Friday 17 August 2012

FLORENCE AND PISA ON OUR OWN

Our first port of call on our exciting journey is Livorno, Italy.  From here we can connect to Florence and Pisa via a Princess cruisetour "Florence and Pisa on your own".  We opted to do this one as we truly are the sort that like to wander and discover on our own, but the shuttle service was much appreciated.
We headed eagerly to Princess Theatre where we were hustled into groups and in a very short time ushered out of the ship and onto our awaiting bus where we met our guide for the day.  I felt like an eight-year old school girl on my way to town with Mom to pick up my new school supplies/wardrobe.  

As our bus meandered through the lovely Tuscan countryside our guide provided commentary on the Etruscan empire and the Italian Renaissance.  I just wanted to get my photo taken 'pushing over' the Leaning Tower!

Approaching Pisa, our guide advised that as soon as the bus came to a stop we would be surrounded by 'gypsies' selling their wares.  She was correct.  They were already converging on us before we had even come to a full stop.  We were warned not to purchase products from them as it was illegal to do so ~ something that I was not aware of!  She did point out the legal merchants, but to be honest in most cases the offerings didn't look any different.  I had my eye on a gorgeous umbrella emblazened with a photo of Florence...but Reese just yanked me away and told me not to make eye contact.  Really?  That's half the fun!

We strolled behind our guide as she led us through the large parking area and across the street.  As we filed down a narrow street draped in bougainvillea, I could see the Tower in the distance.  Before long, we entered a large field (The Field of Miracles) and there it was...in all of it's glory...leaning like a flower to the sun.  We jockeyed with all of the eager tourists to take our signature pictures and Voila! Not exactly as I had hoped, but it would do!



After marveling at the 14 foot incline, we stopped at the Cathredal and Baptistery, a beautiful representation of Pisan-Style architecture with tiers of arcades, together with geometrical decorations based on lozenge shapes.  It was getting hot ~ about 31 degrees already ~ and when our 40 minutes or so was up we were eager to once again board the bus and head to Florence, the jewel of the Renaissance.

About 1.5 hours later and we arrive in the beautiful Piazza Della Republica in Florence.  From here we can already make out the pointed tower of the Palazzo Vecchio and the Cathedral's massive dome.  It is the cathedral, the Duomo, that symbolizes the wealth and power of Florence in its golden age.  The facade is decorated with multi-coloured marble in pleasant geometric shapes. The interior of the dome is adorned with a fresco of the Last Supper and beautiful stained glass.  Outside the Duomo is the graceful Campanile or Bell Tower.  In front of the cathedral is the Baptistry decorated in white and green marble.  One of the most notable features of the Duomo are the doors, which present scenes from the Bible sculpted on a series of bronze panels.  Michelangelo himself thought them so beautiful he named them the Gates of Paradise.   We stroll on a bit further until we come to the Piazza della Signoria.  In this lovely square, flanked by cafes you will find copies of Michelangelo's 'David' and Donatello's "Florentine Lion".   We opted to stop here for a while at one of the lovely cafes and enjoy the view over an espresso freddo and Caprese salad.









