|
|
You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
............ 
Apr 23, 2025 12:00 AM My nameday in Livorno.
I celebrate my day on the ship in Livorno... Sunny day. I kust received a confirmation of one more fascinating cruise! (Fiji to Tahiti in 2026) and I treat this as a gift. What a gift! We decided to stay today on board, enjoying all attractions offered, sunbathing and planning tomorrow's visit in France. While in Livorno every visit to the city will cost you at least 7 eur for shuttle bus, because they do not allow to walk on your own from the ship to the port gate. Shame on you Port of Livorno! I invited my son to sushi restaurant... There will be also a Broadway - style show in the evening. Let's celebrate!
|
Apr 22, 2025 12:00 AM We are going to Pisa!
From Livorno Centrale station it is 20 minutes by train to Pisa Centrale (2,80 euro each way) then you have to walk to the Arno River, cross it and snake with the crowd of tourists of the different nations... Three huge monumental buildings are waiting there for pictures: The Leaning Tower, Pisa Cathedral and Baptisterium. You pay entrance fee only if you want to go inside. We returned the same way to the ship. I used the free voucher offered to high-ranking passengers to order the laundry...
|
Apr 21, 2025 12:00 AM Arivederci Roma!
Our ship docked in Civitavechia before sunrise. We were ready soon because it is one hour train ride to get to Rome. They offer shuttle bus from the ship to the station for 6 dollars or euro. But there is also free port shuttle going to the parking in the city - about 1 km from the station. Train ticket to Rome (no discounts) costs 4,60 euro.
We disembarked at Roma San Pietro station to start close to Vatican. The line of the people waiting to enter the basilica wasn't long. Soon. After the security screening we were inside. Just to receive sad message: the pope passed away!
After Vatican (see my son and grandsons on the picture) I took them to St Angel's Castle, we crossed the river and took the pictures of Di Trevi fountain, Spanish Stairs and Colosseum. The sky was blu, the day lovely and my companions were very happy. We terminated 8 kms walk at Termini station at 2 pm to catch the train to Civitavechia. Returned by ealk to the ship. Bingo! We deserved the big (and free on this ship) ice cream! :)
|
Apr 20, 2025 12:00 AM Easter Sunday in Napoli!
Vesuvius Volcano on the other side of the bay. Sunny day. We celebrate Easter in Italy. But in the terminal building no wifi or tourist info desk. But in the terminal hotel they allowed me to use their network... Have a Happy Easter!
I got the map of the city in the little kiosk, crossed municipio Square and started the walk or rather climbing uphill Monte Martino
Real life in the narrow, cobbled strees,.. Stairs... The view opens only from Victor Emanuelle Ii street. You woll see roofs and domes of the old town, but also Vesuvio and the bay...
From this place I started descent to the cathedral hidden between high houses but having nice interior..
Nice experience, nice day!
|
Apr 19, 2025 12:00 AM Captain Asen - my 47th captain...
Day at sea, but a lot to do! Invitation to the behind the sceves tour of the ship. Then wine tasting. And finally Captain's Cocktail for the most loyal passengers. (I am platinium level pax on this cruie. Captain Asen remember my face - I was alreaady sailing with him from Mauritius to Cape Town! Nice person! In the evening we went to the new show - Amercan style!
|
Apr 18, 2025 12:00 AM Palma de Mallorca
Today we docked in Palma. It was cloudy in the morning, but later the sun appeared. Let you know that the cruise port is located on the opposite side of the bay, looking fronm old town an city center. It is 4 kms to the famous, huge cathedral (on the picture). Ship offers shuttle bus for this route charging 20 USD for round trip. But I was already here and decided to make my other dream true: 25 kms from Palma there os picturesque old town of Valdemossa. Chopin was living and working there for few months.
I, the lover of Chopin's music sonce years wanted to see this place. And today the dream came true! I was walking 5 kms from the ship to Plaza Espanya bus station. Paid 4,50 euro for the bus going to picturesque Mountains. Paid 12,50 entry fee to enter Valdemossa Monastery, visited museum and attendend short concert of Chopin's music. On return I had enough time to cross old town in Palma and return to the ship 15 min befor "all aboard" deadline. What a day!
|
Apr 17, 2025 12:00 AM Sunny day on Ibiza
The morning was sunny but strong and cold wind was waiting for me on the open deck. We turned into the bay where cruise and ferry port are located only at 11 am. The location of yhis port is exceptional: opposite the hill with a castle on the top, with the green hills around. I am here for the first time and first impression was very positive.
Not often I sign for the tours offered by ship but this one cost me only 17 euro an we had only few hours on Ibiza...
Bus took us first to salinas. Where they still produce salt from the sea water. Not far from there we stopped at beautiful Salinas Beach. At eater temp 17 deg. C many people were bathing and swimming. Then through the pine forests we went to the west coast of Ibiza to enjoy nice cliffs. I didn't know that Ibiza is hilly island, offering interesting landscape.
My boys went to Ibiza city on the opposite side of the bay. To get there on a cheap you have to find city boat at the edge of ferry terminal. For just 7 euro they offer round-trip crossing of the bay, departing every 30 min. If you want to walk it is 4 kms around the bay each way! The old city with cathedral - they say -is interesting. i will go there next time! :)
|
Apr 16, 2025 12:00 AM Boarding Big Ship
It was rain expected in Barcelona for the evening but surprise it was sunny when we were marching to the port at 10 am. Our big ship was docked close to Europa Brldge. Due toy platinium status in this line the check-in was very quick and at 11.30 we were already in our cabin on deck 14. But the cabin was not ready yet! So we went to the restaurant for the lunch with unlimited ice cream! We will be departing at 4 pm to Ibiza....It is OK! The boys are excited and happy. Me too! :)
|
Apr 15, 2025 12:00 AM Guell Park - book early!
Sunny morning in Barcelona. We decided to ride the metro to the Vallcarca Station. Single ticket for subway costs 2,65 euro. Once in Vallcarca there are arrows showing the way to the famous Guell Park housing many works of Antonio Gaudi. It you are approaching the Park from this side there are few segments of electric stairs taking you up the steep street.
At the entrance check- point we were asked to show online tickets (18 euro, 22,50 seniors and students) The officer said that all tickets for today are sold out.
We went to the hill above for the view of Barcelona and Cerro tres cruces on the other side of the high fence. We went down to the street turned left and soon we reached the main entrance to the park. The richly decorated entrance buildings are good samples of Gaudi style. Better to have such a picture tham nothing!
|
Apr 14, 2025 12:00 AM Aerial view of Barcelona
Today I was guiding my son and grandson through the attractions of Barcelona. The highlight was the ride on the old aerial tram from Barceloneta beach area to Mont Juic. We had excellent, sunny weather this morning. They start the operation at 10.30 am. It was not necessary to book the tickets online. We departed on first tram... Ticket costs 12, 50 euro one way and the view of the port and city is worth this price! Once on Mont Juic we enjoyed also view from the terrace. Then we took a walk through the park to the Arts Museum of Catalunya to descrnt to Plaza Espanya... Former Bull Arena stands here converted into shopping mall. They have viewings terrace on the roof level but nawadays they charge 1,50 euro for the lift!
Instead we took the subway (2,65 for single ticket) to Sagrada Familia church. Crowd of tourists here! Everybody is taking pictures, nobody think about pray and religious character of this strange building! Walking the streets we reached brick Arch built inthe nice park... What a day!
|
Page:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
|
|
|
