Trieste

I left you in the fog on my last post.  This is Trieste.  Looks like a nice spot.  This was all we saw of it since we spent our time in Trieste on board the ship.

We were taken to Trieste where we docked about 3 hours after we were supposed to in Venice.  We were scheduled to get off the ship at noon, but didn't actually set foot on land until 7:30 pm.  And then we had to be bussed to Venice--another 2 and a half hours.  We were dropped at the port only to find the monorail that would take us to the vaporeto stop had ceased running for the night.  We had to take a taxi to the vaporeto and then it was a 30-40 minute ride to our stop at San Marco.  We were really disappointed in the disembarkation in Trieste.  They seemed to be totally disorganized.  (I am being a model of understatement here.)


We got to the hotel at 11 or so, in bed at 11:30.  Of course the room we got this time (we stayed in the same hotel as before the cruise) had the view of the canal!  We made arrangements to get a water taxi to the Piazzale Roma where we got a land taxi to the airport.  It was still foggy so the water taxi didn't want to take us the entire way to the airport. 


Our trip home went according to schedule for the most part and we arrived in Boston only an hour late--but what's an hour compared with the fiasco of the day before.  Nonetheless, it was a long day and we crashed once we arrived at our own, most welcome, abode.


We are happy to be home and have many fine memories of our trip.

Dubrovnik

I wrote this on Nov 20 and am just getting it posted now.

This is the wall surrounding the old city. We walked on top of the wall taking in the views of the city and the sea. Many steps up and down. The day was sunny and warm and very pleasant.

We returned to the ship a bit early so we could take our third tango lesson. We were the only ones to show up so we had a private lesson. We were in one of the bars so had an audience-a bit intimidating.

Woke up this morning, our disembarking day, to thick fog. The port of Venice is closed so they are landing us somewhere else, reports vary. Stay tuned.

At Sea

If we were sailing on Carnival Cruise lines, it would be a 'fun' day at sea. Even though we weren't officially on a fun sea day, we did have fun.

Doug tried out the water slide. I thought the hot tub overlooking the slide was the better choice. We took some tango lessons. We will now be able to dance along with the stars.

Our steward folded the towels into these animals, an elephant, turkey and a turtle? We weren't sure about the middle one.

Grand Bazaar

On to the Grand Bazaar. This was overwhelming--again with just an hour to explore (and not get lost). It is a huge shopping area. We were accosted at every turn with an opportunity to buy leather, jewelry, jeans, Turkish delight candy... And so on.

This was after a demonstration (and sales pitch) at a high-end carpet shop. It was an informative talk, although we had attended one the day before in Izmir. Beautiful rugs, though. We were even tempted, but came to our senses before the credit card came out of our wallet.

Hagia Sophia

Formerly a mosque and a church, it is now a museum. They have recently uncovered Byzantine mosaics under the dome.

After Hagia Sophia, we went to the Topkopi Palace museum. This is a several acre site with many buildings. We had about an hour to explore it all! And it had started to rain. We didn't give it the attention it deserved. Add to that the crowds and the hunger factor, and we were cranky tourists. But despite our short comings, the museum was quite wonderful.

Our lunch was at a hotel that had been a sultan's palace. Views of the water, Turkish food and a belly dancer added to the ambiance.

Blue mosque

This is the dome of the Blue Mosque. We started with a walk through the Hippodrome with its Theodosius Obelisk and Serpentine Column. The obelisk came from Egypt and the column is only partly intake, the other portion having been looted by one of the Italian city states (Venice or Genoa?). There was a lot of looting going on back then, in particular during the Crusades.

The Blue Mosque is still in use as a mosque, but visitors are welcome when not in use for prayers. It is an impressive structure with tiles in a tulip and rose pattern, symbolic of Allah and Mohammed, respectively.

Arriving in Istanbul

This is a view from the ship as we were sailing into port in Istanbul on Thursday. Our day started early with a 7:45 meeting time for our day-long excursion.

Izmir

THis is the port we stopped at in order to visit Ephesus. It is the 3rd largest city in Turkey with a population of about 4 million. Doug refers to the city by its Greek name, Smyrna. His first father-in-law lived there for a time before he emigrated to the US at the age of 14.

Next stop, Istanbul.

Izmir

THis is the port we stopped at in order to visit Ephesus. It is the 3rd largest city in Turkey with a population of about 4 million. Doug refers to the city by its Greek name, Smyrna. His first father-in-law lived there for a time before he emigrated to the US at the age of 14.

Next stop, Istanbul.

Genuine fake

This sign amused us. Many of the carts and stalls pass knock-offs as the real thing. So to have a shop actually say 'Genuine Fake' was refreshingly honest.

We spent the day at Ephesus, a remarkable archeological site. Roman ruins of a prosperous city of 300 BC. I will post photos of the site later. My blog app is not cooperating so I have to take a photo rather than using one from already taken photos. We were on a time schedule so I didn't get a blog photo.

From the town of Katakolon

Shot of the Greek flag, part of the town and the cruise ship.