Once we were refreshed we wandered on, enjoying the lovely shops and trattorias offering up a spot in the shade and beautiful works of leather, ceramic, mosaics and jewelry.  One could spend a good deal of time and money in Florence!  Fashion houses here rival those of Paris and London.  Jewelry stores literally surround the beautiful Ponte Vecchio ~ our next stop.  This lovely colourful bridge was home to the medieval gold and silver guilds and still today is as our guide put it "Loved by all women and avoided by all men" because of the large number of jewelry shops flanking it on either side.    As we posed for photos I noticed many tiny locks attached to the rod iron railings.  These are put there by young lovers to symbolize their love.    
As we stood posing and trying to get just enough of the background in the shot, a young, nervous Italian lad dropped to his knees and proposed to his young love right beside me!  The crowd broke out into applause and the lovely young gal blushed and happily accepted the offer of marriage from her suitor. Ahhhhh Italy ~ so Romantic!  We congratulated the young couple as they reveled in the moment and all that the future had to hold.  As time was getting away from us, we hurried along to the Uffizi Museum and Gallery.  With it's incredible collection of Renaissance masterpieces, the Uffizi is recognized as one of the world's greatest museums, rivaling even the Louvre.  Here one can find such works as Botticelli's "Birth of Venus", and "Spring and Madonnas", along with Leonardo da Vinci's "Annunciation" and "Baptism of Christ".  To think that we were walking among these incredible buildings where so many of the world's most renowned artists lived and breathed is awe-inspiring.    If one can handle the lines you can also see the original "David" and The Accademia as well as the tombs of Michelangelo, Macchiavelli, Galileo, Rossini and Dante in the 14th century Church of Santa Croce.  Time did not permit us to visit these last two sites, but we will save those for next time because Florence IS one of those incredibly beautiful cities that warrants more than a peek or a taste.  It is to be savored and experienced as the true masterpiece that it is.

Our group is gathered together in front of one of the local leather shops and as we chatter amongst ourselves with animated joy and appreciation for the day we are called once again to board our coach and head back to our awaiting Princess.  Our senses are over-flowing and I fight to keep my fluttering eyes from closing as we bid good-bye to Florence and the Tuscan Region.

Next stop is Naples and we have a wonderful day waiting for us.  Please say you'll come along for the ride!



Life on Board

At long last, while sipping our first on board cocktail and relaxing in the Skywalker's Lounge we are finally on our way.  This lovely lounge is on the topmost deck and is open to all Elite and Platinum guests at every sail-away, offering a different signature cocktail at each port along with a nice selection of hors d'oeuvres and crudite.  We found this to be a lovely way to say farewell to the many different ports after a long, fun-filled day.


Now it's time to explore.  One could get lost on this ship!  With 19 decks and accommodations for 3080 passengers she truly is quite grand.  From her nearly 900 balconies, you can enjoy sweeping views of romantic landscapes across the world.  Our cabin is located on Deck 14 FORWARD (the front of the ship).  At the far opposite end of our deck there is a lovely, quiet pool for those who prefer a bit of solitude over the masses at the main pools.  One deck above us is one of the busiest spots on board ~ the Lido Deck.   Deck 15 is home to two large pools, both with twin jacuzzi's along either side.  There is every sort of entertainment one could imagine here throughout the day ~ everything from bellyflop contests, martini making lessons, concerts, dance lessons...and the list goes on and on.  The Pizza and Ice cream bar is situated conveniently between both of these pool areas.   This is also where one can enjoy the ever popular "Movies under the Stars".  Such a great idea!   You can cuddle up on the chaise lounges in the evening (which have been decked out with extra comfie cushions and blankets and pillows) and take in one of many blockbuster movies.  Drinks and complimentary popcorn are served throughout the show ~ delivered directly to your chaise.  I could fall asleep here!   Closer to the AFT of this deck you can find the always buzzing Horizon Court ~ the main buffet area of the ship which is always serving up scrumptious food to the masses.  Connected to this you will find the Cafe Caribe, serving up light fare and finally the Outrigger Bar and Lounge.  On the opposite end the second pool is flanked by the Mermaid's Tail bar and the Trident Grill, serving up great hotdogs, hamburgers and fries endlessly.

Move up one deck to Deck 17 and you'll discover the Tradewinds Bar, the Wedding Chapel (yes, they have a wedding chapel and actually had a wedding while were onboard!), Conference Room facilities, the fabulous "Sabatini's" (a reservations only fine Italian dining establishment for which there is a small charge), Adagio bar and of course the Lotus Spa & Fitness Center.  I must say the spa and fitness centre is certainly top-notch.  The gym is large, bright and very well equipped, hosting various classes and information sessions on a daily basis.  There is a jogging track, a basketball court as well as table tennis.  The spa offers anything from thermal massage to botox and everything in between.  Their staff is qualified, knowledgeable and friendly.  Tip: The very best time to visit the spa (and the least expensive) is on a shore day when the vessel is in port.  

