View of Piazza di Montenero and the sea in the backgroundWhat a great shame that Montenero, one of Livorno's most attractive and interesting areas, has been excluded in 2009 from the route run by the Sightseeing bus tour, a service operated by the international bus company, along with the local ATL and the Porto 2000.

The route operated by the red topless bus - tickets for which cost €15 per person - is now limited to running along the seafront as far as the Rotonda in Ardenza, stopping near Livorno's two museums on its return to town. The whole tour takes about an hour.

The reason for this re-routing is unclear, but likely to be to do with cost-effectiveness. Offering visitors a chance to see Livorno's attractions seems to take second place.

Montenero is a small village on the hill to the south of Livorno. It only takes about 10 minutes to get there from Ardenza. From Piazza delle Carrozze, where the bus used to stop, and where the local no. 2 bus terminates, passengers can take the 100-year old funicular railway up to the Piazza di Montenero where, besides the famous Sanctuary, there are also some fabulous views over the city. It is a haven of peace and quiet (apart from Sundays!) and a great place for a coffee or snack away from the bustle of the city centre.

Such a pity, then, to deny many visitors the chance to visit this lovely part of Livorno.
Montenero can still be reached by using local transport. The number 2 bus is a direct service from Livorno. Bus tickets cost €1 each way.