[This is a repeat, but clarified version of an earlier thread.]
I will be in Florence.
is it worth going to Pisa, Luca and the Carrara Quarries? All of these or part?
Has anyone gone to the quarries? was it worth the time?
If I decide to go, would it be better on the train or with a driver?
Thank you!
Only you can decide what is "worth it" based on your preferences, but we really enjoyed Pisa. I expected it to be a total tourist trap, but the Baptistry, the Cathedral, and absolutely, the Tower, were really interesting and an excellent way to spend 1/2 day. I took a bus there so can't advise on modes of travel you are asking about.
I don't know about Carrara, but Pisa and Lucca (mind the spelling!) make a good trip, filling most of your day. As said above, Pisa is much more than just the tower, and Lucca is a good place for wandering around, having your lunch and/or late afternoon drink.
Use the train planner of Trenitalia to see the perfect - and extremely cheap - train connections between the three, using »Firenze S M Novella« for your station in Florence (Trenitalia doesn't understand the anglicised name). Tickets can be got from the machines in the station or at the window. It is essential not to forget to stamp (»validate«) them at one of the green/grey machines before boarding the train. The fine for not doing so will spoil your otherwise pleasant day.
There are some direct trains to Pisa S. Rossore station, which is a 10-min walk from the cathedral and tower. Otherwise use Pisa Centrale.
Added:
Florence - Pisa: 1 to 1,5 hrs
Pisa - Lucca: 30 mins
Lucca - Florence: 1,5 to 2 hrs
Again, we really need more information to be able to help you.
As someone mentioned is it "worth the time" is a subjective question that also depends on your time an priorities. For instance, we did want to visit the Carrara quarries, but there were other things we wanted to see and do that were higher up the list. Few folks have adequate, much less unlimited time when traveling. Therefore every trip is a series of compromises. If I had to choose between seeing the hole in the ground from which the marble used to sculpt "David" over seeing "David" itself, I think you know what I'd choose.
A quarry tour, riding around with Gabrielle in his range Rover, is a very interesting experience.
http://www.cavedimarmotours.com/it/
He leaves at 9:30AM, and Pisa is more convenient than Lucca, train wise; but both are doable. Coming down the station steps, you'll see his vehicle on the right. Avoid sitting in the rear.
I think a tour of the Carrara quarries would be so interesting and informative. We just drove around and watched the trucks coming and going and lifting and moving enormous slabs of marble. Afterwards, we enjoyed stopping in the shops where they sold pieces, small and large. Be careful though, some of the pieces sold in the shops are made from Carrara marble, and many of the colors are from elsewhere in the world.
All is interesting. Pisa and Lucca with a train. Carrara you need a guide so as to get proper information on the quarries
I've heard the quarries are interesting, not everyone is into mines but, I'd imagine the methods in cutting and how stones are graded have got to be fascinating. You'll need a driver/vehicle.
Pisa...lets face it, the VAST majority of people are there for one thing and it's pretty underwhelming. There's plenty of You Tube videos explaining the most overrated sights and I'm in complete agreement, Pisa usually ranks near the top. Pisa is a university town so, in general it's a younger population however the amount of tourists there to get a silly photo is pretty annoying and I couldn't wait to get out. If you absolutely must, get there in early before the mass of tourist show up.
Lucca on the other hand, was way more interesting and well worth the time spent there. The intact medieval walls, the narrow streets, the neighborhoods that evolved over time. I ended up staying nearly a week and very much enjoyed it. Lucca is also renown for having the best food in Tuscany, stick around for dinner and take an evening train back to Florence. If you get an opportunity, arrange a wine tasting session at Enoteca Vanni, their deep wine cellars in the middle of town have some fantastic history. If you're unable to get to a vineyard but, want to delve into some wine, Vanni and it's owner are top-notch.
Carrarra - yes, if your interests include sculpture or history or geology or vision. Nowhere else like it in the world, & imagining Michelangelo or Henry Moore there "seeing" a Pieta, a you name it, in a monumental vertical slab - no one like them, either. We went with a guide.
The quarries are up in the mountains, not a hole in the ground. Panoramic views of the Ligurian Sea beyond.
Lucca over Pisa.
I tried to arrange a tour with Cave di Marmo folks in December 2018, but the day I would have been there was Christmas Eve and they didn't have any other takers. However, they were very responsive to my emails, and were willing to pick me up at the Carrara town train station (I was day tripping from Lucca). There are great reviews of their tours and I hope to see the marble mines with them eventually. I see that there is (on some days) a train that leaves Florence SMN train station at 7:00 and (with one change) arrives Carrara at 9:05. If you are willing to leave that early in the morning, you could combine that marble tour with a visit to either Pisa or Lucca. It's 45" by train from Carrara to Pisa, and about one hour (with a change) from Carrara to Lucca. After a marble tour, you could be in either Pisa or Lucca by 1:00 pm, for lunch and sightseeing. I definitely think it would be easy to combine TWO of these three places for a day trip by train, but wouldn't attempt all three, as you would very much shortchange Lucca if you did so.