Each evening you will receive the Princess Patter delivered to your stateroom.  This helpful brochure tells you what is going on throughout the vessel for the following day.  It will also include an insert relevant to the port you may be visiting ~ with lots of helpful information enclosed to make the most of your port day.  We looked forward to relaxing each evening and discovering what the next day had to offer while browsing through the Patter.  

The true Heart of the vessel can be found on Decks 5-7, the Atrium.  This is a stunning Piazza complete with twin spiral staircases and glorious stained glass lighting. On our first day there was an absolutely incredible male Opera singer performing here ~ his voice actually made the hair stand up on my arms!  From here one can access Passenger Services, the Shore Excursions Desk, the Internet Cafe, Future Cruise Sales, the Library, the shops ~ Essence, Facets, Calypso Cove & Meridian Bay, Crooners and Vines Bar (where they serve lovely wines with complimentary sushi) and of course the always busy International Cafe.  This would be an upscale version of Tim Horton's...quite upscale.  In the mornings you can wonder down here and enjoy a breakfast egg mcmuffin, glorious pastries of every size and sort, tasty muffins and biscuits.  Later in the day the offerings will change to scrumptious sandwiches and desserts including gelato!  Here is a big tip:  You can purchase a coffee card here for $29.00 and it will give you about 24 specialty coffees throughout your cruise.  A great value.  Regular coffee is free of charge at any of the restaurants, but they will charge you for it at the International cafe.  We really enjoyed the espressos and cappucinos here.  This main Atrium area is where people tend to congregate in the evenings and go over their days.





Just outside the Atrium you can find various bars ~ Wheelhouse Bar, Speakeasy Cigar Lounge, Explorers Lounge and of course Gatsby's Casino ~ where you have to try your hand at least once.  We took in some craps lessons, but I still don't quite have it down pat.    Just behind the glass elevators you can find the Art Gallery ~ several winding hallways displaying lovely works of art by various featured artists.  You can actually purchase these works either directly from the gallery or at one of the several auctions that they host on board.  The artwork will be framed/packaged and delivered directly to your home.  Proceed a bit further along on the Forward side and you will find the stunning Princess Lounge ~ as beautiful as any theatre I have ever attended.  We were lucky enough to take in one of the shows and I have to say we were absolutely impressed.  The show itself was amazing ~ from the sets to the lighting to the fabulous costumes ~ you felt like you were taking in a show in Vegas.   At one point the stage opened up and the main singer dropped down below the stage.  The singing and dancing was absolutely top notch ~ do yourself a favor and be sure to take in at least one of these fabulous presentations.    Towards the AFT end of the ship you will discover the Photo Gallery, where you can see your pics displayed each day from the day before, the formal dining rooms ~ Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Da Vinci ~ as well as the Crown Grill ~ a steak and seafood restaurant for which you need reservations and there is a nominal fee. 

Now if this seems overwhelming, relax.... We seemed to discover something new on a daily basis!  No matter how many times we went to one of the pools, it would take us three tries to find it again!  This really is part of the fun ~ getting lost and discovering something unexpected.  

As you can see there is definitely something for everyone on board.  There are children's clubs for kids from babies to teens ~ there is even a disco exclusively for the teens!  You can take a class ~ whether it be a pilates class or a class on the history of Rome, it is offered on the Crown.  You can relax and do absolutely nothing ~ or make it your mission to experience as much as possible ~ the choice is yours and the only thing you will be up against is time.  There just never seems to be enough time to do everything you would like ~ so we have put a deposit down on a future cruise because that bucket list just seems to keep on growing!

Next stop:  Florence and Pisa ~ Join us as we explore these glorious towns!

