Livorno, Italy Cruise Port Guide

Visitors come to see the great art centers of Florence, Lucca, and Pisa.

Lucca , the provincial capital, is one of the most handsome Romanesque cities in Europe. It is especially known for its medieval ramparts, allowing one to walk around the whole circuit.

If you have never been to Florence , you must go. Prioritize your visit (or choose your tour) to do those things you most wish to do: shop, see Michelangelo's statue of David at the Accademia, see the Birth of Venus and Caravaggio's Bacchus in the Uffizi Gallery, or just walk, window shop, and have a gelato. Keep in mind that there are frequently long lines to enter museums and monuments (particularly the Accademia), but there are also occasions when there are no lines and few visitors. Some museums are closed during lunch (and unannounced strikes).

Leather articles, shoes, silk scarves and ties, along with chic fashions for men and women, can be found in numerous elegant stores. In Florence, shopping streets worth exploring include the Via Tornabuoni, Via de' Calzaiuoli and Via Strozzi. The Ponte Vecchio is noted for its silversmiths and jewelry shops. In Livorno, a number of good shops can be found along the Via Grande, the city's main street.

Cuisine . Tuscan cooking is hearty and delicious. Enjoy a Florentine steak or tender veal, following a mouth-watering plate of pasta. A glass of Chianti Classico will go nicely with your meal. In Livorno, dine in the main hotels or local trattorias. In Florence, side streets leading off the main squares offer endless dining opportunities.

Internet Connection. There is an internet cafe in downtown Livorno between Via Galilei and Via Garibaldi.

Golf . The Cosmopolitan Country Club is one of the most competitive courses in Tuscany. Voted best new golf course in Italy in 1993, it is a "must play" for the golfing enthusiast.