COSTA TOSCANA, EasY to FIND OUT! COSTA TOSCANA CRUISE 1 INCOMING PROJECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM 2 SUMMARY 5 LIVORNO: THE PORT FOR TUSCANY 7 Costa TOSCANA CRUISE 13 LIVORNO AND THE GRAND DUCHY OF TUSCANY 27 Bolgheri AND THE WINE ROAD 35 Elba Island AND THE PEARLS OF THE TYRRHENIAN SEA 47 Coast OF THE Etruscans, from THE hilltops to THE SEA 58 FOLKLORE, CUISINE AND CRAFTS 3 4 LIVORNO: THE PORT FOR TUSCANY The port of Livorno is the gateway to the most desirable destinations in Tuscany, a region that offers an endless range of excursions; from artistic cities to medieval villages, with tours of its unparalleled countryside, culture, flavors and good taste. Porto Livorno 2000 operates in the cruise ship and passenger sector in the port of Livorno. It offers a wide range of services where safety and efficiency are the guiding principles; it works in conjunction with local bodies to make the most of local tourist resources. Porto Livorno 2000 manages the Cruise Terminal, the Maritime Passenger Station, information services, car parks and transportation within the Port of Livorno. 5 6 Costa TOSCANA CRUISE The Tuscan Coast has always been an important crossroad for populations and cultures, so it is no surprise that it is a unique treasure trove that has long been famous. The beauty of the countryside and pristine beaches are unparalleled; the picture-postcard views of vineyards and cypresses, archaeological sites, medieval villages, monuments and museums, the gastronomic and wine producing traditions distinguish the entire area, from the hills to the sea, from the coast to the islands. The light and colors have been an inspiration to local artists like Amedeo Modigliani and musicians such as Pietro Mascagni who are emblematic of the creativity and knowledge of this ancient land that still generates such intense emotions. This is an area where creativity, beauty and art have resided over the course of the centuries. It has attracted travelers through the ages, due in part to the warmth and hospitality of its inhabitants, qualities that continue today with a vast range of accommodation services, excellent tourist services, efficient infrastructures, road and rail networks and well connected ports and airports making it is easy to reach the beautiful islands and the artistic cities such as Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Siena. 7 Costa Toscana Cruise was set up to provide improved tourist services and develop the tourist sector, particularly passenger cruise traffic. Its partners include Porto Livorno 2000 Cruise Terminal, Regione Toscana, Toscana Promozione, Piombino and Elba Port Authorities, Ljvorno Port Authorities, the Consorzio Strada del vino e dell’olio Costa degli Etruschi, the local governments of Livorno Province and Municipality and the Livorno Chamber of Commerce. It also aims to raise the profile of the port structures and services offered by Costa Toscana Cruise by promoting special itineraries to uncover the history, nature and culture of the area. 8 Forte dei Marmi Lucca Firenze Pisa Chianti Livorno Montescudaio Massa Marittima Maremma Collesalvetti Livorno Gorgona Castiglioncello Rosignano Marittimo Rosignano Solvay Cecina Bibbona Bolgheri Marina di Castagneto Carducci Castagneto Carducci Donoratico Sassetta Capraia San Vincenzo Suvereto Campiglia Marittima Populonia Piombino Portoferraio Isola d’Elba Pianosa 9 10 EXCURSIONS LIVORNO Bolgheri AND THE GRAND DUCHY OF TUSCANY AND THE WINE ROAD Elba Island Coast OF THE Etruscans AND THE PEARLS OF THE TYRRHENIAN SEA from THE hilltops to THE SEA 11 Livorno, Fortezza Vecchia. 12 LIVORNO AND THE GRAND DUCHY OF TUSCANY Livorno, is a Renaissance port town that was founded under the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and it boasts a long maritime tradition. It has always been at the centre of Mediterranean sea routes and is the port for all of Tuscany. The regions most famous artistic cities and beaches are just a few kilometers from its cruise terminal. It is a vibrant city with a rich multicultural and multiethnic population. The inhabitants have a reputation of being welcoming and friendly, its old maritime districts are enthusiastically explored by tourists who enjoy walking along the canals that flow between the 17th century Livorno, Venezia Nuova district. buildings in the Venezia Nuova district. 13 Livorno, Quattro Mori monument. 14 This district is located between two imposing Medicean Fortresses and reaches the Mediceo port where the famous Quattro Mori statue was erected to celebrate the victory of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and Ferdinando I over pirates and Barbars. Bernardo Buontalenti designed the city at the end of the 16th century. The centre is star-shaped polyhedron and is enriched with a number of churches, monuments and villas. The latter were generally built in the 17th and 18th 15 Livorno, Venezia Nuova district. 