Good news...We didn't! Lose any money at the casino! Actually high winds and three attempts at docking ended up in a Sea day today. We were unable to dock in MONACO and the port closed due to high winds so we did not get to see Monte Carlo. We are disappointed but c'est la vie! We have spent a great day on board enjoying another day of sunshine. Tomorrow we end our cruise in Barcelona and on to Paris.
I'll Sea you there..... Au revoir !
Monday, 9 May 2011
Florence
Today (Sunday) we dock in LIVORNO, a 1 1/2 hour drive from Florence / Firenze home to the art of the Renaissance. We arrived in Florence at 10:00am and quickly decided that our agenda and that of our guide's did not agree so we set out on our own to empty our short Florence bucket list. See David and buy a purse. (actually I guess this would be my bucket list and not Bob's but as they saying goes "a happy wife is a happy life".... Mission accomplished.
We lined up for just under an hour to see the authentic David "in the flesh" at the Accademia. So worth the wait as he is truly beautiful!
We then proceeded to the Cathedral on a Sunday morning, and the peal of the bells to a crowded square...quite magical.
From there we proceeded to the Piazza del Signoria where the copy of David stands, then we wandered down to the Orno and Ponte Vecchio. Although the view is pretty the bridge is lined with jewelry stores and to me, spoiled the feel of old Florence. On to Santa Croce square where we enjoyed the best pizza yet and great house wine. We sat in a restaurant on the square and simply enjoyed the sunshine we have been blessed with since leaving Dubrovnik. Finally after spending way too much money on a purse of the finest leather I could imagine we met our bus to return to the ship. Tomorrow Monaco. Home to the rich and famous!
We lined up for just under an hour to see the authentic David "in the flesh" at the Accademia. So worth the wait as he is truly beautiful!
We then proceeded to the Cathedral on a Sunday morning, and the peal of the bells to a crowded square...quite magical.
From there we proceeded to the Piazza del Signoria where the copy of David stands, then we wandered down to the Orno and Ponte Vecchio. Although the view is pretty the bridge is lined with jewelry stores and to me, spoiled the feel of old Florence. On to Santa Croce square where we enjoyed the best pizza yet and great house wine. We sat in a restaurant on the square and simply enjoyed the sunshine we have been blessed with since leaving Dubrovnik. Finally after spending way too much money on a purse of the finest leather I could imagine we met our bus to return to the ship. Tomorrow Monaco. Home to the rich and famous!
Roma
As it is impossible to see Rome in a day we had to make a difficult choice. The Vatican was the winner, although we did, quickly, tour ancient Rome before arriving at the Vatican city. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable, so much so that digesting the amount of interesting facts she had to share gave me heartburn. St.Peters square, St.Peters Bascilica, and the Sistine chapel were beyond words beautiful and carry so much history that it was both emotional and heartstopping to consider!
Unfortunately the crowds made it near impossible to stop and take in much of the beauty as the security guards voiced their wish for us to move along. AVANTI AVANTI!
The beatification of Pope John Paul II on May 2, added to the crowds as many came to worship and pay homage to him.
I underestimated the walking involved, as the Vatican is small in area but large in history.
My feet are sore but I would not have missed a single step!
Unfortunately the crowds made it near impossible to stop and take in much of the beauty as the security guards voiced their wish for us to move along. AVANTI AVANTI!
The beatification of Pope John Paul II on May 2, added to the crowds as many came to worship and pay homage to him.
I underestimated the walking involved, as the Vatican is small in area but large in history.
My feet are sore but I would not have missed a single step!
Saturday, 7 May 2011
Messina
Hi all,
This is out of order but our visit to Sicily and Messina was Thursday. Messina is considered to be the gateway to Sicily. The main square is dominated by the cathedral and within the square is the fountain of Orion, the mythical founder of Messina.
The fountain was origianlly to be built by Michaelangelo but he was busy and sent instead an understudy who carved the statue and fountain so it is very much in the style of Michaelangelo. Sicily suffered an earthquake in 1908 and much of the city of Messina had to be rebuilt. The square also houses a cathedral and clock tower which has a Spanish influence as Messina was dominated by the Spaniards for 5 centuries. At this date Sicily is separated from the Italian mainland and plans to build a bridge joining it with mainland Italy are being rejected by both Sides. It is that fact that made me realize that the residents of Sicily are Sicilians and those of the mainland are Italians!!!!!!
