Europe 2011 - Day 13

Main Street

Well we awoke still in Venice and it is neat to be in a place like this for the second day. Yesterday we concentrated on finding the lights and today was a play day.

After breakfast, the first thing that we did was go to the big market. What fun it is riding the boats – their transportation system is really, really good and easy to use.

After spending time in the market we spent about an hour walking from the market across town to get to a boat stop that we wanted to use. In Venice, you cannot walk anywhere in a straight line and it is very easy to get turned around.

Low Bridge on a side street

We were interested in taking a boat to the island of Burano, which is the home of some good restaurants and lace makers. We met two guys on the boat who were cooks from San Francisco and told us about a restaurant on an island farther away and that is where we decided to go.

It took about an hour by boat before we finally arrived at the island of Torcello. The island of Torcello was the first island in this area to be settled; however, it only has 100 people living on it now.

We walked into town, about 15 minutes away, and came to the restaurant Locanda Cipriana. It was first built in 1935 as a wine and oil shop and then a restaurant was added. It was made famous by Earnest Hemmingway and then visited by Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana, Elton John, the President of Italy and a whole host of other famous people. The restaurant has a Michelin star and apparently very famous.

A dump truck

The appetizer was puchitto (sp) and melon and then the main course was s simple homemade pasta with wide noodles and a meat sauce, but there was nothing simple about the meal.

Desert was a cream filled crepe flamed with Contreau.

There is no question that this was the most expensive lunch we have ever had, but it was well worth it as Barb had wanted to go to a really good Italian restaurant and we found it.

After lunch, we took the boat back to Venice, transferred via two other boats and finish shopping for some items we wanted. Then it was back to the ship.

We left just as the sun was setting and the trip out of the harbor of Venice is beautiful and it takes about 45 minutes to get to open water.

Public Transportation

Dinner with our group was enjoyable. The show was just ok and then we went to the casino where Ed had a great streak and Barb broke even.



All in all a great ending to our two days in Venice. While we took a lot of boats, we also walked 8 miles each day!

Tomorrow is a day at sea.

Night for now


Bus Stop





Lunch



Europe 2011 - Day 12

St. Marks Square from the ship as we arrived

Venice – words cannot describe Venice. As you are approaching Venice, you pass by a number of other islands that are in the same location and for all of then there only access is by boat. Then you see Venice and again, words cannot describe it. There are no cars, there are no roads, there are no FedEx trucks - they are FedEx boats! It is all buildings, walkways and waterways, some very big, some very small.

The only problem was that it was very foggy as we entered Venice, but the pictures should still tell you the story of the town.

We were off the ship shortly after it docked at 1:00pm and walked to the people mover and took it to the bus station. The bus station is a boat station.

A bus stop

All of the glass companies were moved off the island of Venice and onto the island of Murano, which is a 10 minute boat trip and that is where we headed first. There are many glass makers and shops on the island and I think that we went into them all and finally found four light fixtures for the kitchen and the hall. What fun that will be having Murano glass lights. They only take 3 days to get our house by UPS so we had them hold shipping until next week so they get home just after we do.

We ate an early dinner in a delightful little café along the canal in Murano and then we took the boat back to Venice.

Part of Venice

We spent the next 4 or 5 hours just walking around Venice and seeing the sights. At about 9pm we decided that we needed something to drink and a bathroom break so we sat at an outside table in St. Marks Square and had two Cokes. One of the biggest mistakes we have ever made as the cost was $28 Euros or $40 US!! Oh well, I had great company, the sodas and chips were good and the music was fun.

Then it was back on the boat to get to the ship. Much to our surprise, the people mover at the port closed by the time we got there and we had to walk about a mile to get to the ship. No one told us and all the other people who arrived when we did and we were not happy about the walk – but Venice the first day was really fun.

Main Street - Murano

Bus ride down a canal

Tomorrow we have all day to enjoy Venice as e do not leave port until 7:00pm.

Night from Venice.

Barb and the shop owner with our new lights



Europe 2011 - Day 11

As we arrived

We arrived at Dubrovnik, Croatia at 10:00am and this city is amazing as it looks like a fairy tale country. The old city is completely surrounded by a very high wall. You can walk around the entire city on top of the wall and we did that last time.

All of the houses are of the same color brick and have the same red tile roofs, it is a beautiful sight.

We spent the morning walking the streets and going into the shops. Then it was time to fine a local restaurant for some lunch.

Lunch

Our lunch was: Grilled eggplant filled with Mozzarella cheese and basil and baked with a light tomato sauce and parmesan cheese. Also we had stuffed zucchini blossoms that were deep fried. Everything was wonderful (Jackie you would be proud of Ed).

