Hi everyone,
Here''s my cruise itinerary: http://www.oceaniacruises.com/T_MainContentPage.aspx?PageUID=50db7c06-3af7-4767-88f2-b9356503e9a7&CruiseUID=b33d69cb-b816-4f6f-8286-6c39070160d9. I''ve chosen the following shore excursions. If you have any pictures of suggestions, please feel free to post them. I know the cruise is not till August, but the next 3 months are going to be awfully busy, so I need some dreamin''!
Spectacular Amalfi Drive and Sorrento
One of Europe''s most awe-inspiring roads, the circuitous Amalfi Drive is a thrill to travel on. You will follow its every twist and turn, as it threads the high, rocky sea cliffs and passes several picturesque villages clinging precariously to the steep coastline. The views of the Italian Riviera and Bay of Naples are breathtaking. This time of the year, the landscape is blanketed in bright-hued flowers, and the coastal air is fresh and tinged with pleasant aromas of the sea. Though you may never want the drive to end, you will soon find Sorrento to be the perfect complement. After a fascinating orientation of the town from your guide, you might enjoy watching the local artists demonstrate how they craft beautiful inlaid wooden objects. In your free time, there are plenty of cafes to enjoy lunch on your own and perhaps a Limoncello, a digestif made locally with lemons and sugar.
Highlights of Bonifacio
A great way to get an overview of charming Bonifacio is by mini-tram, which will take you through the historic Bosco quarter and past the hallowed St. Francis convent. You will also see a strange, but fascinating cemetery dedicated to mariners, in which the mausoleums display a jumble of architectural styles. Following your orientation of Bonifacio by mini-tram, continue on foot through tiny, narrow streets bordered by high granite houses. One of the must-sees in the heart of the historical section is the church of St. Marie Majeure, which bears a mixture of Romanesque and Baroque styles. You will also visit Bonifacio''s old market, which is situated approximately 230 feet above the sea.
Corfu Town and Paleokastritsa
From the port, you will drive northwesterly to reach Paleokastritsa on the West Coast. This is perhaps the most picturesque area on the island with its wooded hills and sheltered bays. A visit is made to the Monastery of Paleokastritsa which was originally founded in 1225. The present building dates from the 18th and 19th century and is a fine example of an arcaded cloister. Its small museum houses an interesting collection of Byzantine icons. On the return journey, a brief stop is made at the area known as Kanoni. This vantage point offers magnificent views over the bay to Mouse Island and the tiny convent of Vlachernae. Our tour ends with a stroll through Corfu Town with its Parisian arcades, Italian architecture, and English cricket square. You may choose to remain in town to further explore on your own or return to the ship.
Dubrovnik and the Croatian Riviera
Begin with a scenic drive through fertile Konavle Valley, stopping for a light snack of local specialties at the Konavoski Dvori restaurant, which is serenely situated in an old mill next to the cascading waters of the Ljuta River. Then it''s on to the enchanting seaside resort of Cavtat. Once a prosperous Greek and Roman colony, it is now more relaxed and quite charming, making it a preferred destination for the area''s many yachtsmen. Enjoy free time here walking along the beautiful seafront promenade, browsing in the shops, and enjoying the view from a seaside café. A picturesque drive returns you to the heart of Dubrovnik, the main street known as the Stradun. So many of the city''s attractions are right here, including several monasteries, and the elegant 16th century Venetian Gothic Sponza Palace, once the city''s customs house and notable for its fine courtyard columns and elaborate stone carvings. Dubrovnik''s famed symbol of freedom, a carved figure of an armored knight, adorns the Orlando Column in a nearby square. At the end of your walking tour, you will have time for shopping, or exploring other sites within the walled city.
Florence on your own
Enjoy a 90-minute air-conditioned coach ride to Florence, and then explore this fascinating city on your own, at your own pace. Before being picked up for the return trip, you will have approximately six hours to discover many of Florence''s most revered treasures. With complete freedom to travel wherever you please, and a detailed map to facilitate your journey, you can easily concentrate on the areas that interest you the most. If you have already been to the famed Duomo, for instance, you might wander through the Uffizi, one of the world''s great art galleries. Another collection of amazing art is on display in the seven museums within the grand Palazzo Pitti, once owned by the Medici family. Don''t miss the Boboli Gardens behind the palace, especially its popular Grotta del Buontalenti near the entrance.
