The first part of the circular drive back to Livorno takes us through the rolling hills of Tuscany, back down to sea level near the coast. I had mapped out a bunch of restaurants, but as it turns out, everything is closed on Wednesday. Terribly bizarre! I had originally figured we’d make the Buriano route on Thursday, and looked at opening times then – which were all fine. Not so on Wednesdays apparently.
We stop in a bunch of different little towns, following our GPS to the city centre, and nothing is open – literally nothing. Sigh. So we keep driving, heading along the coast, because Eva said it was a beautiful drive – and it was. Beach towns interspersed with rugged cliffs lining the coasts. sweeping vistas – and sweeping bridges – carry us northward toward Livorno. We get messed up at the entrance to the autostrada and follow the signs for Livorno (because logic tells us that is where we should be going), but the GPS wanted us to go on the other exit toward Roma (who knows?) so now we are recalculating. Turns out to be a blessing in disguise, as we stumble upon a little gas station and convenience mart on the side of the road where we fill the car up – and ourselves with a couple of good, inexpensive paninis. So now we are all filled up, as we make our way back to Livorno.
We get to the pier, and there are no unreserved parking spots available. Eva told us to ask the security guy where to park, but he wasn’t around so I asked one of the city tour information ladies, and she went to talk to the security guy. So, I get 2nd hand translated directions on where to park, which really weren’t helpful at all. We go up out of the pier area and find a great spot, but then realize it is reserved for coast guard only. Ok….up the street a bit there appears to be free parking, so we put the car into what we think will be a safe spot (after checking all the cars around us to make sure no one had a permit or parking sticker on their car). Then we head off into Livorno to explore.
There really isn’t too much going on in Livorno. Once again, most every place is closed today (weird) and while some of the architecture is interesting, it’s just a big port city, with not a lot to offer us. There are some canals that run around and through the city, which made for good pictures, but not much else really.
Plus we’re tired, and we’ve been walking around for a while, so nothing really makes an impact on us. We do manage to make it to the New Fort, which might have been an interesting place if it weren’t for the kids and what appeared to be homeless hanging out all over the place. At least the walls were sort of interesting.
After leaving the fort, we traverse the city on the pedestrian walk, wander though the end of a farmers market, get turned around by the Duomo, then finally make our way out of the town and back onto the pier and the ship to hang out a bit before tonight’s Azamazing evening. While we are upstairs killing time, we look out and actually spot a parking space right on our pier, so we run down to the cabin, get the keys and coats and rush outside to secure it. I stand in the spot to save it while Ed goes and gets the car. Fortunately we don’t have an Alec Baldwin incident (no jaw punches over stolen parking) and we breathe a big sigh of relief that the car is close now, and we can watch it from the ship. All the nearby cars have notes on their dash explaining where they are – we ran out without anything so I ask the tourist info lady for paper and pen – she tears out a day from her calendar and I write out what I hope is correct Italian for “this is a rental car with the Pursuit, from 10/31 to 11/1.” We’ll see how this works!
Later on, after our buffet dinner, we all start to organize for our Azamazing evening. We are loaded into buses according to decks. Since we are on deck 8 (the suites) we get to go first (sort of). There is a bus for handicapped and people who can’t walk well – they are first. Then there must be another bus with the important people, because there are some folks in our lounge complaining that they aren’t on the bus and that another bus has already left. Honestly. Even the bartender has some funny words for them.
Once on our way it’s only a 5 minute drive and walk to the Goldini Theatre where we will see a performance by Incanto, 4 women sopranos who are fabulous (even including the fact that they sang ABBA songs). And the theater is stunning as well. Totally old fashioned with balcony rows, but so modern that the ceiling can be retracted and opened during the day to let in sunlight.
It was really a wonderful event, and one of the great features of an Azamara cruise. They do this in every overnight port which is really special.
Once complete, we retrace our steps back to the bus and the ship where we have a night cap or two, then hit the sack hoping for a good weather day tomorrow.
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