My wife an I will be on a cruise that stops at Livorno on 6 November. We love hiking and rain and cold is of no concern. Is it feasible to get to CT via train(s), hike the rails then return to the ship during an 8 hour port call? If not,we've been to Florence and Pisa, is there any other interesting sites accessible during this port call? Thank-you
Posted by
Calgary
2297 posts
It would be feasible in the sense that train connections are frequent and the trip would take only a bit over an hour each way. However, November can be quite rainy and the CT is one of the few areas where one cannot prepare for rainy weather by simply packing the right clothing. The trails often get closed, boats don't run, and then there is not much left to do. I would only consider such a day trip if it's possible to check on the conditions of the trails before leaving Livorno. Maybe someone can help you out as to how to do that.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
In general, if the ship tours does not offer it, you're pushing your luck to make it back and board in time. Given the time to get to the first CT town (Riomaggiore), you're looking at about 2hrs to 1) get to the train station and 2) take the train to Riomaggiore. The train journey is 90 minutes according to Trenitalia, the Italian train website. You might try Lucca.
Posted by
Catadupa Alamere, CA
515 posts
You could hire a driver and visit the marble quarries in Carrara about 50 miles from Livorno. You would have time for lunch in tiny Colonnata, among the quarries. Colonatta ages lardo in Carrara marble urns. People say that it's the best in Italy because of the unique porocity of the marble and the unique (for lardo purposes) microclimate of Colonnata. http://goeurope.about.com/od/carrara/ss/carraramarble. Eric Ripert, a big deal chef in NYC, did a tv episode from this restaurant in Colonnata and said it was the best lardo ever. Of course the menu offers other items http://www.ristorantevenanzio.com/