Livorno, Italy – 07:00 to 19:00

Today was a virtual repeat of yesterday, we just visited a couple of different cities in Italy. An early start with a lengthy bus ride into Florence, followed by another bus ride into Pisa, before returning to our floating home in Livorno. The heat today in Florence and Pisa was even worse than Rome yesterday, probably topping out close to 40C. Our relaxing dip in the pool upon returning was extremely welcome and refreshing. As usual, I will do a separate post on the tours once I get caught up with the photographs.

Temperature: High 35C/95F, Low 23C/73F

Wind/Weather: Light Airs, Fine and Clear

Sunrise/Sunset: 05:42/21:03

Clox: Z+2 (no change)

Navigation

Sea Princess steered NW’ly courses until abeam Pianosa Island about 02:00, when course was altered to N’ly headings towards the Livorno Pilot Station. The pilot boarded about 05:45 and Sea Princess was securely moored shortly before 07:00.

About 19:00, the Captain let the lines go and thrust Sea Princess off the berth, following a Washington Marine Group (Vancouver Company) container ship out of the port. Once disembarking the pilot, Sea Princess steered W’ly courses towards Cannes, our next port of call at a sedate 14 kts.

Livorno, Italy

Livorno is a port city on the Ligurian Sea, located in the Tuscany Region of Western Italy. Similar to Venice, the port city has an extensive canal network, linking the old warehouses throughout the town to the port. Pisa is located about 20 miles North of the port and Florence about 55 miles inland.

Activities

The alarm roused us again at 06:00 and we headed up to the Horizon Court for a quick breaky. Our friends Bruce and Viv were on the same tour, meeting them in the Wheelhouse Bar shortly after 07:00, so we could be on the same bus. After a short wait in the comfortable Princess Theatre we were off to the gangway and our bus for the day. Today’s tour included a little over an hour drive to Florence, where we walked for about 4 hours visiting the numerous attractions in the centre of town. Lunch was then at Sabatini’s, the very restaurant that Princess emulate for one of their premium restaurants on the bigger ships. Today’s lunch was just OK, nothing close to what we had yesterday.

After the meal we returned to the bus for the hour long journey to Pisa. Buses are not permitted at the site, so we stopped at the bus park and walked the mile to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It was definitely worth the effort and my only regret was being unable to climb the steps to access the top.

The obligatory photo of Judi holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa

On returning to the ship about 17:30, we got changed and headed straight up to the pool for a soak. Unfortunately, none of the pool was in the shade tonight, but regardless it was very refreshing after the punishing heat of Florence and Pisa. The restaurant was again open seating, so we headed back up to the Horizon Court for a quick dinner, before retiring to the cabin so Judi could rest her back and for me to work on pictures.

As another day closes, we bid you farewell, till tomorrow and hope for fair skies and following seas.