Wednesday 15 August 2012

Civitavecchia Bound

Today we are heading to the port of Civitavecchia to board our home away from home for the next 12 days ~ Crown Princess.  We sort our luggage, bid 'arrivaderci' to our hosts at the King Hotel and hop in a taxi to the train station.  And the fun starts here!

We purchased our train tickets online with Trenitalia ~ only to be advised two days before departure that they were going on strike!   The great thing about train strikes in Italy, however is that they are scheduled 24-48 hour strikes and luckily we were able to avoid the disruption.  I have been told that even IF the train in question was not running there is generally an alternate line available.  We hop out of our taxi and proceed to collect the luggage that suddenly seems far too heavy and cumbersome for this adventure.  As we enter the train station, we stand like two kids at the gates of Disneyland staring at the commotion and confusion, realizing that we don't have a clue where to proceed from here!  Imagine an airport for trains with all signs in Italian and passengers scurrying here and there purchasing tickets and running to their platforms.  We proceed to one of the ticket windows and are advised that our email IS our ticket and we only need to go to our platform and wait.  Great...so WHERE is our platform?  We approach a couple of policemen who are chatting nearby...they are absolutely no help.  "Over there!" was all one could manage in English.  By now I am certainly looking frustrated and not just a little panic stricken.  Our luggage seems to have doubled in weight, it's hot and I can't remember where I packed my Italian phrase book ~ can you say frazzled??  Just around this time a sweet, kind-looking young lady approaches Reese and I and asks if we need help.  YES! I am wondering where this train angel came from, but am happy to finally have someone who understands us and more importantly seems to understand our dilemma.   She asks to see our tickets and then searches the boards to find our platform.  "OK..just follow me" she offers.  At this point Reese is asking her if she works here, having noted that she isn't wearing a name badge or any uniform.  "Oh yes...this is my job", she replies sweetly.  She proceeds to grab my suitcase and we scurry after her.  She then proceeds down a flight of cement stairs (approximately 15 steps) with my heavy luggage, all the while Reese is trailing behind with his own and I am marveling at the fact that there is no escalator or elevator in the entire station.  How do the elderly travel by train?  Would they be expected to drag their luggage behind them down these stairs?  What about a child in a stroller or heaven forbid a wheelchair??  As we finally reach the bottom we proceed along the platforms and then approach another flight of steps ~ but these ones will require you to carry the luggage UP about 15 stairs!!  I am wondering how this miniscule little gal is managing that 30kg suitcase and hoping that Reese doesn't hurt his back.  Reese is still wondering whether this angel of mercy works here and why there aren't more like her.  As we approach the platform we have been seeking, we are advised that this is it, we have only to stand here and wait and the train will arrive shortly.  She explains to us that because we are first class, second cabin we should look for the second car on the train when it arrives.   Look for the number 1 or 2 on the actual side of the train indicating what class it is and then the car number should be indicated either on the door of the car or on a digital screen adjacent to the door.  I give her a hug and thank her and she asks Reese for 5 euros a bag.  Wait a minute...doesn't she work here??  Well actually she DOES work here, but she is not employed by the train station.  She looks for confused tourists or passengers with heavy bags and offers help.  Just keep in mind that the help is for hire!!  So we settle in on our platform and start to chat up a lovely couple from Australia who have been following us as they are on the same train and were equally perplexed.  The train arrives and we are confused as to why the number indicated on the train is not the number on our tickets.  Ah well, perhaps it will change..you know like a bus!  So we try to open the door of the second car only to be stopped by the shouts of a train worker.  "No no...not open yet! " he snorts.  For good measure I instruct Reese to have this gentleman check his ticket.  Imagine our surprise when he tells us this is not our train!! Our train would be on the next platform and would be arriving in about ten minutes AND we needed to validate our ticket first.  This must be done by sticking your ticket in one of the many machines scattered throughout the terminal.  The ticket will then have a punch on the outer edge.  Our train angel has quickly lost her wings.  We do manage to change platforms and when our train finally arrives we are happy to finally settle in.  This particular train offers storage behind the seats for your larger luggage and overhead storage for carry on bags.  The seats are large and cozy an there is a pull out table top  so that one can read, use their laptop or enjoy a meal.   Civitavecchia is only about 40 minutes by train so no sooner are we settled in, then it is announced we are here.  Funny enough just at this very moment the beverage cart is entering our cabin offering light snacks and beverages.  Timing just doesn't seem to be on our side today!    After bidding goodbye to our new Aussie friends who are proceeding on further, we disembark at the train station in Civitavecchia. 

