Full Day Florence and Pisa Tour from La Spezia Cruise Port

Starting was full of energy and the energy remained constant. Guide was amazing and he managed the people so amazingly.

My children had a wonderful experience at the European Essentials tour. My special thanks to the tour director and the group leader who made sure that all kids felt safe and enjoyed every single day of the tour.

Found the site TA, researched the company and was impressed with its rating. Found an excursion that appealed to me with plenty of info regarding activities and amount of exertion required. From there it was easy to schedule the excursion and make payment (plenty of options) TA.

I wanted a convenient way to visit Florence and Pisa while on a cruise, and this excursion delivered exactly that. The logistics were straightforward, which allowed me to focus entirely on enjoying the destinations. Florence felt like an open-air museum, with remarkable architecture and beautiful public spaces. I spent much of my free time simply walking and observing the city's atmosphere. Pisa was smaller but equally memorable. The Leaning Tower was impressive in person, and the surrounding area was pleasant to explore. It was a very worthwhile day trip.

Not hard to do at all! Both of our cabins and people could be combined so we would all be on the same cruise!

The booking process was simple, and the comfirmation email recieved within minutes. The gide contated us directly prior to the day to introduce himself and inquire about any special requests we might have. We explained that we preferred a slower pace and less walking and he changed the plan without difficulty.

We booked the DELUXE Florence and Pisa Tour with European Essentials through Viator for what was supposed to be a highlight of our anniversary trip. At over $200 per person ($404 total), we expected a premium, well-organized experience. What we got was a chaotic, exhausting, and deeply disappointing mess that felt more like a budget bait-and-switch than anything “deluxe.” From the moment we boarded, the problems were obvious. We were crammed into a replacement bus that was far too small for the group — the tour guide himself had to sit on the floor. Then we were immediately informed of “new rules” in Florence: no tour buses allowed in the city. The bus parked far away, forcing us to walk an **additional 2 miles** each way. This wasn’t mentioned in advance. The resulting delay exceeded an hour, turning the entire day into a stressful rush. Because of the delays and disorganization, multiple stops on the itinerary were abbreviated or completely cut. We never actually visited Ponte Vecchio, a supposed 20-minute highlight. Instead, we were told to “look across the water” from a distance while speeding past. In Pisa, we were promised 1 hour 15 minutes (45 minutes at Piazza dei Miracoli + 30 at the Leaning Tower). We got 25 minutes total at the tower and never saw the Piazza at all. The disorganization was painful. People arrived late at meeting points because some walked the 2 miles, some took taxis, forcing the whole group to rush through Florence. This was not the relaxed, guided cultural experience we paid for. Communication with European Essentials before and after the tour was curt, rude, and dismissive. When I reached out with legitimate complaints, they twisted my words, claimed we were never promised certain things (which I never even said), and told me to keep concerns “individual.” Their final response after the tour admitted the issues — a last-minute bus breakdown and increasingly strict Florence coach restrictions — but took no responsibility and offered zero compensation. They even had the audacity to solicit a review afterward. I escalated to Viator, who completely botched the investigation. They responded with false information (claiming we were directed to take a port shuttle — something no one ever mentioned, then claimed a second investigation found “nothing wrong.” Their refusal to stand behind the product they sell is shameful. To add insult to injury, I later discovered this same tour now costs just $92 per person, ($184 total) due to the Florence access changes. We were never informed of this massive price drop or given the option to cancel. I requested only a partial refund (at minimum the $220 difference), yet European Essentials denied it despite their own written admission of the problems. This company ruined what should have been a special day. Their “deluxe” label is false advertising. Poor planning, substandard execution, rude customer service, and zero accountability. Viator’s handling was equally unacceptable. Save your money and your vacation — avoid European Essentials and think twice about Viator if this is the level of support they provide.I will never use either again and will actively warn others. Worst anniversary “treat” imaginable.

Although we were excited to visit both cities, Florence ended up being the highlight of our day. The atmosphere was incredible, with beautiful buildings, lively squares, and countless photo opportunities. We appreciated the guide's local knowledge and the amount of free time included. It allowed us to explore at our own pace rather than simply following a group from one location to another. Pisa was a nice addition and provided a completely different experience. Seeing the Leaning Tower was something we had always wanted to do, and it made for a memorable conclusion to the day.

Make sure that you have enough time for this tour. You will miss out if you are rushed. Also this is a moderate walking tour not for those with any walking restrictions. Was very informative, learned a lot in such a short period.

Pisa was cooler than I expected, standing right under the tower is wild! But Florence completely stole my heart. We crossed the famous old bridge (Ponte Vecchio) and the views over the river were beautiful. Our guide pointed out a tiny local shop where we got the best pistachio gelato ever. It’s a packed day, but every minute was fun.