Jewels of Cote d''Azur -- Nice, Eze, Monaco
This comprehensive tour of the French Riviera begins with a drive along the sun-splashed coast to Nice. Named by Greeks after Nike, the goddess of victory, Nice retains its superb medieval charm within the Cours Saleya in the Old Quarter, where the scents of the bustling flower markets waft through the streets. Your next stop, the village of Eze also bears a medieval charm evident in its winding cobblestone streets and location on a rocky peak above the Mediterranean. Once in Monaco, the atmosphere alters dramatically and becomes decidedly elegant. An easy walking tour brings you to the Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium, the Prince''s Palace, and the Monaco Cathedral, the final resting place of Princess Grace. Further exploration reveals the well-known Place du Casino, an architectural treasure since opening in 1878.
Tour to Carcassone
Begin with a scenic drive from Port Vendres to Carcassonne, a fortified town which is well-known around the world. Still occupied by many residents, this medieval city boasts 52 towers and two concentrated walls which form two miles of protection. The Castle, the towers, and the city walls belong to the French state; the remainder of the city is solely administered by the municipality of Carcassonne. Enjoy a guided tour of the old city of Carcassonne. See the Narbonne Gate, the most important architectural feature of this period. The two huge towers form an impressive pointed buttress. View the list, an area between the two city walls. See the various types of military architectures, then proceed to the Basilicia of Saint-Nazaire, "The Jewel of the Old City." See the remains of the Romanesque Cathedral, a barrel-vaulted nave, supported by two side aisles with semi-circular vaults. View the Count''s Castle, built in the 12th century by the Trencavels, Viscounts of Carcassonne. Enjoy free time for lunch on your own and to stroll through the narrow streets of the walled city before returning to the ship.
Portofino and Santa Magherita
The first half of this enchanting tour is on foot, starting from Portofino''s main square. You will ascend through the narrow streets, passing by beautiful villas, most of them accented with lush, tropical gardens and Mediterranean olive trees. This is a popular, extremely scenic walk, and there are several attractions along the way, the first being the church of St. George, built on the site of an ancient sanctuary. A bit further up the hill are Brown Castle and the Faro, Portofino''s lighthouse. The tour''s second half is devoted to palm-dotted Santa Margherita, which you will reach by local motorboat. After visiting the Baroque church of Signora della Rosa, you will be free to explore Santa Margherita at your leisure. Life revolves around the waterfront and its two seaside squares, so be sure to spend time there.
A Day in Provence
This tour offers a wonderful glimpse of life in Provence by visiting several classic villages. Roussillon is situated on the highest hills between the Coulon Valley and the Vaucluse plateau, and much of its architecture is beautifully colored with earthen tones from the nearby ochre quarry. In contrast, most of the buildings in the village of Gordes are constructed of white stone and rise in picturesque tiers above the Imergue valley on the edge of the Vaucluse plateau. Meandering through its labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets is an absolute joy, as you walk along vaulted passageways, centuries-old arcades and rampart ruins.
Rome on your own
For more independent guests who prefer to make their own way around The Eternal City, this tour provides the ideal opportunity. During the transfer by private motor coach, a tour escort will be aboard to answer any questions you may have regarding the best places to sightsee or shop. The coach will drop you off in the city center, near two landmarks-the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. Your return transfer to the ship departs from the same convenient location.
A Cruise to Capri
A short, but scenic cruise on a jetfoil across the Bay of Naples, followed by motorcoach ride, brings you to the lovely hilltop village of Anacapri on the chic Isle of Capri. Here, you may choose to ride a chairlift up to Monte Solaro for a breathtaking view of the bay. As an alternative, you may join the guide for a tour of the famed Villa San Michele. This wonderful old house, surrounded by fragrant gardens, belonged to the Swedish doctor and author, Axel Munthe, who wrote a popular book about its history. The existing home was built on the ruins of a Roman emperor''s villa. Now a museum, Villa San Michele is filled with collections of paintings, furniture and ancient Roman artifacts. During your free time at the villa, you might stroll the piazzetta, shop, or enjoy lunch.
Secret Corners of Venice and Grand Canal
See the grandeur of Venice by motor launch, cruising down the Grand Canal, which bisects the city. The magnificent palazzi lining the two-mile canal are architectural wonders that have been home to the likes of Wagner and Lord Byron. Upon reaching St. Mark''s Square, you will pass beneath the infamous Bridge of Sighs, which stretches between the Doge''s Palace and the prison, and then you will follow a side canal to another legendary landmark, the Rialto Bridge. It was here that the first bridge over the Grand Canal was built. Continuing on foot, your guide will lead you through the wonderfully narrow streets and compact squares. Along the way, you will see Marco Polo''s house, the immense Gothic Church of Sts. Giovanni and Paolo, and the Campo San Zaccaria with its Gothic and Renaissance-styled church. Upon returning to St. Mark''s Square, you will have some free time for shopping in the designer boutiques or dining in one of the many elegant cafés.