Then we went to the waterfront and got a water taxi to Lokrum Island, 10 minutes away because it has a large naturist beach. The beach was rocky rather than sandy and backed onto a grove of pine trees. The lack of sand was more that compensated for by a stunning expanse of water – clear as can be. Actually laying on the huge flat rocks was very comfortable. It was very peaceful as there were probably only 30 people on the entire beach. Ed went swimming it the Adriatic and it was cool but wonderful.

The Beach

Later in the afternoon we took the water taxi back to the city and did some more shopping. Barb bought a beautiful amber ring as she had an open finger to fill.

At about 5:00pm we took the shuttle bus back to the ship, walked around and relaxed until it was time to get ready for dinner.

Dinner tonight was in the Steak House, which is a very upscale, extra cost restaurant; however, we were the guest of the casino so the meal was on Carnival. We invited our new friends from South Africa to go with us and we have a fun couple of hours eating ourselves silly and talking about our different countries, kids, dogs and travels.

Then it was onto the casino where we did very well.

As we entered the city by the water taxi

Tomorrow we sail into Venice at 2:00pm and do not leave until Monday evening. It will be fun visiting Venice again.

Europe 2011 - Day 10

The Volcano

What a great day to wake up to the ship sailing and knowing that we don’t have to get off the ship today. We have been at a dead run since we got on the ship at Barcelona; but, that is what you do!

We were up on the adult Serenity deck early to get our deck chairs and stayed out until Noon.  Just before lunch we passed by the active volcano on the island of Stromboli which was quite a site.  Today, there were no eruptions.  Then we came in and showered off the oil and went to lunch.

After lunch we attempted to qualify for the slot tournament and this time, Ed was lucky enough to make the finals. We then played a session in the casino before the slot finals.

The slot finals is a 5 minute contest between the top 10 people and unfortunately, Ed came in second this time. That is two seconds in two day – first is $500 and second is a Carnival hat. Oh well, there is one more blackjack and one more slot tournament left. 

To the top deck





We picked up our pictures from yesterday and decided to rest before getting ready for formal night.

We dressed and went down early for formal night and watched people – what fun.

Dinner on formal night is always great, Barb had lobster and I had prime rib. Then it was off to the show to see a really good song and dance show.

Finally to the casino where we did well and off to bed.

Tomorrow – Dubrovnik, Croatia.



Slot Tournament



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



In the casino on formal night








Europe 2011 - Day 9



The Franciscan's Leather School

We docked at Livorno, Italy which is the gateway to Florence and Pisa.

We knew how to get to the local train station by taking the Carnival shuttle to the center of the town and then a local bus to the train station. So we were out of the cabin early and on the 9:28am train to Florence, skipping Pisa. It took the train about 1 ½ hours to get there.

Our round trip cost for the train was $33 dollars total and Carnival charged $180 per couple to take their bus to Florence and return. The only danger in using local transportation is that if you don’t get back to the ship on time, you are on your own to make it to the next port – more about that later.

We met a nice couple and their daughter from Canada on the train trip and shared some fun experiences until they got off at Pisa. Once we got to Florence it was off the train and into a taxi to take us to the Church of Santa Croce, the largest Franciscan church in Europe and also home to a leather-working school taught by the Franciscan Priests.



Barb's scarf is here



We found the school in the back of the church and wow was their workmanship fantastic - as were their prices. But it was fun to visit this school.

We ate lunch in a little café and then spend the rest of our time in Florence in the big open air markets that specialized in leather goods and scarves. Florence is the leather capital of Europe as far as leather clothing is concerned and we had a lot of fun and bought some “needed” items.

It took us longer than expected to get a taxi to the train station and we were within 50 yards from our train as it was pulling out. The next train was to leave at 3:48pm which would still put us back in the port in time to make the ship, but not with a lot of time to spare.



Buying a purse

As we were waiting for the train to leave, the conductor came by and told us that things had changed and we had 6 minutes to get to another train, which would take us to Pisa and then we would have to transfer to another train to get to the port. There were about 30 from the ship altogether when we got off the train at Pisa at 5:15pm and waited for the next train. We were supposed to board the ship by 6:00pm and the ship would pull out at 6:30pm. We arrived at the port train station at 5:50pm and jumped into the only cab around. We made it to the ship at 6:03pm!! That was way too close.

Dinner was with our new table and we are enjoying everyone.

