Livorno
is Leghorn to the British, I don't know why!
2002 Saga Rose
Went on a trip to Pisa (left at 8.45), took about
45 minutes. From where we parked we had about a half a mile walk to
Miracle Square. Excellent guide (according to Edna one of the best we'd
had). Then 45 minutes spare time, not enough to explore fully. Back
on the coach before midday (do they not want to supply lunch?) and back
to the ship. Went into Livorno, after lunch, on the shuttle bus. Not
too impressed! Got lost and had to ask someone "Scusi, Piazza Grande?".
Followed his directions and got back in time!
Livorno at sunset on board the Saga
Rose
2006
Arcadia Med Cruise
Went on one of our rare organised tours, to Lucca (the birthplace of
Puccini). Only a 35 minute drive from Livorno and a walking tour of
the City. Excellent guide (Giovanni) who pointed out (naturally) the
house where Puccini was born and the statue in front of it.
Puccini in Lucca (even
has an arrow pointing so you know where he is!)
Lovely City with many attractive churches, we
didn't go in any as I had my shorts on and, although it doesn't seem
to matter nowadays, I was brought up to believe that it is disrespectful
to enter places of Worship in shorts. After an hour's tour with Giovanni
we had about 75 minutes to ourselves, then back to the Ship for lunch.
See the photos
for the 2006 Arcadia Cruises.
After lunch we caught the shuttle bus into
Livorno but, to be honest, we wished we hadn't! Most of the shops were
shut and the place was litter ridden and generally shabby, put us off
having a good look around (this seemed to be the opinion of most people
we spoke to).
2016
Saga Sapphire. Edna had got a chest infection which kept her awake
most of the previous night so a visit to the Doctor was more important
than a visit to Livorno. I did a couple of miles around the deck while
she was at the Doctor's but, to be honest, it was freezing (not literally).
A few weeks later the cold weather really hit Italy and there was a
snow avalanche in Penne which engulfed an hotel. As I type this the
last of the 29 bodies have been recovered from the ruins.
2018
A musical Mediterranean: Overnight in Livorno. This was, after all,
what the cruise was all about for a lot of people. There was a Puccini
Festival in Lucca and a trip for an open air performance of La Boheme,
also a VIP Bocelli trip {dinner at a Restaurant owned by him and seeing
a rehearsal). Both VERY expensive and both getting back to the ship
at about 1.30 AM. 20 or 30 years ago perhaps! Everyone who we spoked
to who went loved it. I'm sure we would have but we're not sorry we
didn't go.
Did, however, decide to go on an afternoon trip (first day) to Pisa.
Didn't regret it! Had only been there once before and it was even more
stunning than I remembered. A coach ride to the outskirts and, then,
a road train tour around Pisa, dropped off near the sites (or sights)
where we had a couple of hours to explore. Then, back on the road train
for another little tour. Excellent.
In the evening we were entertained by a Concert Pianist, Rustem
Hayroudinoff. We do like classical music but did find that his concert
was a bit too "virtuoso". Seemed to choose pieces that showed
off his piano skills rather than catering for a middle of the road Saga
audience. Having said that, we enjoyed it (though some didn't and walked
out) and his chat about the composers and compositions was very interesting.
Did another concert later and was, again, fascinating with his knowledge.
A great pianist who, perhaps, had the wrong audience (after all, the
REAL music lovers (except the likes of us who wouldn't pay the high
prices and couldn't stand the late night) were off seeing La Bohème
or Andrea Bocelli!).
Day two and we went into Livorno on the shuttle bus. We hadn't enjoyed
Livorno City before but it was well worth another visit and we had a
pleasant wander around taking a few photos (of course).
Monument of the four Moors (1626). Commemorates
the victories of Ferdinand I of Tuscany over the Ottomans.
The Sea Monsters Fountain and an equestrian statue of King Victor Emmanuel
II (1820-1878)
Monument to Civilians killed in war and the Livorno Chamber of Commerce
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