Livorno Port ShorExcursion: Florence and Pisa Best Highlights

Perhaps it was the tour we picked...

<p>Perhaps it was the tour we picked, but it was very disappointing. The reviews of this tour mentioned such helpful and informative guides/drivers and we've had nothing but great Viator tours until this one. Our driver did not speak English well at all and offered very little in the way of telling us about anything we were viewing. Pisa was very impressive but we had no info on any of the buildings which we should or shouldn't see. We got there about 9:30 and the basilica didn't open until 10:00 so we had 30 minutes to wait. And it didn't probably help that it was extremely hot.</p> <p>We then drove to Florence where we had hoped to see David. Our guide took us to a really good viewing point of the city and took us to his recommended lunch pizzeria - not impressive a cover charge for lunch?!. Then when we went to the museum to see David there was an incredible line 3 hours in the blazing sun to get in. No way. Our suggestion would be to alert tourists about the crowded conditions at the museum and for Viator to set up some sort of no-line arrangement/tour with the museum. We would certainly have been willing to pay a bit more for that inclusion.</p>

Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We’re very sorry to hear that your experience didn’t meet your expectations, especially since our team worked hard to ensure your day in Pisa and Florence was smooth, timely, and professionally managed. We’d like to kindly clarify a few important aspects of the tour: You booked an experience with an English-speaking driver, not a Driver+licensed tour guide. As specified in the tour description, the driver provides basic information, while full narration and guided visits require the “Driver + Licensed Guide” option — which was available at the time of booking. Arriving in Pisa 30 minutes before the basilica opened was not a loss of time. In fact, Piazza dei Miracoli is one of the most photographed sites in the world, and that early access offered you a fantastic opportunity to explore and take memorable photos in peace, before the crowds. Regarding the long line at the Accademia Gallery in Florence: unfortunately, we have no control over official museum queues, especially during high season and in extreme weather conditions. That’s precisely why we recommend, on both Viator and our official platforms, reserving skip-the-line tickets in advance or choosing the tour package that includes a licensed guide with tickets prearranged. As for the pizzeria, was only a friendly suggestion from your driver, not a required stop. Florence is one of the most expensive cities in Italy, and prices can vary significantly depending on the dishes chosen. Still, as per Italian law, every restaurant is required to clearly display a menu with prices outside, ensuring all guests can review costs before deciding where to eat. We truly regret receiving a 1-star review for a tour that was fully delivered as described — comfortably, safely, and professionally. The disappointment seems to stem mostly from expectations that would have been met with a different tour option, which was available but not selected at the time of booking. We hope you’ll kindly reconsider your rating, and we remain at your full disposal should you wish to visit Italy again in the future — with or without a guide. Warm regards, Giovanni

via Viator

Giorgio was a great driver and...

<p>Giorgio was a great driver and guide. He did a great job in answering all of our questions and providing information. Great personality and great driver/guide.</p>

via Viator