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Published: July 13th 2014
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Images clockwise from top left:
Leaning Tower of Pisa; the Grand Canal in Venice from a gondola perspective; The Campanile from St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco); Pizza in Florence; Carbonara in Venice I'd never had a cruise on my list of things to experience in life, but I'd been invited by a friend and her family who are patrons of the cruise holiday.
Hearing that we were to visit Naples, Venice, Florence, Pisa and Dubrovnik within seven days, it was an offer I couldn't refuse. We boarded the cruise at Genoa and although we didn't get to see the city, the boat was anchored for a couple of hours for us to admire the back drop; hills a top quaint little houses, like looking down at a Barbie house and wanting to peek through all the nooks and crannies.The experience of being at sea was surreal as you were able to walk along the boutique stores, go to a restaurant, head to the gym. By the end of the holiday it felt like we were in a stepford wife bubble; everyone saying hello recognising each other from the past week and doing the same routine activities on a daily basis, like a little community. When we reached dry land in Tuscany the following day, we had arranged a tour bus to take us to Pisa and Florence. This was the best way to see the Italian sights because the ship was to set sail at 6pm that evening so as the keen mainstream tourist that I am, I was more than happy to be dropped off right outside the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The small dusty streets were lined with market stalls selling keyrings, shot glasses and the like but hoards of people were walking towards the famous landmark as though we were on a charity walk finally reaching the finish line (even though it was only a five minute walk from the drop off). Of course the local sellers must know the times of the bus arrivals as they had their products to sell draped all over their arms "genuine Ray Bans, genuine Gucci bag for the pretty ladies". We had an hour to spend at Pisa and after copious Instagram photoshoots (...leaning on the tower; pushing up the tower; hugging the tower; kissing the tower...) we were back on the coach. Similar to Lanzarote coach tours, although they feel rushed and not at all personal, (ok we're here- one hour- back on- ok we're here- one hour- back on) the cruise experience was merely a taste of Italy and I think that rang true here. Our next stop was Florence. We had a bit longer here to roam the streets although being dropped off at a busy square surrounded by antiquated archaic buildings and restaurants with alfresco dining and authentic houses a top of the restaurants (wooden shutters; iron detailed balconies) we walked around all the cobbled intimate passages until we returned back to the square for a bite to eat. The obvious choice: pizza (when in Italy...) the freshly homemade dish did not disappoint. One thing I was surprised at while we were on board the Ventura cruise ship was the fact that we actually got to sunbathe next to a pool so we got to combine a poolside holiday complemented with a sightseeing one. Not that I wasn't aware there were four pools on deck, but when we spent one whole day at sea, I was pleasantly overwhelmed that we managed to have a leisurely swim with the pool practically empty and sunbathe in the warm climate looking out at the Mediterranean with a cocktail (or two) in hand. The waiters were very alert so look over and next minute you're ordering a Caribbean Cruise cocktail at noon. I should note here that you were given a cruise card so flash the card; sign a receipt and the cocktail is yours. Just don't go back to your room and check your bill on the screen...The following day we were dropped off in Naples. Pathetic fallacy was evident here as the rain fell down and the temperature dropped. Fortunately (unless I'm being bias because the weather wasn't on our side) we didn't find much to see here. That could be due to the fact we only had a couple of hours here and we knew that our familiar, welcoming 'home' was waiting for us whenever we wanted to return. We found the high street full of the usual shops and mannequins standing in place of the floor to ceiling windows. We decided to settle at a small Italian cafe only stopping for drinks here but of course I ordered a latte as I wanted to pursue the local cuisine. Arguably, what better cuisine is there than that of the Italian variety?After a few more walks along the cobbled wet streets, linking each other tightly to squeeze under the umbrella, we were back in our safe haven.
Unfortunately, when we arrived the following day in Dubrovnik, Croatia, the rain continued to pour heavily down like water bombs were being pelted from the sky, banging our heads and soaking us with more water. We left the ship and sat at a cafe in the hope that the rain would go off by the time we left at 5pm later that day. Clinging on to any chance we had, we looked up at the white sky, clustered with heavy clouds, and made an executive decision to head back on the ship. Fortunately, where we had docked, there were prodigious 360 degree views. We decided to go to the on-board fully equipped gym with it's panoramic views so we could continue to soak up the impressive but limited sights. Surrounded by hills and quaint houses, bright orange and green blots, it felt like a scene from a Disney movie set in medieval times.
Our last full day was at Venice. Sailing in was an event in itself. Crowds from the ship gathered on the outside deck with cameras and iPhones in hand ready to snap. The ship gently glided into the town as parallel operatic music gave the journey a rich hedonistic ambience. The impact of the music would build and build until we passed magnificent sites then blend into another song all over again. What you'd usually see from a plane coming into land, however, I felt the warm Mediterranean breeze on my cheeks with no restricted views of the great captivating buildings that clustered the seafront. Once we anchored in Venice, the weather in our favour this time, we walked around the obscure secluded streets and again revelled in Italian cuisine; creamy Spaghetti Carbonara this time. Taking pictures in the San Marco Piazza, I was surprised to find over-friendly pigeons littering the square. I don't know whether in England they are given an warped representation, but some tourists were even letting the rats with wings walk on their arms for a photo opportunity. Of course we took a Gondola ride, they are expensive but as there were five of us, it came to €20 each and was an opportunity we all wanted to indulge in. Small children running for the bridge to wave to old ladies sitting at cafes cheering their cappuccinos to us, it was very atmospheric. Looking left and right, we were closed in by houses with their laundry out and people sitting proud on their balconies. All the common localities felt very rustic and passing other gondolas on the way added to the bustling crowded aura. One last silver service three course meal on deck and the following morning we said Arrivederci to Italia. For sightseeing on land combined with activities on sea (sunbathing, table tennis, gymnasium, beauty spa, swimming pools etc.) a cruise holiday effectuates all your necessities. Just not recommend for the extremely fragile sufferer of light motion sickness.
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