Saturday through Monday, September 23-25.  I’ve covered most of Rome in my earlier blog (December 2016), so I won’t repeat it here.

We did the Hop-on Hop-off bus again.  It illustrated the reality that the ancient areas of Rome are really close together.  From then on we merely walked to places.  We saw just about all the sights.  Many repeatedly.  The crowning event was going to the top of St. Peters Basilica.  We took the elevator to the top of the nave, then climbed to the top of the dome.  Incredible experience.  Pictures don’t really do it justice.  We’d gotten there early enough to beat most of the crowds, though we still spent an hour in line to enter the Basilica grounds.

Recap: Barcelona and Rome were both everything we’d hoped for.  I think we saw just about everything they had to offer.  Airbnb was terrific.  The cruise was ok, but not Viking-like.  Too many people and too greedy a cruise line.  As a transport from one city to another in style it did its job.  The premium drinks package was a great utility, not only for the drinks but also to simplify the thought process.   The stern stateroom was not worth the added cost.  Our dinner partners were all terrific, as was the wait staff.

Overall, an excellent time.

No, it’s not a toy. No, Yoriko didn’t grow.

On the walkway around the base of the dome. chicken wire, to prevent anything falling hundreds of feet below.

On top of the nave. Gift shop and snack bar.

The front of a statue on top of the nave.

The back of the same statue.

You can see the people.

Vatican grounds. They do offer tours, but not often.

The Vatican Train Station.

Notice the line to enter!

The curve of the dame as you climb it.

Friday, September 22. We combined a city tour with debarkation transport to get to our Airbnb in Rome.  Really good idea.  Others in the bus were fun.  We didn’t really go anywhere we’d gone during our last visit to Rome, but our Vatican Museum tour guide was much much better.  The Sistine Chapel was so very crowded (our last time in it was at night with maybe 150 people).  We learned about the ability to climb the dome, which was added to our plans.

We were clearly better off visiting in December last time.  Every place we visited was packed.  We had lunch at pizza joint near the Trevi Fountain.  Maybe twenty square pans of pizzas: You shout and point at the kind you wanted.  An “ugly” American ignored the crowded, bussling situation and repeatedly asked “what king of pizza is that one!?”  It wasn’t the place to be picky.

Dropping us off proved difficult.  The first couple had a place down some extremely narrow streets that our small bus was not designed to navigate.  They offered to just get out and find it themselves, but the driver refused.  Then our place, which was easy to find but hard to get to with all the one-way streets and no left turn signs.  Our host was there waiting, then led us up a fascinating path to reach the top floor.  Massive door with a small door (key).  Up some stairs to a gate (key).  Up more stairs to a gate which swung towards you on the stairs (key).  Tiny elevator (one person and a suitcase) with stern instructions to NOT open the doors until you hear a click.  More stairs to a door (key) Short walk in the open air to another door (key).  Patio of the apartment.  Door into the rooms (key).  The view made it all worthwhile.

The can says Barcelona. But we’re in Rome!

Our view.

Thursday, September 21.  We paid(!) for the ship’s bus shuttle to Lorenzo’s bus station, transferred to the city bus for the train station, then got on the train to Pisa.  We didn’t want to risk missing the train while figuring out how to pay.  There was a ticket conductor on the train but she barely glanced at us.

Nonstop to Pisa.  About a 30 minute walk to the Tower.  Bought a timed ticket to climb it, then visited the cathedral and gift store.  We also spent 20 minutes in line to check Yoriko’s bag.  No bags in the Tower, plus a pat down.  Friendly but thorough.  Because of the attendance limitation the Tower was really easy to navigate.  Steps were very worn and slippery, not to mention slanted.  View was impressive.  Well worth dedicating the entire day to do the climb.

Afterwards we had lunch outdoors with a fun conversation with some Americans who were doing a self driving tour of Italy.  Envious.  We paid(!) for our return train ride.

Wednesday, September 20.  Anchored at Nice, promptly found and took the train to Monaco.  Actually we anchored one bay away from Nice, so we never saw it.  Train Station was intended for commuters, so it had limited facilities and a faulty automated ticket vending machine.  As long-time train commuters we knew that if we couldn’t buy a ticket when the train arrived, just get on the train anyway.  Many passengers didn’t know.  Crowded train.

We hiked up to the palace before it opened and strolled down the alleys before many shops opened.  A good thing.   Found St. Nicholas Cathedral, where Princess Grace rests.  Bought tickets to the palace and stood in line for only a few minutes before they opened.  As we left we discovered what smart people we are.  Long line!  Nice recorded tour, though a bit overlong regarding the furnishings.  Afterwards we struggle to find the associated Automotive Museum.  Not a bad display, but I’ve seen better.  Lacked a lot of backstory for most of the cars.

Strolled around the town.  Had a small meal in a forgettable restaurant.  Walked through the tunnel featured in the Grand Prix.  Struggled to find the right train platform.  The station is underground with numerous surface entrances.  I tried to buy tickets but couldn’t figure out the machine.  We finally just got on the correct train, again ticketless.  I think we’re done with Monaco.  At least until I win the lottery.

Cathedral

Obligatory photo of the Casino

Tuesday, September 19.  We really enjoyed Cannes.  Pretty place.  Managed to find a stationary shop to buy a Birthday card for Yoriko.  I did my “let’s take the road less traveled” and we had a great lunch down some narrow back alley.  We both ordered wine which we thought would be glasses but were actually half bottles.  Yoriko had a large bowl of mussels.  Heaven!  An English speaking server appeared (after we’d ordered the wine) and directed us to the nearby farmers market.  Excellent time. I think we saw enough though, at least until I win the lottery.

Tenders are a pain.

Cute.

Monday, September 18.  The number of photos disagrees with our assessment of the city.  Pretty bland.  It drizzled though.  The Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica at the top was a climb, but really impressive.  It’s far and away the most visited attraction in the city, with good reason.  It’s a destination for sailors who survived shipwrecks.

In hindsight it wasn’t a bad place to visit.

They do love their football.

Not a wall you want your ship’s picture on. All were lost at sea.

Model ships hanging from the ceiling of the church.

Huh?

Sunday, September 17.   One picture says it all.

Friday and Saturday, September 15/16.  Disco dancing, I guess.  We slept.  Toured the town a little.  Forgettable.

Thursday, September 14.  As we were boarding, the ship was emptying out of a special gay cruise.  The taxi stand line ran for several hundred yards, all guys.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it was unusual.

They didn’t have a card for Yoriko, which delayed our boarding and caused minor problems for the first few days because the newly minted card wasn’t programmed right.  Our room was on the stern, a luxury I’d wanted to try out and won’t repeat.  Not that special.  We were also anticipating hor d’oeuvres each day, which turned out to be a few olives and some cheese.  Overall, the ship left me disappointed, though I can’t put my finger on any one annoyance.  It just felt off.

Our ship is on the left.

Our room is immediately below the flagstaff.

A refrigerated bar top! Frost.

After you buy them, they used 12 cocktail shakers to poor 12 cocktails at once. Very impressive.