16 centuries as show-piece homes of wealthy entrepreneurs who traded all over the world. They are decorated with neoclassical features and 19th century urban scenes; the Teatro Goldoni, Central Market, Palazzo Hugens, Palazzo delle colonne di marmo, Palazzo de Lardarel, churches of San Francesco and Santa Caterina, the Porta San Marco, Duomo and Town Hall are just a few of the city’s architectural jewels. Livorno, Fortezza Nuova. 17 1) 1) Beato Angelico, Christ crowned with thorns, 1430-1450 c.a. Livorno, Duomo. 2) Giorgio Vasari, Incoronation of the Virgin, 1571 c.a. Livorno, church of Saint Catherine. 3) Livorno, the frescoed cupola of Saint Catherine. 2) 18 3) 19 Livorno, Boccale coastline. 20 Livorno, Terrazza Mascagni. The seafront promenade is of unparalleled beauty, running from the centre of the city to the Romito coastline, along the way visitors and inhabitants can admire the Liberty villas, hippodrome park and bathing establishments. The Terrazza Mascagni, which houses the Aquarium, is the city’s salon where the inhabitants meet to talk and stroll while admiring the wonderful views of the Tuscan islands and nearby Corsica. The suburban villages of Ardenza and Antignano are the gateway to the sanctuary of Montenero, from which the Madonna protects seafarers on the Mediterranean. Livorno, Cala del Leone bay. 21 Giovanni Fattori, Mandrie maremmane, 1893. Livorno is the birthplace of artistes of international renown, such as Pietro Mascagni and Amedeo Modigliani, and expresses this heritage in its museums and cultural events. For three weeks in August the Venezia district bursts into life with the “Effetto Venezia” festival. The streets are filled with music, wharf warehouses become restaurants and the villas host a range of events while the sea plays host to the Palio Marinaro regatta where teams from the city’s different districts compete in races that are reminiscent of 17th and 18th century maritime traditions. Amedeo Modigliani, self portrait, 1919. 22 Livorno, Palio dell’Antenna regatta. 23 Livorno, Effetto Venezia Festival. 24 Visitors to Livorno never fail to enjoy its cuisine, a rare combination of styles derived from the many peoples who have lived here. The Jewish community has left a strong mark on the town’s dishes; first and foremost of which is cacciucco but we mustn’t forget red mullet or baccalà [salted cod] livornese style, ponce [a coffee punch], torta di ceci [a very popular chick pea “pancake”]. These are just some of the town’s specialties that reflect its cosmopolitan character and traditions. 25 26 Bolgheri, avenue of cypress trees. Bolgheri AND THE WINE ROAD Travelling along the Roman “Emilia” and “Aurelia” consular roads we reach sites of great historic, scenic and gastronomic interest. The Strada del Vino e dell’Olio Costa degli Etruschi gives travelers the opportunity to discover fine wines and olive oils and visit medieval towns like Collesalvetti, Rosignano, Montescudaio, Guardistallo, Castellina, Bibbona Casale before continuing on to Castagneto and San Vincenzo, and finally reaching Sassetta, Monteverdi, Campiglia, Suvereto and Piombino at the southern edge of Livorno province. The suggestive avenue of cypresses, made famous in Giosuè Carducci poetry, leads from San Guido to Bolgheri a delightful medieval village in the heart of the Strada del Vino. 27 28 Bolgheri Castle. Castagneto Carducci. 29 San Guido Oratory. 30 Stepping through the city gate is like going back in time, the village has preserved its original layout and buildings although these have now become craft and workshops, restaurants and wine stores. A short distance away on the hillside is Castagneto Carducci, an enchanting village of Etruscan origin. From here you can admire the splendid view of the olive groves, vineyards and Mediterranean woods which slope gently down to the sea, while on a clear day one can see the Tuscan islands in the background. Roads lead off in all directions, meandering through the Tuscan countryside is the Strada del Vino e dell’Olio Costa degli Etruschi, along which you can find producers of some of the most sought after wines in the world. One of these is Sassicaia that has become a symbol of unerring Tuscan excellence and has helped make this area the cradle of superlative Italian wines. Tenuta di San Guido. 31 32 Here one can enjoy traditional culinary delights and olive oil and is spoilt for choice when it comes to red, white and dessert wines with their refined taste and unique character. Moving on to Cecina we have the Etruscan- Roman Museum, while further down the coast there is the archaeological site of San Vincenzino, the tourist port of Cala de’ Medici, the fortifications of Donoratico and Bibbona, and for lovers of relaxation the beautiful beaches and pine woods of San Vincenzo. These are just some of the possible destinations to come and discover the true lifestyle and traditions of Tuscany. 33 Paolina island, Procchio, Elba Island. 34 Elba Island AND THE PEARLS OF THE TYRRHENIAN SEA Elba is the largest of the “Pearls of the Tyhrrenian Sea”, the islands that make up the Tuscan archipelago, and it is just a short ferry trip from the port of Piombino.