Barcelona

WE met up with Doreen and Tom and stopped for a drink. The guys stayed to have a few beers and the girls went shopping. What a shopping center. Really nice stuff. I could do some serious damage here I tell you


We walked through the rain and were drenched. WE met up with Tom and Doreen and stopped for a drink. we left the guys to drink in the cafe and the girls went shopping. What a shoppers paradise. I could do a lot of damage in this city but I am trying to be good (he he) we are here until tomorrow night so I get to spend my birthday in Barcelona we will do the hop on hop off bus tomorrow to see the city. WE have an early morning so will head off to bed now. I think I really really love this city!!!! JoAnne and Dan

Barcelona Spain

We had a leisurly morning as we did not dock in port until 12 Noon. After Breakfast we all went to the Crow's nest lounge to watch the Ship dock. I would not like to be driving this baby and getting it in right!!! Wow! Unfortunaly it was pouring rain but we donned our rain gear and off we went. Shuttle bus to Christopher Columbus Square. Very impressive monument to him. We walked and walked and got soaked to the skin. We stopped at the Cathedral and I went in alone (yes the protestant)

Monte Carlo Monoco

We arrived at 8AM and had to tender into the port. we left the ship around 10. We decided t0 take a bus into France so for 1 Euro we got on a bus and toured the Cote D'Azure the French Rivera It was so dramatic and beautiful. miles of beaches cliffs beautiful villas built into the cliffs over looking the sea. We ended in Nice and toured the city. MaryJo and Jim were with us and we walked all over.. We found a nice sidewalk cafe over looking the ocean and had lunch. After people watching and eating we headed back. Dan is having a ball identifying the various automobiles the people drive over here. It is so different from home. Jim is also a history buff so Dan and Jim talk about the various invasions wars etc while MaryJo and I check out the shops. We had a great scenic ride back to Monoco and then took another bus up to the castle. By then we were pretty tired and headed back to the ship. we had another formal night (dan's absolute favorite dress!!) and a cocktail party at 5PM so off we went to drink and socializing wihth the rest of the group dinner was at 8PM (long time drinking !!) and we just headed back to our room. we are tired tonight. I keep telling Dan it is exhausting spending all this money :)
We are sailing for Barcelona Spain now. WE will dock at 12 Noon very excited I have never been to Spain. we will be there for my birthday. What fun
well ciao for now I will let you know how we do in Spain. Miss everyone and hope you are enjoying this blog. Night JoAnne and Dan

Monte Carlo Monoco

We arrived at 8AM and had to tender into the port. we left the ship around 10. We decided t0 take a bus into France so for 1 Euro we got on a bus and toured the Cote D'Azure the French Rivera

Tuscany!!! Wow

I must admit - I WAS IMPRESSED!! What beautiful countryside. We left the ship at 7AM and were gone for 9 1/2 hours! But it was beautiful. WE headed out to Lucca and toured the walled city. Lucca is a walled city and we walked on top of the ancient walls. Lucca has 100,000 people but only 10,000 of them live within the city walls. Each family has a permit for one car - imagine? Americans would never survive!! We toured the town for 3 hours; stopped for a capucinno and a beer (any guesses on who drank what????) and off we went to a farmhouse where they served us lunch wine beer and lots of food. As I said we are eating and drinking our way through Europe!!! We toured an ancient villa after; we probaby could have done without that but it did have nice gardens. Dan is thrilled; we get our picture taken at least once every 5 minutes. The family made and bottled olive oil so I bought some to bring home. Dan just shakes his head.................. long bus ride back and we sailed for Monte Carlo

Vatican Museum and St Peter's Basilica

We headed out very early on Saturday morning and went to the Vatican. It was mobbed but our guide got us right in and we toured the museum ending with the Sistene Chapel. It was beautiful and the history is simply amazing. No matter how many times I go I am still in awe. Then we headed for the Basilica and once again our guide was great. The church as more crowded than anytime I have been there. Dan didn't say too much but i think he was impressed with the history. We went off to lunch (after a bit of shopping) and then back to the ship. it was a long day but great. Tomorrow Tuscany!!