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.