Blogs from Civitavecchia, Lazio, Italy, Europe - page 3

Docked early Civitavecchia 6.45a.m.. Every day we have different little challenges, like the blind leading the blind sometimes but we always manage to end up where we are supposed to. Up early and first 10 or so off the boat, had to be shuttled out of the port, about 2kms, huge port with about 5 cruise ships in port, the Med seems to be full of cruise ships. Then a 1km walk to the train station, 7.34 train to Rome, we decided to train it here as a long way into Rome, took over an hour by train. The time went very quickly as it was a lovely landscape along the way with lots of full bloom sunflowers, vineyards, market gardens and animals. We decided to get off at San Pietro (for St Peters Square) which ... read more

After a very comfortable night in the Comfort Inn I have decided the name of the hotel only tells half the story! They should rename the hotel the 'Comfort but sometimes noisy especially if we let families with small children who let them run riot along the corridors stay here'hotel It was raining when we left London. That is a given. I can't remember a holiday that hasn't started damply. The weather upon our arrival in Genoa was very pleasant but that was only a blip. We woke up about 8am to what I'd hoped were only locals throwing stones against the shutters of our widow. That, I could handle (I'd just throw stuff back at them!) However, to our dismay, when we drew back the shutters, the rat-tat-tatting was not the expected volley of youth ... read more

Geo: 42.0912, 11.7968Thursday we left Castiglione behind after a pleasant sojourn. We first headed to Montepulciano,a lovely hilltop walled city I had visited in 2004 and wanted to show Fletcher. It was only about 15kms to drive and we arrived there about 9-30. The narrow streets wind around and up to the Piazza Grande at the top of the hill. This was a test for both of us but we enjoyed the initial stages looking at the small shops filled with Tuscan souvenirs and the wonderful produce from this area including the very good wine. The final climb, though, puffed us both but Fletcher's knees held out .The Piazza is large and flanked by impressive buildings, The Town Hall, a Museum and, of course, a beautiful church. There is also a decorative well in one section. ... read more

Geo: 42.0912, 11.7968September 27, 2009 ~ At SeaIt's around 2:30 in the morning, Mediterranean time (or something like that), as I write this. I am in our cabin feeling the ocean breeze hit me, listening to the waves lap the side of the boat and hubby is on the balcony with the light on, reading. We love the ship. It is beautiful and very ornate. The room is awesome, too ~ we have a regular room with a king bed and a balcony and we are pleased as punch! So, to backup…We started embarkation day around 7am at our hotel which provided free breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Apparently, as far as European hotels go, we had a very nice hotel ~ marble walls, slick hardwood floors, and of course, a bidet in the bathroom - ... read more

Rome experienced a major rain fall in the early morning hours as a cold front came into the area. Some of the group, not yet time adjusted to the local time decided to arise early and make the most of the morning in Rome before we departed to catch the Pacific Princess in Civitavecchia. Rich found a coffee bar across the street from the hotel at the Esquilina Market (similar to Seattle’s Pike Place), with wonderful displays of fresh vegetables, fish and real butchers waiting to custom cut meats for customers. Two tasty cappuccino’s later, the day was off to a great start! The rain stayed away for most of the morning after daylight and a large group decided to visit the Coliseum and the Palatine Hill area. It was only about an eight block walk ... read more