Florence or Lucca/Pisa

[gatorfreud]

We did Pisa and Vernazza in 2011. We did not climb the tower though, but if you really want to see Cinque Terre and Pisa, it's possible. We screwed up on our train going from Pisa back to La Spezia, but if we hadn't done that we could have easily squeezed in two towns, which was our original plan. Just FYI...it is possible!

Good to know! I am going to watch you guys closely this summer to see what time I can reasonably get to Pisa and book my climb time for that (we aren't until 2014). Then maybe I can get some Cinque Terre in! I realy just want to go to 1st two towns, I think I'm ok with that. For sure the whole place will be on my next time list, esp. after I saw these photos!! She has two awesome posts!

http://www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/travel/cinque-terre-part-2.html

 

[ldo]

for your kids' ages---Pisa. My 9 yr olds remember the Tower and could not tell you 1 thing about Florence. This summer, they want to get back and climb it--you have to be either 8 or over 8. If age 8 is OK, I highly suggest climbing the Tower. We also loved Lucca--maybe a bit boring for kids, unless you have time to rent bikes and ride around on the top.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I'm a girl and I also would have enjoyed that. Just sayin'.

I did too! I art and history.

 

[JimmyJackJunior]

Good to know! I am going to watch you guys closely this summer to see what time I can reasonably get to Pisa and book my climb time for that (we aren't until 2014). Then maybe I can get some Cinque Terre in! I realy just want to go to 1st two towns, I think I'm ok with that. For sure the whole place will be on my next time list, esp. after I saw these photos!! She has two awesome posts!

http://www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/travel/cinque-terre-part-2.html

Wel assuming the timing is the same as this year the trains leaving at 8:07 and 8:20 are probably infeasible. The 9:19 gets you in at 10:17 at Pisa Centrale. You are still a bus/taxi ride away. You need to check in 15 minutes prior to your climb and you can climb every 15 minutes. I would say you can climb at about 11:15 allowing for a little bit of delay.

 

[gatorfreud]

Hmmm... ok so maybe we climb at 12 or 12:30, done 1:30, back to ship area by 3? That still gives a few hours, maybe I can squeeze something in! I could even bump it up a bit, but I figure we will look around at the rest of the stuff in tower area, so we will do that first, building in a cushion as well.

Maybe!?!? That would be so awesome. Thanks!

 

[JimmyJackJunior]

Hmmm... ok so maybe we climb at 12 or 12:30, done 1:30, back to ship area by 3? That still gives a few hours, maybe I can squeeze something in! I could even bump it up a bit, but I figure we will look around at the rest of the stuff in tower area, so we will do that first, building in a cushion as well.

Maybe!?!? That would be so awesome. Thanks!

Honestly I don't think it works. Even if you are back by 3 you are still starting your travelling again. Maybe if you had a car ready to pick you up at La Spezia. Think you would be better combining Lucca with Pisa though.

 

[gatorfreud]

waaaah... now I am trying to figure out if we can squeeze Pisa in on our way from Rome to Venice in our pre-cruise week. Doubt it. Boo.

 

[lilpooh108]

waaaah... now I am trying to figure out if we can squeeze Pisa in on our way from Rome to Venice in our pre-cruise week. Doubt it. Boo.

You can if you decide to train to Rome from either Pisa or La Spezia instead of going back on the ship, and catch the train to Rome. Then you meet back on the ship after your Rome day.

 

[gatorfreud]

No, I'm not going to miss the ship... we are planning on starting in Rome, then Venice, then Barcelona to get the ship. (arriving a week early). If we could knock out Pisa then, it would free up my port day for Cinque Terre. But going Rome-Pisa-Venice seems too hard. So I will try to squeeze in on Cinque town after Pisa on the boat, or (sigh) save it for next trip. Again.

Kim

 

[TLSnell1981]

But going Rome-Pisa-Venice seems too hard. So I will try to squeeze in on Cinque town after Pisa on the boat, or (sigh) save it for next trip. Again.

Kim

Not really. You can take the fast train..Roma-Pisa in 2 1/2 hours. It's about 3 1/2 hours Pisa-Venezia. We nap on the train.

 

[geoffrey]

how about Florence and Pisa?
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/cruises-destinations/shore-excursions/la-spezia-italy/florence-and-pisa/
We are strongly looking at this PA, unless someone knows of why this would be a bad idea?

 

[lilpooh108]

how about Florence and Pisa?
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/cruises-destinations/shore-excursions/la-spezia-italy/florence-and-pisa/
We are strongly looking at this PA, unless someone knows of why this would be a bad idea?

We booked our excursions last night, and chose Lucca & Pisa b/c Lucca is only 70 minutes from the Port, while Florence is a 2.5 hour drive. My kids just can't be in the car that long. Plus, there are some blogs highlighting Lucca and it seems very family friendly w/bike rentals, playgrounds, laid back restaurants.

The other adults in my group are going to Florence & Pisa, but they don't mind the long car ride.