| Livorno Italy is the port that cruise ships call at when | | | | 5) Visit Mediceo Port and Fortezza Vecchia |
| they visit Tuscany. Because it's the gateway for | | | | The Old Fort which was built in 1534 dominates |
| Florence and Pisa, most cruisers hop on a bus and | | | | Livorno's Old Port. The views from the Matilde Tower |
| head straight out of town, missing what Livorno has to | | | | are worth the climb. And there's a wine bar where you |
| offer. | | | | can get refreshments after your visit. |
| Not far from Genoa, Livorno is the main coastal town | | | | 6) See the symbol of the city |
| of the Etruscan Coast. With a lovely ocean-front | | | | The Pisans first built a watchtower across from the |
| promenade, navigable canals that date from the 17th | | | | port in the 12th century. The Meloria was destroyed by |
| century, and some of Tuscany's best seafood, Livorno | | | | the Genoese in 1286 and rebuilt by the Medici in 1598. |
| is worth exploring. | | | | The current tower dates from 1709 and is Livorno's |
| It's an easy three-hour train trip from Rome. And | | | | symbol. Look for images of the tower rising from the |
| there's also service from Civitavecchia, Rome's cruise | | | | sea on posters in the local shops. |
| port. | | | | 7) Tour Museo Fattori |
| Medici architect Bernardo Buonatlenti laid out most of | | | | If you appreciate the Liberty style - the Italian version |
| the city in 1567. Piazza della Repubblica is the center | | | | of Art Nouveau - or want to see 19th- and |
| of the town, and it's bounded by the Fosso Reale | | | | 20th-century paintings from Tuscany, you'll enjoy a visit |
| canal. There's also a large park called Fortezza Nuova. | | | | to this museum located in the Villa Mimbelli. |
| Here's what every traveler to Livorno Italy should see | | | | 8) Find a bargain at Mercatino Americano |
| and do: | | | | This bustling market was originally established to |
| 1) Take a stroll along Terazza Mascagni | | | | provide goods for the American military base in |
| Originally built in the 1920s, this lovely checkerboard | | | | Livorno. It was in Piazza XX Settembre for almost 60 |
| promenade was restored in the 1990s. It offers fresh, | | | | years before it was moved to the port. Today, it's the |
| ocean breezes, and great views of the islands in the | | | | best flea market in Livorno, and a good place to shop |
| Tuscan archipelago. | | | | for cheap souvenirs. |
| 2) Cruise Livorno's canals | | | | Livorno has excellent seafood and pesto. Another |
| There's no better view of Livorno than the one you'll | | | | specialty you should try is Cacciucco -- fish and rice |
| get from the canals, or fossi as the locals call them. | | | | served on a thick slab of bread. |
| They were originally built as moats to protect the city, | | | | There are several good Livorno hotels if you want to |
| and they connect the old and new fortresses with the | | | | stay over. |
| Piazza della Repubblica. The Piazza spans the Royal | | | | The best hotel in Livorno is the NH Grand Palazzo. |
| Canal or Fosso Reale, and acts as a bridge across | | | | Located in a 19th-century palace, it's just off the |
| the waterway. | | | | elegant Terrazza Mascagni promenade. If you're |
| 3) Explore Venezia Nuova | | | | looking for amenities like beautiful views of the sea, a |
| The most attractive part of Livorno for tourists, the | | | | full-service spa, and indoor and outdoor swimming |
| New Venice quarter has winding lanes, narrow bridges, | | | | pools, this is your best bet. |
| and 17th-century merchants houses. On Via Borra you | | | | In the heart of Livorno near Goldoni's Theater, Al |
| can see the old storehouses that supplied the port up | | | | Teatro has just 8 lovely rooms. It's walking distance to |
| close. There's a cultural festival here in early August | | | | all of Livorno's attractions and there are restaurants |
| with outdoor performances and street theater. And it | | | | nearby. Start your day with breakfast in the leafy |
| has the liveliest restaurant- and bar-scene in town. | | | | garden. |
| 4) Shop at Mercato delle Vettovaglie | | | | One of the more attractive hotels in Livorno, Hotel Rex |
| Built in the late 19th century in the Art Nouveau style, | | | | enjoys a nice ocean-front location. In addition to a |
| this large, covered market has more than 200 stalls. | | | | private beach and marina, it has a couple of |
| You can shop here for fish, meat, vegetables, bread, | | | | restaurants with beautiful ocean views. It's near |
| and cheeses every morning except Sundays. | | | | Castello del Boccale. |