Ciao for now and Sea you in Florence!!!!
This is out of order but our visit to Sicily and Messina was Thursday. Messina is considered to be the gateway to Sicily. The main square is dominated by the cathedral and within the square is the fountain of Orion, the mythical founder of Messina.
The fountain was origianlly to be built by Michaelangelo but he was busy and sent instead an understudy who carved the statue and fountain so it is very much in the style of Michaelangelo. Sicily suffered an earthquake in 1908 and much of the city of Messina had to be rebuilt. The square also houses a cathedral and clock tower which has a Spanish influence as Messina was dominated by the Spaniards for 5 centuries. At this date Sicily is separated from the Italian mainland and plans to build a bridge joining it with mainland Italy are being rejected by both Sides. It is that fact that made me realize that the residents of Sicily are Sicilians and those of the mainland are Italians!!!!!!
Ciao for now and Sea you in Florence!!!!
Amalfi,Positano, Pompeii
Hi again, sorry no Internet yesterday so I am catching up today. Friday was a long but wonderful day as our guide Bruno and driver Luciano took us along the breathtakingly beautiful Amalfi coastline. The drive was adventurous to say the least as it seems there are few rules for drivers in Italy and the bus drivers are very skilled at keeping us safely on the road and not down the side of a mountain.
The afternoon was a visit to the ruins of Pompeii. Buried by Vesuvius over 2000 yrs ago, the excavation and discovery of this ancient city began over 260 years ago and archaeologists continue to excavate today.
It was unbelievable to walk through the ruins and imagine life in Pompeii 2000 Years ago. Some surprising facts were shared by our fantastic guide.
On to the Vatican next..... Sea you there!
The afternoon was a visit to the ruins of Pompeii. Buried by Vesuvius over 2000 yrs ago, the excavation and discovery of this ancient city began over 260 years ago and archaeologists continue to excavate today.
It was unbelievable to walk through the ruins and imagine life in Pompeii 2000 Years ago. Some surprising facts were shared by our fantastic guide.
On to the Vatican next..... Sea you there!
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Hi...It's been two days. Our first port of call was Dubrovnik and we spent a very rainy day seeing a beautiful city, rich in history. Croatia became a nation unto their own after the Balkan war. Old Dubrovnik is a walled city with Streets made of marble from the 15th century.
As we walked the streets of the city, we could only imagine who walked them before us.
Wednesday has been spent at sea as we make our way toward Messina Sicily and the home of Mt Etna.
As this is my first Carnival cruise I have been assessing and comparing, and have to say that everything has been great and the entertainment top notch!
Sea you tomorrow!
As we walked the streets of the city, we could only imagine who walked them before us.
Wednesday has been spent at sea as we make our way toward Messina Sicily and the home of Mt Etna.
As this is my first Carnival cruise I have been assessing and comparing, and have to say that everything has been great and the entertainment top notch!
Sea you tomorrow!
Monday, 2 May 2011
The Carnival Magic cast her spell as she made her way out of the port of Venice. With the sun shining on the shoreline and Pavarotti on the seaside theatre big screen, our departure was both romantic and magical.
The ship is huge at 130,000 tons and a capacity of 3690 passengers in 1845 staterooms, It also has the honour of being the 100th ship of the Carnival Corporation. We haven't explored the entire ship yet but so far it is chocked full of everything one could want including a spa that is aptly named "CLOUD 9". Suites are well laid out and very comfortable.
This ship also marks the last ship that lead designer Joseph Farcus, who has been the lead designer for Carnival Corporation for 30 years, will design. So will we see a change in decor for Carnival in the future? We will have to wait and see. Tomorrow is a sea day so I will seek out all the corners of the ship and have more to report by then.
The ship is huge at 130,000 tons and a capacity of 3690 passengers in 1845 staterooms, It also has the honour of being the 100th ship of the Carnival Corporation. We haven't explored the entire ship yet but so far it is chocked full of everything one could want including a spa that is aptly named "CLOUD 9". Suites are well laid out and very comfortable.
This ship also marks the last ship that lead designer Joseph Farcus, who has been the lead designer for Carnival Corporation for 30 years, will design. So will we see a change in decor for Carnival in the future? We will have to wait and see. Tomorrow is a sea day so I will seek out all the corners of the ship and have more to report by then.
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