Three stops, one easy day.

This private tour strings together Pisa’s Piazza dei Miracoli and the Leaning Tower, then shifts gears to Lucca’s walled medieval core, where you can actually walk or bike along the defensive walls. I like that the day mixes big-picture sightseeing with small, practical moments like browsing shopfront streets and getting good viewpoints without chaos.

For food people, the Chianti winery visit is the anchor: wine tour, tasting, olive oil tasting, and lunch. The pace feels guided but not rigid, especially with the kind of port-meet-and-go support that driver Andrea brings, including useful local tips and smooth timing back to your ship.

One caution: Pisa tower tickets are not included, so you may need to plan or pay extra if you want that specific entry.

Key points you’ll remember

• Piazza dei Miracoli first: You’ll see the Leaning Tower area plus the Duomo and Baptistery as part of the guided stop
• Lucca’s walls are the star: There’s a circular roughly 3-mile wall route for walking or biking, plus viewpoints from above
• Top Lucca monuments: You can expect stops like Saint Martin’s Cathedral and Saint Michael’s Church, with the option to climb Torre Guinigi
• Chianti wine and olive oil tastings: Winery time includes a tasting experience built around both wine and olive oil
• Lunch is included at the winery: You’ll eat on-site (with a menu that may include multiple courses and a wine sampling)
• Back by mid/late afternoon: You’ll return to your meeting point no later than 5:30 pm

How the day flows from La Spezia to Pisa, Lucca, and Chianti

This is a private shore excursion built around three geographic zones: the dramatic icons of Pisa, the walkable-walled charm of Lucca, and the slower countryside rhythm of the Chianti hills. You leave La Spezia by car/van with a professional English-speaking driver, and your day is designed to keep transit smooth instead of fighting transfers on your own.

Timing matters here because it’s a full day (listed as 9 hours) with city time plus a winery visit. Your morning order can be Pisa first or Lucca first, depending on the flow for the day, but lunch and tasting at the winery are included either way.

You meet at the ULTIMATE TOURS welcome sign in La Spezia, and you’re expected to connect with the driver right after you disembark. The day ends back at the meeting point, with a clear goal of returning to your ship by 5:30 pm.

Pisa’s Piazza dei Miracoli and the Leaning Tower stop

Pisa is all about an iconic skyline moment, and the tour aims right for the heart of it: the Piazza dei Miracoli. You’ll see the area around the Leaning Tower, plus the Duomo and the Baptistery, with time to take photos and take in the architecture up close.

A practical detail: you’ll enjoy some free time to browse in Pisa, which is ideal if you want a breather between major landmarks. Just don’t assume the famous tower experience is automatic—tickets for the Leaning Tower aren’t included, so if you want to go inside, you’ll need to plan for that separately.

What I like about this setup is that the driver keeps the day moving while you focus on the “this is why we came” moments. Pisa can be crowded and confusing, especially near landmark zones; having a private guide keeps your time from turning into a wandering game.

Lucca walls, Torre Guinigi views, and Puccini’s town

Then the tour shifts to Lucca, and the vibe changes fast—in a good way. Lucca is famous for its intact defensive walls, and this is one of those places where you don’t just look at a monument. You can actually walk parts of the perimeter and get views from on high.

The tour includes time to admire key sights such as Saint Martin’s Cathedral and Saint Michael’s Church. You also have the chance to climb Torre Guinigi, a highlight because it gives you a high-angle view over the rooftops and the wall circuit.

For the walls, here’s the detail that makes Lucca feel real: the circular route is about 3 miles. If you’re up for it, walking a section of the wall can be more rewarding than trying to “cover everything” inside town. If you’d rather go faster, the walls are also set up for biking, so you can choose your speed.

Lucca is also linked to composer Giacomo Puccini, who was born there. That small cultural note helps the town feel more than just postcard scenery, and it gives you something to anchor to while you wander.

Optional extras can include places like the botanical gardens, depending on how the day is paced. That flexibility is useful on a shore day when weather and crowds can change how long you want to linger.

Chianti winery tour: wine, olive oil tasting, and lunch

This is the section of the day where you slow down on purpose, and it’s why this itinerary works. Your winery stop in Chianti includes a wine tour and tasting, plus lunch and an olive oil tasting component.

At the winery, you’re not just pouring wine and leaving. You get a guided tour of the grounds, which helps the tasting feel connected to place instead of like a quick shop stop. Then you sit down to lunch that pairs well with the tasting experience.

Lunch can look like a full, satisfying spread. In examples from the day, I’ve seen menus that include items such as bread with olive oil, bruschetta, prosciutto and melon, gnocchi with pesto, a filled pasta, veggie frittata, and grape focaccia, plus a tasting that may include eight wines.