Here''s my cruise itinerary: http://www.oceaniacruises.com/T_MainContentPage.aspx?PageUID=50db7c06-3af7-4767-88f2-b9356503e9a7&CruiseUID=b33d69cb-b816-4f6f-8286-6c39070160d9. I''ve chosen the following shore excursions. If you have any pictures of suggestions, please feel free to post them. I know the cruise is not till August, but the next 3 months are going to be awfully busy, so I need some dreamin''!
Spectacular Amalfi Drive and Sorrento
One of Europe''s most awe-inspiring roads, the circuitous Amalfi Drive is a thrill to travel on. You will follow its every twist and turn, as it threads the high, rocky sea cliffs and passes several picturesque villages clinging precariously to the steep coastline. The views of the Italian Riviera and Bay of Naples are breathtaking. This time of the year, the landscape is blanketed in bright-hued flowers, and the coastal air is fresh and tinged with pleasant aromas of the sea. Though you may never want the drive to end, you will soon find Sorrento to be the perfect complement. After a fascinating orientation of the town from your guide, you might enjoy watching the local artists demonstrate how they craft beautiful inlaid wooden objects. In your free time, there are plenty of cafes to enjoy lunch on your own and perhaps a Limoncello, a digestif made locally with lemons and sugar.
Highlights of Bonifacio
A great way to get an overview of charming Bonifacio is by mini-tram, which will take you through the historic Bosco quarter and past the hallowed St. Francis convent. You will also see a strange, but fascinating cemetery dedicated to mariners, in which the mausoleums display a jumble of architectural styles. Following your orientation of Bonifacio by mini-tram, continue on foot through tiny, narrow streets bordered by high granite houses. One of the must-sees in the heart of the historical section is the church of St. Marie Majeure, which bears a mixture of Romanesque and Baroque styles. You will also visit Bonifacio''s old market, which is situated approximately 230 feet above the sea.
Corfu Town and Paleokastritsa
From the port, you will drive northwesterly to reach Paleokastritsa on the West Coast. This is perhaps the most picturesque area on the island with its wooded hills and sheltered bays. A visit is made to the Monastery of Paleokastritsa which was originally founded in 1225. The present building dates from the 18th and 19th century and is a fine example of an arcaded cloister. Its small museum houses an interesting collection of Byzantine icons. On the return journey, a brief stop is made at the area known as Kanoni. This vantage point offers magnificent views over the bay to Mouse Island and the tiny convent of Vlachernae. Our tour ends with a stroll through Corfu Town with its Parisian arcades, Italian architecture, and English cricket square. You may choose to remain in town to further explore on your own or return to the ship.
Dubrovnik and the Croatian Riviera
Begin with a scenic drive through fertile Konavle Valley, stopping for a light snack of local specialties at the Konavoski Dvori restaurant, which is serenely situated in an old mill next to the cascading waters of the Ljuta River. Then it''s on to the enchanting seaside resort of Cavtat. Once a prosperous Greek and Roman colony, it is now more relaxed and quite charming, making it a preferred destination for the area''s many yachtsmen. Enjoy free time here walking along the beautiful seafront promenade, browsing in the shops, and enjoying the view from a seaside café. A picturesque drive returns you to the heart of Dubrovnik, the main street known as the Stradun. So many of the city''s attractions are right here, including several monasteries, and the elegant 16th century Venetian Gothic Sponza Palace, once the city''s customs house and notable for its fine courtyard columns and elaborate stone carvings. Dubrovnik''s famed symbol of freedom, a carved figure of an armored knight, adorns the Orlando Column in a nearby square. At the end of your walking tour, you will have time for shopping, or exploring other sites within the walled city.
Florence on your own
Enjoy a 90-minute air-conditioned coach ride to Florence, and then explore this fascinating city on your own, at your own pace. Before being picked up for the return trip, you will have approximately six hours to discover many of Florence''s most revered treasures. With complete freedom to travel wherever you please, and a detailed map to facilitate your journey, you can easily concentrate on the areas that interest you the most. If you have already been to the famed Duomo, for instance, you might wander through the Uffizi, one of the world''s great art galleries. Another collection of amazing art is on display in the seven museums within the grand Palazzo Pitti, once owned by the Medici family. Don''t miss the Boboli Gardens behind the palace, especially its popular Grotta del Buontalenti near the entrance.
