Ville-Franche and Monaco

October 22, 2010
Ville Franche, France/Monaco
- tendered into port
- walked to Citadel
- walked along waterfront to new harbor.
- walked back toward old town through back roads/side streets and the impromptu market to train station.
- took 10 minute train ride to Monaco, Monte Carlo.
- walked along harbor and drooled over fine yachts.
- walked to Casino Monte Carlo and up center of La Place to all the high-end shops.
- went to Chanel, loved that they had Gardenia perfume. An attendant came to see if we needed any help- I asked her if they had any signature CC stud crystal earrings and they did!!! I tried them on and... BOUGHT them!!!!!!!!!!!! I finally bought something at Chanel, and in Monaco no less :)
What I was really impressed with was how kind and welcoming the Chanel shop assistants were- they didn't just discount us as tourists or poor people like the way I am usually treated at Chanel stores I've been to in the US. Even after I purchased the earrings, the shop assistant offered to perfume me in Gardenia :) I felt respected and pampered which was an extremely pleasant surprise. My biggest regret is not buying the perfume as well.
- walked to more fancy shops like Louis Vuitton.
- walked back toward harbor and through the carnival that was being set up along the pier.
- took photos from below the Royal Palace on the cliff.
- walked all along lower Monaco to find a WC... None... Anywhere. We went to the Gare twice and finally found one the second time (Jenny has eagle eyes). At least it got us off the beaten track to see some back roads and beautiful Place/Piazzas.
- stopped at a Super Marcher and bought some treats for the kids and found Coke Light Sans Caffeine.
- stopped at a Pharmacy to get some medicine for my cough.
- got back on the train to Ville Franche. Stopped at la plage and put our feet in the water- the beach was tiny pebbles instead of sand so it was easy to clean off. It was quite refreshing and rejuvenating for our tired feet. Plus the sun shine was glorious!
- walked along harbor to more shops- Les bought a fresh crepe nutella (fresh batter, freshly cooked crepe, and a just barely opened jar of nutella- cannot get more fresh than that.) she also bought an orangina.
- Lacey and I bought Magnum Bars :)
- got back on boat.
- stopped at Aquarium Bar for a glass of water.
- got ready for formal night.
- ordered hot chocolate and French fries from Room Service. I heart Room Service :)
- had dinner in dinning room Carmen. Our waiter Razvan hurt his leg so we had a different waiter.
- tried to go to Sky Bar but was closed for private function.
- Name that Tune at Schooner Bar. Sinatra
- saw tribute to broadway show at La Scala theater.
- casino: we each had a dollar to gamble- it lasted about 10 minutes :)
- sat in Aquarium Bar for a bit.
- watched Island Frenzy parade and the hot drummer Steve through a lei at me but I wasn't paying attention but it got stuck to another lei so he had to stop and untangle me.
- got our sandwiches from the Promenade Cafe and discovered we could make our own hot chocolate there! Of course we discover this on our second to last night- duh.

Our ship: Voyager of the Sea

Drooling over million dollar yatchs in Monaco

La Plage!!!!!

For Meg :)

First bite...........

Then it fell on the ground :(

Lacey and her Diet Coke

Our Spot at the Aquarium Bar

Island Parade Fun!!

Florence

October 21, 2010
Florence, Italy
- took Ship Shuttle to Piazza Grande in Livorno, then took a city bus to train station. Since shuttle didn't leave until 7:49 we missed the 8:10 train to Florence so we had to wait an hour for the 9:10 train.
- arrived in Florence around 10:30 and immediately went to the Accademia even though our reservation wasn't until 3 pm. They let us in and we saw Michelangelo's "David"- it was a highlight in my life!!!!!
- saw 2 Elders riding bikes- gave them a quick shout out as we crossed the street.
- walked through central Florence passed the Pallazzo Medici (1 block away from the Duomo) then passed the Duomo to see Ghiberti's doors on the baptistry (!!!!) and on to the Uffizi.
- saw Botticelli's "Primavera" and "Birth of Venus"- it was kind of weird to see them framed and behind glass. Another highlight!! Saw Caravaggio's "Judith Slaying Hollefernes"- AMAZING!!!!!!!
- walked down the back of the museum down to the Ponte Vecchio- did some shopping (scarves and ties and looked and looked and looked for a sweater for dad).
- got back in train to Livorno at 3:10 pm and arrived at 4:50- took the bus back to the piazza to catch the shuttle- the bus was SO crowded but not as bad as the train yesterday. Met a funny group from Chicago waiting/ guarding the line for the Ship Shuttle (which cost $8 each for a 10 minute ride). Some people are so rude/selfish/ignorant of people lining up and waiting patently- getting on the shuttle was ridiculous and yet hilarious because husband were getting on without their wives and vice versa then complaining about it. CRAZY but the shuttle organizer was awesome and didn't take any line cutters or shovers.
- back on ship: went to dinner and the staff sang for us :)
- played Name That Beatles Tune but they did trick questions and played singled-out parts like Ringo's drums in "Strawberry Fields"
- Sang Kareoke (Les sang "Cowboy Take Me Away" by Dixie Chicks!!)
- watched The Quest game show.
- watched dancers at Club 20 party which basically seemed like a party for the cruise director staff. I wish I had the courage to go dance with them but I was tired and looked like crap and they all were such amazing dancers.Palazzo Medici!!

Bruneleschi's Dome!!! This architectural marvel ushered in the Renaissance!!

Stairway in the Uffizi

Outside front entrance of the Uffizi.

Ponte Vecchio

Gelato!!!!!!!!!!!!

So tired so we are taking a rest before our big night out.

Europe Feet- I think we sped walked through Italy :)

ROME

October 20, 2010
Roma!!
- get off boat 7:30 (late arrival)
- walk to train station for 1 hour 20 min ride to Roma Termini
- get on Metro to Coliseum!!
- get back on Metro to Spanish Steps, walk up and down the steps.
- walk to Trevi Fountain!! Throw a coin and eat delish gelato (Alli had melon, everyone else has nutella).
- walk to Pantheon!!!! Scale is VAST!!
It just kept getting better and better.
- walk to Piazza Navona and bought art.
- took bus to Vatican City. St. Peter's square was closed (papal audience at noon). Arrived at Vatican Museum at 12:30 so we barely missed seeing Pope Benedict. Saw the Laocoon!!! Saw Raphael "School of Athens"!!! Saw 3 sister missionaries in the museum for their P-Day. Saw the Sistine Chapel- ah!!!!! It really is as amazing as they say it is.
- snuck out a side door from Sistine Chapel and got right into St. Peter's Basilica when they re-opened it after the papal audience.
- saw Michelangelo "Pieta"
- saw the Baldachino- the scale is HUGE!!!
- ate lunch sitting on the steps of Bernini's perfectly designed piazza- the arms reaching out.
- took the train ride from Hell back to port (over crowded, hot, had to stand for an hour)- we call it the Pit of Dispair. Les counted 35 people crammed in to the entry-way/loading area standing without A/C for an hour.
- dinner and hot tubbing to soak our aching muscles.
- ordered hot chocolate from room service- it came with hot milk :)
BEST. DAY. EVER