 I must say that the lack of signage is a bit alarming.  We simply followed the masses, however if one didn't have the benefit of a large mob heading to the same area you could easily get misdirected here.   As we walk through the station and out the opposite side we are greeted by buses and taxis offering to take us to the ship.  We had decided we could walk as we had read it wasn't far.  Take my advice....TAKE THE BUS!!!  We dragged what by now felt like a dead body in a bag for quite some time...down one flight of stairs and up two...over cobblestone sidewalks and finally arrived exhausted and dishevelled at the shuttle stop for the Crown Princess.  We boarded the shuttle, breathed a huge sigh of relief and peered in awe out our window at the size of the cruise ship as we grew nearer.  From the moment we stepped aboard we were on vacation and the sense of adventure and discovery took over.   Reese and I headed to the front desk to collect our room keys and proceeded to our cabin on the Riviera Deck ~ R241.  We had toyed with the idea of upgrading to a balcony, but I can say with sincerity we truly felt our inside cabin was everything we needed.  It was spacious, with a large queen sized bed.  There was a flat screen television, two end tables and plenty of storage.  The bathroom had a shower and was well-appointed and the mini-bar was stocked and ready to go.  We washed our faces, brushed our teeth, grabbed our ship map and headed out to explore the ship.    Eventually we found our way to the Horizon Buffet where we enjoyed a light lunch.  I have to give kudos to the incredible staff of the cruise.  Their attention to every detail and genuine friendliness truly made our cruise that much more memorable.   Eventually we would make our way up to the Skywalker's Lounge on the top deck to enjoy a drink while we watched our home away from home sail away into the calm seas of the Mediterranean.  Tomorrow we are at  Sea....join us as we explore our ship!  Ahoy!

Tuesday 14 August 2012

Taste of Tuscany


























































You simply cannot visit Italy without taking in the charm and flavor of the Tuscan region.  We recommend the various tours offered by Viatour.com.    They offered exactly what we wanted at better rates than the cruise line.   We opted for the Taste of Italy Food Tour to Chianti and Umbria from Rome as it worked with our schedule.  It did not disappoint!  

We were met bright and early in the lobby of our hotel by the shuttle who picked up all of the travelers and brought them all to the main station in Rome where we met our gracious host, Stefano and boarded the air-conditioned tour bus along with our fellow guests.   Stefano is an incredible tour guide.  He spoke no fewer than five languages and was very eager to share stories of his homeland in a way that not only enhanced the journey, but truly made it a pleasure.  He made a point to move about the bus and speak with each group of people individually, changing easily from German to Portugese to English.  The 2.5 hour drive across the Tiber Valley to the quaint town of Cortona was ripe with swaying fields of sunflowers and rows of olive trees.  It seemed that we passed one wall-encased hill-top town after another until we finally came to rest at the base of Cortona.  Cortona, for those of you who don't know, was one of the scenes of the film "Under the Tuscan Sun" and is everything one expects to see in Tuscany.  The town is built on a hillside and there are many steps and steep inclines to maneuver as you make your way throughout this lovely town.  We arrived on the day of a local flea market in the main piazza which was absolutely delightful.  On this particular day there was a bit of a breeze, but it was definitely welcomed as we seemed to climb higher and higher.  Every time we turned a corner there was yet another photo op.  The alleyways in Italy are truly works of art ~ nothing at all like we are accustomed to here in Canada.  The aged patinas that grace each and every building, the carved wooden doors and the flower-hugged windows all tug at the passing traveler urging them to photograph this simple beauty to enjoy over and over again at home.  There are lovely shops selling local wares like leather purses for a price that I never saw duplicated anywhere else in Italy.  I purchased a whimsical leather purse trimmed with a tulip-shaped edging for just over 20 Euros ~ an absolute steal!  At the base of the town there is a little shop selling cappucinos, etc where you MUST stop and order an espresso crema.  This comes from a machine at the entrance of the store that resembles a slushee machine.   It is like a very thick espresso milkshake served in a shot-sized cup with a straw.  Very rich....but also very refreshing and delicious.   I would be remiss if I didn't mention that there are actually outdoor escalators at the back entrance of this town for those of you who don't feel up to the climb.  We did not know about this, but having returned home we were quickly advised by good friends who have stayed in Cortona for several years in a row.  They had actually lugged their baggage up these steep cobblestones several years in a row before ever being advised of this ingenious secret!  Apparently since the movie was shot here there has been renewed interest in this area by tourists, so the town accommodated by putting in this handy outdoor escalator for the vertically challenged....