Jewels of Cote d''Azur -- Nice, Eze, Monaco
This comprehensive tour of the French Riviera begins with a drive along the sun-splashed coast to Nice. Named by Greeks after Nike, the goddess of victory, Nice retains its superb medieval charm within the Cours Saleya in the Old Quarter, where the scents of the bustling flower markets waft through the streets. Your next stop, the village of Eze also bears a medieval charm evident in its winding cobblestone streets and location on a rocky peak above the Mediterranean. Once in Monaco, the atmosphere alters dramatically and becomes decidedly elegant. An easy walking tour brings you to the Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium, the Prince''s Palace, and the Monaco Cathedral, the final resting place of Princess Grace. Further exploration reveals the well-known Place du Casino, an architectural treasure since opening in 1878.
Tour to Carcassone
Begin with a scenic drive from Port Vendres to Carcassonne, a fortified town which is well-known around the world. Still occupied by many residents, this medieval city boasts 52 towers and two concentrated walls which form two miles of protection. The Castle, the towers, and the city walls belong to the French state; the remainder of the city is solely administered by the municipality of Carcassonne. Enjoy a guided tour of the old city of Carcassonne. See the Narbonne Gate, the most important architectural feature of this period. The two huge towers form an impressive pointed buttress. View the list, an area between the two city walls. See the various types of military architectures, then proceed to the Basilicia of Saint-Nazaire, "The Jewel of the Old City." See the remains of the Romanesque Cathedral, a barrel-vaulted nave, supported by two side aisles with semi-circular vaults. View the Count''s Castle, built in the 12th century by the Trencavels, Viscounts of Carcassonne. Enjoy free time for lunch on your own and to stroll through the narrow streets of the walled city before returning to the ship.
Portofino and Santa Magherita
The first half of this enchanting tour is on foot, starting from Portofino''s main square. You will ascend through the narrow streets, passing by beautiful villas, most of them accented with lush, tropical gardens and Mediterranean olive trees. This is a popular, extremely scenic walk, and there are several attractions along the way, the first being the church of St. George, built on the site of an ancient sanctuary. A bit further up the hill are Brown Castle and the Faro, Portofino''s lighthouse. The tour''s second half is devoted to palm-dotted Santa Margherita, which you will reach by local motorboat. After visiting the Baroque church of Signora della Rosa, you will be free to explore Santa Margherita at your leisure. Life revolves around the waterfront and its two seaside squares, so be sure to spend time there.
A Day in Provence
This tour offers a wonderful glimpse of life in Provence by visiting several classic villages. Roussillon is situated on the highest hills between the Coulon Valley and the Vaucluse plateau, and much of its architecture is beautifully colored with earthen tones from the nearby ochre quarry. In contrast, most of the buildings in the village of Gordes are constructed of white stone and rise in picturesque tiers above the Imergue valley on the edge of the Vaucluse plateau. Meandering through its labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets is an absolute joy, as you walk along vaulted passageways, centuries-old arcades and rampart ruins.
Rome on your own
For more independent guests who prefer to make their own way around The Eternal City, this tour provides the ideal opportunity. During the transfer by private motor coach, a tour escort will be aboard to answer any questions you may have regarding the best places to sightsee or shop. The coach will drop you off in the city center, near two landmarks-the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. Your return transfer to the ship departs from the same convenient location.
A Cruise to Capri
A short, but scenic cruise on a jetfoil across the Bay of Naples, followed by motorcoach ride, brings you to the lovely hilltop village of Anacapri on the chic Isle of Capri. Here, you may choose to ride a chairlift up to Monte Solaro for a breathtaking view of the bay. As an alternative, you may join the guide for a tour of the famed Villa San Michele. This wonderful old house, surrounded by fragrant gardens, belonged to the Swedish doctor and author, Axel Munthe, who wrote a popular book about its history. The existing home was built on the ruins of a Roman emperor''s villa. Now a museum, Villa San Michele is filled with collections of paintings, furniture and ancient Roman artifacts. During your free time at the villa, you might stroll the piazzetta, shop, or enjoy lunch.
Secret Corners of Venice and Grand Canal
See the grandeur of Venice by motor launch, cruising down the Grand Canal, which bisects the city. The magnificent palazzi lining the two-mile canal are architectural wonders that have been home to the likes of Wagner and Lord Byron. Upon reaching St. Mark''s Square, you will pass beneath the infamous Bridge of Sighs, which stretches between the Doge''s Palace and the prison, and then you will follow a side canal to another legendary landmark, the Rialto Bridge. It was here that the first bridge over the Grand Canal was built. Continuing on foot, your guide will lead you through the wonderfully narrow streets and compact squares. Along the way, you will see Marco Polo''s house, the immense Gothic Church of Sts. Giovanni and Paolo, and the Campo San Zaccaria with its Gothic and Renaissance-styled church. Upon returning to St. Mark''s Square, you will have some free time for shopping in the designer boutiques or dining in one of the many elegant cafés.
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