Tonight is one of the two galas on board ship this week, with Captain's reception. We can have our photo taken with the Captain. Doug is not into the photo opps--not like some people I know. (That would be my life guard friends--Pat, Peg and Cindy. I have thought of you often as we boarded. I have had to show Doug the ropes, being so familiar with them after all our cruises.)

Katakolon

This port's reason for being today is as a stop for cruise ships and the point of departure for tours of Olympia. We walked around the town looking at shops and putting on our best sales resistance faces. It almost worked...

The port was developed in the early 19th century as a shipping center with harbor and railroad.

St Nicholas and his church

Our first stop on our cruise was Bari, Italy. This one of the main churches in the old town of Bari. After Florence and Venice it was a bit underwhelming...

We got to the ship with no problems-Doug's recon Sun am assured our success. We spent the rest of the day acclimating ourselves to the ship, the Costa Favolosa.

Water Taxi Adventures

Saturday. We purchased our 36 hour vaporetto pass and started to ride. After a few false starts we got the hang of it. They operate like buses and subways in that the are routes posted at the stops indicating the direction of travel. Don't get on the vaporetto marked Rialto if you want to go to San Marco. We did a circle route on the number 2 all the way around the fish's mouth (Venice is shaped like a fish) and through the Grand Canal. We didn't see much because of the crowded bus, but our purpose was to see if we could take the vaporetto to the cruise ship port, Stazione Marittima.

It looked as if we could, but our hotel concierge shook his head and gave us another option. Piazza Roma to the monorail. On our way to dinner we did a dry run--and couldn't find the monorail. Doug the Intrepid got up this morning (Sun.) and found it. We could get another taxi, but we already paid for the vaporetto and, in Doug's words, "where's the adventure in that."

In between, we took the vaporetto to Murano and wandered from glass shop to glass shop. Found some treasures.

Today we board the cruise ship. There is internet on board, but it probably costs and so I will be judicious in my time spent on line. So posts may be more sporadic this next week.

Runner on Tank

At regular times a runner mounts the treadmill on top of the tank and by running, makes the tank wheels and treads go around.

Biennale USA pavilion

Here is the upside down tank in front of the US pavilion. It got a lot of press in June when the Biennale opened. I spent a good part of the day at the Giardini and the main pavilions located there. Doug was off on his explorations. We will compare notes later.

Time Stamp!

I just realized as I was reading over my blog posts that the time is off. Since I turned off all my data plan functions, the clock on my phone hasn't reset to local time. Just add 5 hours to the time on the blog to get our time in Italy.

Thursday. View from our hotel

Today we set off for the Frari church across the Grand Canal from our hotel and Piazza San Marco. To get there we did nothing as mundane as cross a bridge. We crossed on a traghetto, a commuter gondola, if you will. They cross the Grand Canal at certain points, and for a Euro (for two), you get a ride on a gondola. Doug is pleased to tell anyone that asks, that he took me on a gondola ride.

We saw a few more Biennale exhibits as we wended our way back to our hotel. A bit of gelato and we were happy (happier). Doug took off to check out the boat to Murano, the island know for glass, and left me to my blog...

St. Mark Cathedral, again

Here is another view of the cathedral taken from across the square. Wed. afternoon we went to the Correr museum which was the other half of our two-for ticket (mandatory) from the Doge's Palace. More paintings early to late Renaissance, plus the archeology museum and library. We strolled the exhibits trying to muster enthusiasm after all the other period art we have seen.

We ate dinner at a Rick Steves recommended restaurant near the Rialto Bridge and fish market. We had fresh fish--a welcome change from pasta. The night before we, against all advice, had a touristic fixed price meal--horrible! Never again.

Basilica

Our official tour of Venice started at San Marco Basilica. Golden mosaics throughout, marble mosaics on the floor in intricate patterns. Alas, no photos allowed. We plan to return to go through at our leisure, rather on the tour schedule.

Our guide brought us through small, little traveled streets and campos to where Marco Polo lived. Our final stop-the Rialto Bridge. Even though we were there yesterday, we explored the fruit and vegetable markets again. This time they were open.

We keep popping into various exhibits connected to the Venice Biennale. One of them was a huge mosaic of decorated eggs in the Ukrainian exhibit displayed in a church we happened by.

Courtyard of the Doge'e Palace

Once we made it into the palace on the walkways, we toured the palace with all its Tintarettos and Veroneses and other major Venetian artists. So much art to see! The prison cells, Bridge of Sighs and weapons were part of the tour as well as a special exhibit of Venice and Egypt.

After this, we did the long walk to the Rialto Bridge and market. And a different long walk back.

Now for some wine and cheese.

Lion of St Mark

In the Piazza San Marco, on top of the column is the Lion of St Mark with San Giorgio Maggiore in the back ground. This morning we left the hotel and realized we were in the midst of an acqua alta. The walkways were up and we made our way along them to the Doge's Palace. Doug referred to the piazza as Lago San Marco. The water was several inches deep.

