm we walked around, took a ton of pictures in Pisa Square where all the kids wanted to act like they were holding up the tower and then we decided to buy some tickets to go up.  

Bella shopping for some souvenirs in the shops on the way to the Tower
Pisa December 2012

Trent is such a great dad carrying all the necessities kids need
and trinkets we pick up along the way in his day pack
Pisa December 2012

Admission to the Leaning Tower of Pisa cost us 15E each and was only accessible for kids 8 and up.  So we took turns going to the top so one adult could stay down with Bella.  While I waited for Trent to take the first group of our kids up Colton and I went over to a nearby cafe and had hot chocolates.  Let me tell you that hot chocolates are much different in Italy than they are in the US.  It is like warming up a milk chocolate candy bar to liquid and drinking it.  It is rich and way too much chocolate for any one person to drink on their own.  So if you make it over and order a hot chocolate make sure you have someone to share it with!  

Our hot chocolate by the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Looks like a melted candy bar!
December 2012

Bailey,11,  holding the tower up during our first visit in July 2009

The kids love these action shots as they pose in front of every monument and
statue we could find on our trip
Pisa, December 2012

By the time Colton and I went up the tower we climbed all 253 steps to the bell tower.  It was a difficult climb since the tower is leaning it sometimes it felt like we were climbing up hill and other times gravity was on our side as we still climbed the stairs.  Going up a lopsided tower was a different experience for sure!  By the end of our climb it was time to head back to Livorno.  Another twenty-five minutes and we were back to board at 6:00pm.  It was a long day but very fulfilling for everyone.  

The stairs from the top of the Tower going down.  It was 254 stairs to the top!
Pisa, December 2012

Colton thinking about his big dreams at the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Pisa, December 2012

So my biggest tip of the day would be to get your group organized and hire a private tour.  As Sylvia let us know they are known as “pirates”in the industry since they are taking away from the organized cruise excursions but they make for a much better fit for a family or person needing individual attention.  The only problem is unlike cruise excursions, if your ship does not make port for some reason there usually is not a refund from these private tours.  Also if your private tour does not get back to the ship on time the ship will not wait.  The cruise excursions will usually wait for a bus but not for a van.  So let that be my warning but in the end it will not deter me from doing this in the future.  I think it is the best way to see a place like this, and worth the extra money in the long run.

Imitating the statues
Pisa, December 2012

At the top of the "Leaning Tower of Pizza" as Lexi called it...
Pisa December 2012

As always safe and happy travels!!