LoveItaly

Leghorn is the english translated name of Livorno. I do not know the reason why some town names are translated into english and some others not !
For sure there are a lot of americans living in Livorno because of the military base Camp Darby, located inbetween Livorno and Pisa.
The rest are cruisers disembarking and visiting Pisa Lucca Florence etc.. by bus tours before sailing somewhere else.
Others take the ferry from Livorno to Sardinia and Corsica so the town is pretty busy in summer but just as TRANSIT point, not as destination itself.

I can say that because I LIVE THERE/HERE since always !

ciao



I discourage tourists to come to Livorno

I love Milan and have spent a lot of time there but I think for a first time visitor to Italy that chosing between Venice and Milan, Venice would be the city to visit. There is no way one can see all of Italy their first visit. In fact most Italians have not visited every spot in Italy.

eileenferrie, most people that visit Italy return time and time again. On your next visit you could go to Milan. IMO it is a city you should go to at some point in your travels.

Wishing you a beautiful time in Italy!

oops I did not erase the last useless sentence on my last post !!

some words on Milano.
I like it. I will be there next mon/tue and I guess the face of the Duomo is completely covered as under restauration, or at least it was so some weeks ago ! I will see and report next week. The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci is often sold out weeks in advance and I would say that these 2 are the highlights of the town, the rest is for shoppers downtown !
As first trip to Italy, with limited time, I would prefer the classic 3: Venezia Firenze Roma and saving Milano with its lakes area for another trip.

Ciao Fabio, so you live in Livorno??
In English "leghorn" always reminds me of the breed of chicken we have called "leghorn". I only have the maps of Italy from Italy so they are only in the Italian names. For a long time when someone mentioned Longhorn I had no idea where that was.

Are you familar with the very small village called Calvari? It is north of Livorno, just east a few miles from Chiavari. It is a little place, so beautiful. I have spent many happy days there. Best wishes to you!

LoveItaly, I have always wondered about Livorno/Leghorn too. So your question inspired me to do a web search. Apparently the discrepancy occurs because the English and the Italians based their names for the area on two different roots. Here is the reference I found.
(Note: I have split the URL below into two lines because I hate the way Fodors makes the display so wide when you have a long URL. If you want to follow the link, you will need to put the whole thing into your browser on one line.)

Much doubt has been thrown on the antiquity of Livorno (Repetti, II. p717); and the highest generally ascribed to it is that of Roman times — either as the Ad Herculem of the Antonine Itinerary, on the Via Aurelia, 12 miles from Pisae; or the Labro of Cicero (ad Quint. Frat. II. 6); or the Liburnum, mentioned by Zosimus (Annal. V. cited by Cluver); whence the modern name, Livorno, is derived. It is said to have been called Ligurnum (Leghorn) in the middle ages.

The Cities and Cemeteries of Etruria
by George Dennis
published by John Murray, Albemarle Street
London, 1848.

http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/...Places/Europe/
Italy/_Periods/Roman/Archaic/Etruscan/_Texts/DENETR*/36.html

never been to Calvari but the area is very nice. Food as well !!
I shame myself but lately I travel much more overseas than domestic !! and I cannot be always of help on this forum ! I will do my best !

I just found you on the Russia forum too !! (Violence in Russia)

A lot of travelers like me will get many benefits from very active fodorities like you !! Thank you !!

Any city and small town in the Tuscana region is beautiful and worth the visit. I worked / lived in Italy for one whole year and would definitely stay in Siena. It could be better than Firenze (less crowded with tourists). I have never been in Livorno. I don't think it is worth the visit. If you want to be near the mare go to Cinque Terre, Sorrento or Capri. Milano is good for a day trip but Venezia is unique.

1. Yes
2. Don't know (never been there)
3. Venice

I have been to Italy nine times--to study art history and language, to sightsee, and to visit relatives. I just came back from Italy last September. Probably the most useful tool I had to plan the trip was the Michelin Green Guide Italy.
1) Siena is definitely worth spending the night, or even several nights. I prefer Siena to Florence because it is much less crowded and has the most magnificent cathedral interior, as well as beautiful architecture. You can day trip from Siena to Florence, San Gemignano and even Pisa.

2) Livorno, I believe is near Pisa. I would recommend spending an extra night in Siena rather than going to Pisa.

3) Venice is an architectural marvel and is a must. It is very small and walkable. Try to stay near Piazza San Marco to take in the dueling orchestras in the evening at Cafe Quaddri and Cafe Florian. Make time for the Doge's Palace and the interior of St. Mark's Cathedral. The view from the Tower in St. Mark's Square is magnificent. I have also been to Burano and could recommend it highly.
4) Milan does have stunning architecture, also. The duomo is a neogothic masterpiece. The Galleria is probably the world's most charming shopping mall.