After spending about an hour exploring the nooks and crannies of Cortona, we once again met up with our tour group and boarded the bus to our next stop ~ Montepulciano.  As we passed through the Lake Trasimeno region we stopped briefly to take in the beauty of the lake.  My husband and I spotted a local flea market and we were off!  It's such fun wandering around a local flea market that isn't intended for tourists, but for the locals.  We became so enthralled that we almost didn't hear the bus driver shouting for us as the bus pulled up closer to us, but eventually we snapped back to reality and we boarded the bus slightly embarrassed by the 'shame on you' looks of our fellow passengers.  Not too long after, the bus came to a stop at an adorable farm-style restaurant.  We were treated to a tasting of bruchetta with various spreads that were made on location ~ mushrooms and truffle pate was wonderful.  Here you could purchase various oils, wines and spice mixtures to be used at home in your own pasta creations.  From here we are ushered into a quaint restaurant with several long tables where we were served by a lovely gal with perfect English.  The meal was fabulous.  It started with a lovely homemade cream of mushroom soup, followed by fettucine alfredo with chicken, all washed down with local wines.  Dessert was a limoncello ice and it was just enough to satisfy the sweet tooth and cleanse the palate.  Now that our bellies were full, it was time to head further down the road to Montepulciano ~ home of of the area's finest wineries.

Montepulciano is a gorgeous, medieval town perched atop a mountainside in the fertile Chianti region.  Once we passed through what once was the wall surrounding the town, we quickly exited the bus and headed to the local winery for a scheduled tour.  The tour of the winery is both interesting and tasty!  You will proceed down stairs into the first area which houses large barrels of wine taking their time and enjoying the aging process.  Next you will be brought even further down into the wine cellars to an area that was originally a tomb and even larger Barrels of the treasured Riserva.  This area was once below sea level and you can actually see seashells embedded in the ceilings and walls of the cellar.  If you touch the walls they feel like wet sand.  The minerals in this soil most certainly has aided in the growth of these glorious chianti grapes.  After the tour, we were treated to a tasting in the Trattoria Della Talosa upstairs.  The shopkeeper was friendly, knowledgeable and generous with the samples!  We indulged and purchased a bottle of Nobile Riserva for 19 euros.  I can only say it didn't last long!!  After our tour, we proceeded to explore this lovely town on our own.  This town was one of the film locations for the Twilight Series and the medieval feel of the architecture certainly lends itself to that genre.  Now that we had exhausted not only ourselves, but the space on our cameras and our appetites, it was time to once again board the bus and start our journey back to Rome.  We dozed in and out as we watched the lovely scenery lazily sailing by and the sun starting to lay it's head down in the fields of yellow sunflowers.  Tuscany had stolen a piece of our hearts.  It was everything that we had expected and so much more.  Tomorrow, we take a train from Rome to Civatavecchia to board our cruise ship.  Won't you join us as the adventure really begins?