Venice

We took the train from Florence to Venice on Monday, the 7th, and encountered a one day strike of the vaporetto drivers. After we had waited about 40 minutes, we realized we may not get a water bus, so we started walking. It was quite an adventure. I usually expect to walk and walk with Doug but this was an unexpected 'bonus'. We arrived, finally, got settled, and then went off again. It had started to rain so out came the umbrellas. No pictures with is post since we were either lugging bags or dodging raindrops. Maybe tomorrow. Although, we are a bit concerned since the 'aqua alta' walkways are lined up on the streets. We may be in for some high water.

Piazza Michelangelo

Another view.

Climbing to Piazza Michelangelo

On Sunday, we climbed to the piazza Michelangelo which overlooks the city of Florence. Impressive views. We then went on to the church at the top. It is still a monastery, with the brothers manning the souvenir shop.

We missed the Medici chapel, designed by Michelangelo, because it closed early. Back to our hotel to get ready for our departure for Venice the next day.

My usual internet cafe was closed on Sunday and the substitution was unsatisfactory, since I never was able to get on line.

From our roof top garden

The hotel has a roof top garden and it is quite pleasant to sit outside at night a sip some grappa.

After our wanderings on Saturday we relaxed up there, too.

Our last stop was the Bargello Museum of sculpture. It has several Michelangelo, Donatello and Cellini sculptures. Pottery, carved ivory, small bronzes and coins are also featured.

On our way back to the hotel, we wondered through the Central Market, an indoor market with cheese, meat, wine and vegetables stalls.

Market today

We wondered into this market on Saturday as we were walking to our appointed destinations. It was a fruit, vegetable and handcrafted goods market. A change from the usual. Every where you go you see stalls with the same leather goods, shawls, pottery, t-shirts and other souvenirs. Tourist goods. I succumbed to one or two items.

Our first stop of the day was at San Marco church. It was a Dominican monastery. Fra Angelico was one of the brothers and his paintings and frescoes are everywhere. Another famous brother was Savonarola, the monk who brought down the Medicis, re-established the republic as a theocracy. His room with some artifacts are in the museum.

Piazza del signoria

Friday. This is the main piazza in Florence. A few short steps takes you to the Uffizi Gallery featuring paintings from Medieval to Renaissance. Giotto to Michelangelo and Raphael. This was our first stop.
From there we went to the Santa Croce church and church of Santa Maria Novella. Both impressive, lots of frescoes and paintings. Lots of walking. My legs were tired, but so were my eyes. After a while it is hard to concentrate and differentiate. When Doug asked if I wanted to go to another museum, I refused--I just couldn't take in another image.

We collapsed at the end of the day. (Friday) We couldn't even get ourselves out for dinner. Wine and cheese in the room was all we could manage. But it was good...

Another day another tower

Thursday we took an excursion to Siena and San Gimignano. The first thing we did was to climb the Mangia Torre, another really tall (400 steps) tower next to the city hall in Siena. My poor legs. The views, again, were great. That is another one of Doug's things. If there is a tower to climb, we will climb it.

We explored the city a bit. That involved more hills--my legs were thrumming. Then on to San Gimignano. Another hill town known for its towers. I put my foot down. No more tower climbing. The streets themselves were steep, straining my already tired legs.

We have a list of unvisited sites, but no plan as yet for tomorrow. Maybe we can give our legs a rest. Not likely...

A view of the Arno

After the Duomo, we walked on the other side of the river exploring the less traveled road. (A Doug speciality) The Brancacci Chapel in the Santa Maria del Carmine convent was worth a visit.

Top of the dome

Wednesday. We did the Duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore, the major cathedral in Florence. We toured the cathedral, went to the museum that contains all the statuary removed from the church, both from the nave and the exterior (to preserve it--copies have been installed instead). And then climbed 463 steps to the top of the dome. Magnificent views.

Ponte Vecchio

The old bridge that spans the Arno River has many shops--mostly jewelry--lining it. We have been over it a few times already. It is one of the noted landmarks of Florence.

My internet access is spotty and my app is acting up so I have to work around these minor obstacles. I will get things out, but two or three posts may get posted at once.

Santa Croce

Fourteenth century church with a 19th century facade. It contains the tombs of several famous Florentines. We didn't go in, but we did go to the leather school in the rear.

We will visit again before we go.
We are still finding our way--it is really easy to get turned around. There is one twisty street after another lined with buildings tall enough to block views of landmarks. At one point we were headed to the Duomo and could hear the bells, but couldn't see it. Turns out it was just around the corner.

San Lorenzo

Our first morning we went on a 3 hour walking tour of Florence with our very helpful and knowledgeable guide. We covered some of the same territory as we did on our own the day before, but had a bit more knowledge to go along with the sights.

This is San Lorenzo, both piazza and church. It is the site of the Medici chapels designed by Michelangelo. Also, there is an outdoor market.

Arrive in Florence

Our flight was on time into Rome with a transfer to a flight to Florence. We were bussed to our hotel which is centrally located and near all the major sites in the old city. We didn't get into our room until about 2:30 at which point I took a nap for an hour or so. Then we wondered to the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and sites in-between. Bought some wine, cheese and fruit for dinner. Oh, and some grappa. Above is the Duomo.