Overview

Our unique shore excursion from the port of Livorno covers not only a quick stop at the Leaning Tower of Pisa but also an artisan pasta-making facility plus fairy-tale places in the area around Terricciola, a prestigious (but little-known) wine region. The historic and romantic destinations on our itinerary include legendary Castello dei Vicari fortress in Lari and the Medieval monastery nearby. Set in the magical countryside of Tuscany, the monastery is now part of Badia a Morrona winery, where you will enjoy a genuine Tuscan lunch with the estate's wines. This is an immersive experience in beautiful Tuscany that will engage all your senses.

Description

Stop At: Piazza dei Miracoli, Piazza del Duomo, Pisa 56126

After about a forty-minute drive to Pisa, your driver will drop you off right at the Campo dei Miracoli, saving you twenty minutes of walking from where tour buses must park. You will have 30-45 minutes to visit the Campo dei Miracoli (there is no charge to enter the campus and view the monuments from the exterior). Besides the Leaning Tower, the Field of Miracles contains the cathedral, baptistery, and monumental cemetery. If you intend to enter any of the monuments or climb the Leaning Tower, we kindly request that you coordinate the timing with us to not create problems with the day's itinerary.

Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Castello dei Vicari, Via del Castello 1, Lari 56035

Dating back to the 11th Century, Castello dei Vicari is a Tuscan fortress that played a consequential part in the history of the territory. The hilltop bastion belonged to the Republic of Pisa during Medieval and early Renaissance times, when Pisa and Florence were city-states constantly at war with each other. After being vanquished by the Republic of Florence in 1406, the citadel became the home of governors and aristocratic families, and was transformed into a palatial residence used for entertaining powerful and noble figures of the day.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Martelli - Famiglia di Pastai, Via dei Pastifici, 3, 56035 Lari PI, Italy

Pastificio Martelli has been a legendary and highly-respected manufacturer of artisan pasta in Tuscany for over 90 years. These pasta makers pride themselves on traditional methods that include slow kneading of the dough, careful casting in bronze molds, and a lengthy drying process at low temperatures. The grain used is 100% Italian durum wheat. You can easily recognize their signature yellow packaging, vibrant as a field of sunflowers.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Badia di Morrona, Via del Chianti 6, Terricciola 56030

Set in the iconic rolling Tuscan countryside near Volterra, the abbey (badia) of Morrona that is the central architectural feature and namesake of the the winery now encompassing it dates back to 1089. Managed by Benedictine monks for several centuries, Badia di Morrona became one of the most important convents in Tuscany. In the 1930s, the property was acquired by the Gaslini family, and in the 1980s, their vision of transforming it into a centre of agricultural excellence began to take shape. They replanted vineyard and olive groves, restored abandoned structures, and began the process of modernization by investing in solar power and sustainable cultivation practices. In the early 2000s, a new, state-of-the-art facility was opened in Terricciola. The diverse subsoils and unique microclimate result in distinctive wines. Our time at the winery will include a tour of the abbey and lunch with a tasting of 3 wines .

Duration: 3 hours