The wine sampling is the kind of structured tasting that helps you learn in a practical way. Even if you don’t consider yourself a wine person, you can still pick up differences in style and what to look for next time you’re choosing a bottle.

My tip: pace yourself. With tasting and a multi-item lunch, you don’t want to sprint through the wine portion. If you like photography, linger after lunch for the views, because this is where the “countryside out of a movie scene” feeling tends to happen.

Driving, timing, and how a private day feels

This is private, so you’re not stuck in a group shuffle. The vehicle is listed as a deluxe Mercedes option: a Mercedes car for 1–3 people or a Mercedes Viano for 4–7 people. For smaller parties like a group of two, you’re typically in a quieter, more comfortable setup with room to breathe.

In real-world terms, comfort matters on a shore day. The vehicle is described as clean and comfortable, with charging points available, which is handy if you’ve been snapping photos all morning.

The day is built to avoid the most common shore-trip headache: being stuck too long in transit or running behind. With a return target of no later than 5:30 pm, you get a clear buffer so you don’t feel like you’re racing the clock.

You’ll also benefit from the driver being the person who knows how long stops tend to take and how to keep the flow smooth. The guide is available in English (and Italian as well), which helps if you want context on what you’re seeing rather than just walking through.

Price and logistics: what makes this feel worth it

The price is listed at $1,072.77 per group up to 2. On paper, that’s a lot. In practice, it can make sense because you’re paying for a private door-to-door day that bundles transport plus major guided stops plus winery time with lunch.

Here’s the value math that matters:

• You’re getting a private vehicle with a professional English-speaking driver
• You’re getting a full-day format that includes two major cities (Pisa and Lucca) plus a winery in Chianti
• You’re not paying separately for the wine tour, tastings, olive oil tasting, and lunch at the winery

The one item you should expect to pay extra for is Leaning Tower tickets. Since tower entry isn’t included, you may face an added cost (or an additional planning step) if that’s a must-do for you.

So the best way to think about it is this: you’re buying convenience and structure. If you’d otherwise piece together public transport, private taxi hops, timed entry, and a separate winery day, this private package can be a cleaner way to get the experience without constant decision-making.

Who this shore trip is best for (and who might want another plan)

This tour fits especially well if you want a classic Tuscany highlights day without spending your energy on logistics. It’s a strong choice for couples and small groups because the private format lets you move at a comfortable pace and spend time where you care most.

It also makes sense if you like a mix of city sights and food-and-wine time. Pisa and Lucca give you visual anchors—tower views and walled-town wandering—while the winery stop gives you the slower, taste-based part of the day that feels like a reward instead of another museum hour.

Who might reconsider:

• If you only want one city and want a deeper, longer museum-style visit, you may feel the day is too packed for your taste.
• If the Leaning Tower entry is your top priority, remember that tickets aren’t included, so you’ll need extra planning.

Otherwise, this is the kind of itinerary that works well for a shore day because it keeps the schedule tight enough to be reliable, but not so tight that you feel crushed.

Should you book this La Spezia shore excursion?

Yes—if you want a smooth, private day that hits Pisa + Lucca and still gives you a proper tasting lunch at a Chianti winery. The combo of guided landmark time and winery time is the real selling point, and returning by 5:30 pm makes it easier to relax about your ship.

Book it with confidence if:

• You’re traveling with a small group and want the convenience of a private vehicle
• You care about both big sights (Pisa) and walkable atmosphere (Lucca walls)
• You want winery time that includes wine tasting, olive oil tasting, and lunch

Consider alternatives if:

• You’re mainly focused on tower access and don’t want to handle tickets separately
• You prefer a slower pace with fewer locations

FAQ

FAQ

Where do I meet the driver in La Spezia?

Meet your driver at the ULTIMATE TOURS welcome sign in La Spezia at 8:30 am. After you disembark, take the shuttle (about 1 minute) and meet the driver at the terminal area.

How long is the shore excursion?

The tour is listed as 9 hours.

What stops are included in Pisa and Lucca?

You’ll visit Pisa for the Piazza dei Miracoli area (including the Duomo and Baptistery) and the Lucca walled town with major monuments such as Saint Martin’s Cathedral and Saint Michael’s Church, plus Torre Guinigi.

Are tickets for the Leaning Tower included?

No. Pisa tower tickets are not included.

What is included at the winery in Chianti?

The winery visit includes a wine tour, wine tasting, olive oil tasting, and lunch.

What time do you return to your meeting point?

You’ll be back at your ship no later than 5:30 pm.

Can the day start with Pisa or with Lucca?

Yes. You can visit Pisa or Lucca in the morning, depending on how the day is arranged.

Is the tour private and wheelchair accessible?

Yes. It’s a private group tour and is listed as wheelchair accessible.

What languages will the driver or guide use?

The live tour guide is available in English and Italian.

What if my plans change?

There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.