Livorno, Italy

We finally got out of port and our cruise has started.    After missing the first 2 stops we are in Livorno and this was already scheduled as an overnight stop.  Azamara tries to include an overnight stop somewhere in each itinerary which is very nice since it can be rare to get to enjoy the nightlife of a stop when on a cruise.  This also usually when Azamara will have their Azamazing evening event which is complimentary for each guest. 
 This is a pretty good place to have an overnight since Livorno is close to both Pisa and Florence so there is a lot to see.  Pisa is about a 20 minute train ride while Florence it a little over an hour away by train.   Since the Azamazing evening event is tonight we decided to go to Pisa today since it is closer.   We walked to the train station, which we didn't realize was a good hike from the port.  It was about a 2 mile walk but we figured this was also a good way to explore Livorno.  It wasn't that interesting of a walk so it mostly just seemed long.  I am sure most people opted for either a taxi or the bus to get from the port to the train station but what fun is that.   We easily found our train and before we knew it we were in Pisa.   Of course the main thing to see in Pisa is the leaning tower.   It was an easy walk from the train station.   Along the way we walked through the University of Pisa and oddly enough it was graduation day for some students.  It was kind of fun to see them celebrating - instead of a cap and gown there wore wreaths like the Romans wore on their heads.   We explore the grounds around the Tower and laughed at the tourists taking the funny posed photos like they were holding up the tower.   One thing that we have learned is that finding a restroom can be rather difficult and then when you do find one it will usually cost money.   We did find one conveniently located by this tourist attraction and it was .80 per person but when you gotta go you gotta go.  Walked the wall around the area and made our way back to the train station.  We got back to the ship in time to eat and get ready to go back out for our Azamazing evening which was a special Opera show just for us.   On the way back to the ship we did see some kids out trick or treating in the shops.  It was fun to see that Halloween is very similar in Italy.   Onboard the dining room had a scary dessert buffet with lots of fun Halloween themed desserts. 
   The event was all very orderly with guests being called by deck to board the buses that would take us into town to the theater.  It was wonderful to have the whole Goldoni theater to ourselves.   We had our own booth in the balcony and enjoyed a lovely show by the Incanto Quartet.   They preformed some classic opera along with some contemporary songs too.    Back onboard they were waiting to welcome us with champagne and hot chocolate.   There was also a late night buffet with snacks and more dessert.    Up in the Living Room there was a Halloween party but there wasn't anyone dressed up.   I guess if maybe Halloween wasn't the same night as the Opera event more people might have brought a costume for the night.