After dinner, Ed qualified for the blackjack tournament; however, in the finals he did not win. He was in second place going into the last round and his last hand if he would have gotten one of 68% of the cards, he would have won – but he didn’t. Maybe next time.



The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fore

We had a very long day today so we decided not to play in the casino but make it an early night.

Tomorrow is a sea day, a slot tournament and the first formal night – life is good in paradise.

Don't forget you can click on any picture to make it bigger.  Night for now.

Sunset from our deck

Europe 2011 - Day 8



On the train to Rome

Rome – we docked at 9:00am at the port of Civitavecchia, which is a little more that an hour train ride from Rome.

We took the shuttle bus from the ship to the end of the pier and walked about 4 blocks to the local train station where we boarded a train to Rome. It is always fun using local transportation and reading all of the names and directions. We have been this way before so it wasn’t really a problem and, it is a lot cheaper than using Carnival’s transporation.

Carnival had a bus to town where they simply dropped you off in the city and picked you up 10 hours later to take you back to the ship. Carnival charged $80.00 and we only paid $13.00 for our train ride which included unlimited subway usage. Not a bad saving and we didn’t have to wait for anyone.

Shopping

In Rome, we first took a subway to the largest flea market in the city – a huge area in the south of the city that is open every day from 7am – 1pm and then they all clean out and the street opens.

Barb bought some things and Ed bought some shirts. Then it was back on the subway to see their WWII memorial which is next to the Coliseum and the ruins of the old city. The Memorial has an elevator to the top and it is about 14 stories up with a great view of the city.

Then we took a taxi to the Trevi Fountain where we threw coins in for luck in returning to Rome. The first time we visited Rome we did this with no intention of coming back and we have now been here four times!

The Coliseum

Next was pizza for lunch and a trip to St. Peters; however, when we got there the Pope has just finished an open air mass and the place was jammed with people. So, we walked around the shopping area between the Vatican and the subway stop and finally headed back to the train station for the ride back to the port.

We moved to a new table with our new friends that we met last night and had a great time with our new tablemates. We now are at a round table for 10 and we all seem to enjoy each others company – dinners will be fun.

No show tonight so just the casino and then on to an early bed as we arrive at the port leading to Florence tomorrow.

We'll be back!!

Night

Snack time

Europe 2011 - Day 7

Lunch

Instead of Naples and Capri we stopped at Marseilles, France and we know that it is not Carnival’s fault, but it was not a very good trade. Marseilles is the second largest city in France and also a very, very industrialized city. The port is not made for the tourist trade as we had to take a shuttle bus 25 minutes from the port to the center of the old city.

The city was pretty, but really not very much to see. They also do not have any real beaches.



The Prison

We did hop on one of the little trains like we did in Monaco and took a tour of the city and it did also take us to the top of the mountain to see Notre Dame De La Garde Cathedral, which was impressive and the view was wonderful of the entire port.

We then had lunch at a little sidewalk restaurant in the center of the town and took the shuttle back to the ship.

By then it was time to get some more sun, which we did for about an hour and a half.

The Salmon - 6th course

As we left Marseilles, the ship passed very close to the tiny island that was a prison in olden times and where the Count of Monte Crisco was held capture. It was also where they filmed The Man in the Iron Mask.

Then it was time to clean up and go look at pictures that had been taken last night. We picked out, as usual, one picture to keep.

We had signed up for the Chef’s Table Experience and we met the head chef at 6:30pm in the Piano Bar to meet the head chef. We found out from him that Carnival has 30 head chefs for 23 ships. They basically work 9 months and then have 3 off. He was very impressive and we enjoyed his presentations.

Desert

We started out with campaign and to different canapés. Then it was down to the kitchen for the actual meal. We had a long table for 12 actually set up in the kitchen. The dinner was an 8 course dinner and had been prepared by 20 chefs during the day and evening. It was a wonderful meal.

The 6th course was Salmon with herb pesto, cured tomatoes, carrots, fava, mushroom earth and condensed beets. The 7th course was “Wagyu” consisting of slow stewed short ribs, potato pebbles, pumpkin fudge and tomato dust. No I am not making this up and yes Ed ate it all!!

The Chef's Table

The dinner was truly spectacular, just like it was on our last Carnival cruise.

We also met a couple from South Africa and it looks like we will join them at their table starting tomorrow evening. We sat with them at dinner tonight (they are on the end) and they are really nice. Our current table has not been that much fun and this couple, Ian and Sam seem to be very enjoyable.

The show tonight was “Destination: Unknown!” and they called it a night of extraordinary illusions and the magician was really good.

On to the casino, where we did well and then to bed.

Tomorrow - Rome