Cruise Talk: Livorno, Italy, information required

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»	Cruise Talk » Ports of Call and Destinations » Livorno, Italy, information required

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Topic: Livorno, Italy, information required

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 06-05-2003 05:03 AM

What can cruisetalkers tell me about the port of call: Livorno, Italy, from first hand experience?

Which is best an excursion to Florence or Pisa?

Is there a town within walking distance of the port?

Are there opportunities to do your own thing?

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

chateausmith
First Class Passenger
Member # 3423

posted 06-05-2003 07:08 AM

We did Livorno from Marco polo a couple of years ago. My wife did Florence and I did a trip to Chianti,both great trips and whilst not cheap both excellent value-----not much to see or do nearby ship.Who you sailing with?-Im sure they all offer much the same tours.

Posts: 68 | From: Alpharetta georgia | Registered: Oct 2002 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 06-05-2003 07:18 AM

It's a long walk to anywhere... depending on where you sock, it may be 3km or 8km to the centre. Where we were, there was nowhere you could have got to without taking a taxi.

Plenty of taxis on the quay and local car hire firms. You can take a taxi to the station, about 10 mins, and get a train to any of Pisa, Lucca or Florence. $18 return 1st class to Florence. But I can't tell you how far you may have to walk the other end, we didn't go, and I was told the trains didn't really keep to the 'timetable'.

Pisa is not worth [IMO, others will disagree] spending much time in. I wouldn't plan to spend the whole day there, and if going on an excursion make sure it's one which goes somewhere else too. If you want to go up the tower, there's only so many people allowed each hour and you have to purchase a ticket from the office. How long one may have to wait I don't know, but I suspect some time and it wasn't worth the wait for us. 3/4hr and we'd done walking around the square, cathedral etc.

Lucca on the otherhand is well worth a half-day or longer visit. Many many churches, narrow streets to wander, museums, markets, etc to look at. Buses and private vehicles are not allowed inside the walls. Taxis on the otherhand are, and can drop and wait for you right in the centre. Saves time with the walking, especially if hot. I really liked this city.

Save Florence for a land holiday, on your own you may have to queue to get in a lot of places.

Ah.. I see you didn't ask about Lucca. Well go to Florence then Stop in Pisa for an hour on the way back.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 06-05-2003 03:38 PM

The excursion on offer are a silly price. A ten hour trip with Piza and Florence costs £98 GBP per person!

Th Florence transfere (on your own as they call it) is £49!

Lucca is not an optional excursion on offer? Where is it?

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Steve Read (sread)
First Class Passenger
Member # 788

posted 06-05-2003 04:27 PM

I like the English translation of Livorno ... Leghorn!

I can picture Foghorn Leghorn strutting down the gangway...

Posts: 926 | From: Locksbottom, Kent, England | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 06-05-2003 05:05 PM

Invaluable information sread!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

cruiseny
First Class Passenger
Member # 2928

posted 06-05-2003 10:14 PM

The problem with Florence is that without being on a shore excursion - and an EXPENSIVE one usually - you'll never get into any of the top-tier museums etc. You could spend the whole day waiting to get tickets (in the summer at least).

We took a VERY expensive tour that actually told you what museums you went to (a lot of the cheaper ones just say "a local museum" - great ) and we did get into the Ufizzi Gallery, etc. Unfortunately we were in a mini-bus with THE most annoying people imaginable and a guide who was bordering on mute, but I imagine if it were not for that it would have been worth the exorbitant price .

Posts: 4730 | From: New York, USA | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 06-09-2003 04:24 AM

Thanks for the advice guys, but is there anyone here that has done their own tour?

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

PC
First Class Passenger
Member # 1191

posted 06-09-2003 09:27 PM

I've taken the train from Rome to Florence and return in same day on two separate occasions over 5 years ago. Maybe things have changed, but I doubt it. My comments: no need to buy first class on train, regular class is plenty good, schedule of trains to most places were once per hour. Trains to and fro ran on time. When at Florence train station, I think there's a tourist office there, and you can get a map and ask any questions. Most anywhere you want to go is within walking distance of train station, but in all different directions, so you need to plan your routing, and walk at a brisk pace. The Duomo and main shopping drag is about a 20 minute walk from the station and many stores close for lunch until 2:30 pm or so every weekday, that's all I remember.

Posts: 102 | From: Hong Kong, SAR | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 06-11-2003 04:19 AM

Anyone ever taken a train from the port to florence?

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

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