Under Piazza della RepubblicaOne of the best and most relaxing ways to see Livorno and to understand the layout of the city is to take a boat trip along the canals, or fossi, as they are called by the locals.

The tour, with commentary, offers an interesting perspective of the city and takes you round the Fosso Reale ('royal canal'), past the Fortezza Nuova ('new fortress') and right under the Piazza della Repubblica, previously called 'Il Voltone' or the 'big bridge' which is effectively what it is.

 A fosso in Italian is a moat, and the main waterways that cross Livorno were in fact originally the defensive moats around the old walls of the city. They later took on an important commercial role in the transportation of goods on barges from the big ships to the warehouses situated along the canals, especially in the Nuova Venezia quarter.

There are two companies operating boat trips on the canals of Livorno, each one making a similar trip along the fossi:
 

Scama run the 24-seater Pamiglione boat. They will be running a regular service during the 25th TAN (Trofeo Accademia Navale) Yachting Regatta from 23 April – 4 May 2008, every hour from about 11am from the Porto Mediceo (€10 euros). The trips are accompanied by licensed guides who give an informative commentary along the way.
At other times, trips with a licensed guide can be reserved in advance by groups. Scama also organises special trips,  bookable in advance, combining the canal trip along the canals with dinner or lunch in a local restaurant or pizzeria. The boat can be booked for special events such as birthdays and anniversaries, and it is also available for other kinds of excursions, transfers for fishing competitions, and wedding photo shoots. Trips can be accompanied by local personalities and/or singers of popular songs.
For further information tel. +(39) 0586 403280, fax. +(39) 0586 449728, mobile +(39) 333 1573372 or write to scama@antitesi.it.
 

Cooperativa Itinera runs the Marco Polo boat, a 50-seater vessel which belongs to the Compagnia Portuale di Livorno. Various types of tours with commentary are on offer for 2008, including the Viaggio del Gusto on Saturdays at 8pm, a two-hour tour ending with a tour of the Old Fortress and a tasting of local produce; Viaggi Livornesi on Sundays at 4pm (9pm during the summer), featuring commentary by Livornese comedian Claudio Marmugi. Special trips are also organised during Christmas and during Effetto Venezia (August).
For cruise passengers there is a daily boat trip at 11am with commentary in English and Spanish (€10 euros) leaving from the Scali Avvalorati.
Tailor-made trips can also be organised for groups by advanced reservation.
For further information tel. +(39) 348 7382094 (mobile), or write to giro.battello.livorno@itinera.info