Venice Italy

Docked at Stazzione Maritima pier 107, we had two options outside the port. The first was to get the water taxi and be taken down the main channel into Pizza San Marco which is about a quick 10 minute dash. We decided to walk to the people mover just outside the port. This is an automated monorail which runs back and forth to Piazalle Roma, it takes about 3 minutes and costs 1 euro. From here we jumped on the vaporetto number 1 and paid €6.50 where it wound it's way to the main square of San Marco. This trip also showed us a lot more of Venice.
In the square we entered the Doges Palace, St Marks Basilica, St Marks clock tower and the Procuratie Vecchi.

The Porta Magna at the Venetian Arsenal.

Doges Palace

From here we wandered off down narrow streets over little bridges and came upon various other treasures such as the bridge of Sighs and Rialto bridge.

Bridge of Sighs

We made our way back to the port and on departure the ship was towed by tug down the grand canal past most of the areas we had visited during the day which is another great photographic opportunity.

Dubrovnik Croatia

Today we went back to Croatia to visit the city of Dubrovnik.We docked in the port of Gruz and due to it being a 45 minute walk into town we took a taxi which were conveniently lined up next to the ship. There was a standard charge of 10 euros for the ten minute trip to the walled city.
We walked over the drawbridge and through the main archway known as the Pile Gate, as you walk don the pedestrian promenade you are met with the view of the clock tower at the end of the city. The main arteries house several interesting buildings and monuments such as the Onofrio Fountain, Fransiscan Monastery housing the pharmacy, Sponza Palace, St. Blazes church and Rectors Palace.

Clock Tower

 We spent about an hour and a half wandering around but noticed that entrance to just about everywhere was chargeable, they are certainly trying to capalatize on the tourists.There are lots of cafes and restaurants available within the walls or the Atlas Club Nautika just outside that has views over the water and the gate entrance.

Marina at the rear of the City

The city walls can be walked and extend for 2 kilometers giving wonderful views over the city and the sea.
It is apparent that rebuilding works are still carrying on after the war in 1991 but a fantastic job has been completed so far on many of the buildings.

Corfu Greece

We arrived early and the sun had hardly risen. We found the ship was berthed quite a long way from the port gates. However a free shuttle bus ferried us to the entrance and from there it was about a twenty minute walk along the harbor and into the centre of Corfu.
We passed  by the new fortress perched high on top of the hill and entered the town through the arch of St. George.

Arch of St. George

This leads on to the esplanade which is lined with coffee bars and restaurants. At the northern end is the palace of St.Michael and St. George which houses the colection of Asian porcelains and bronzes along with mosaics and icons. To the east side is the staue of count Schulenberg and then over the canal into the old fortress which now houses the Ionian University.
There are a few other interesting buildings but to be honest I think Corfu is better known for it's beaches rather than historical buildings.

New Fort

Lipari Italy

Another early start and this time we were taken from the ship at anchor in the Marina Lunga harbor to port by tender.We were met by a really picturesque little town.
 From the harbor we climbed the Salita Melingunes and reached the Piazza Mazzini an area that houses the council building and church of Sant Antonio. At the south end of the square, steps lead up to the Acropolis, a castle which also houses the cathederal of San Bartolomeo.

San Bartolomeo

There is a silver statue of San Bartlomeo on the altar and also beautifully painted ceilings. Outside we roamed around the castle walls and photographed the whole of Lipari from the elevated position, showing the  harbor far below and across the rooftops into the mountains in the distance.

Marina and entrance

We meandered back down through the Venetian type streets to the coffee bars below. Here we enjoyed a cappuccino and watched the world go by.

Rome Italy

The eagerly awaited destination of Rome had arrived. The ship docked early in the port of Civitavecchia about 80 kilometers from Rome. There were several options, to go by bus, train or one of the ships excursions. Due to the distance involved and the amount of monuments to see we decided to go with the ships excursion. So we were taken by bus and dropped off at St Peters Basilica, where the guide gave us the run down on it's history. We were then taken inside, which to say was impressive is a bit of an understatement.

St. Peters Basilica

After about an hour we went back to the bus for a guided tour of the city to see a host of monuments of which there are far too many to list here. We were then dropped off by the Trevi Fountain.

Trevi Fountain

Coliseum

We had free time and so wound our way passed the Spanish steps and along one of the best streets for shopping in Rome.The Via Dei Condotti is home to Italy's top designer stores such as Armani, Prada, Versace, Dolce and Gabbana, Gucci and other notable names. With chocolate ice cream in hand we carried on towards Piazzo del Popolo where we collected the bus once more.

We travelled back to the ship and set sail for the last leg of our journey back to Marseille.

Return to Marseille

Up bright and early again off to breakfast and back to our cabin which we had to vacate by 9 a.m. After lounging around and chatting and an early lunch, the port of Marseille began to appear.

We passed dozens of ships anchored helplessly  outside, waiting to come in and deliver their fuel to the refinery but because of the strike they had been waiting there for weeks. It was like passing through an eerie graveyard in the mist.

The disembarkation began which ran very smoothly and soon we arrived by taxi  at our hotel.
Everywhere was littered with rubbish because the refuse collectors were on strike. Riot police were in minibuses ready to diffuse any trouble.

Riot police and rubbish

Marseille is not exactly a safe place to be at any time but now anything could happen. We would be glad to be on the plane back home.

Not exactly the end to our holiday we had anticipated.