I have arranged a private tour here ( and Naples) for Katie and I with RomeCabs and Stefano who was highly recommended on TripAdvisor. I have no doubt from the prompt emails we have already sent back and forth that the praise was and will be warranted . He has provided us with links to purchase tickets for some of the attractions to avoid queues, which this being the height of summer I'm sure they will be long, which is why I felt it would be too rushed with a bus load or ten of fellow cruisers. Here is a part of what we get. I have also booked the private guide for The Vatican. The standard tour we provide in Rome is designed to cover the city major sites in one day. Pick up at the pier at 08:00 AM to finish at 05:30 PM. The driver will meet you right on the pier holding a sign with your last name. We'll drive in a smooth motorway through the country and see the Etruscan Landscapes. It will take approx. one hour and ten minutes to get to Rome.The drive will continue along Ostiense Road and arrive at the Pyramid built for Caius Cestio .At this stage of the tour we will be inside the ancient Roman Wall built by Emperor Aureliano. We will then arrive at the Circus Maximus, the large ancient stadium for chariot races. Behind the stadium you will see the Palatine Hill where the villas and the domus of the emperors were built. At this point you will be able to see the Arch of Constantine and the Colosseum. We will stop here, and you will be able to visit the Colosseum and the Roman Forum on your own if you wish. Following the Colosseum, we will stop at the Piazza Venezia where you will see the Vittorio Emanuele Monument, dedicated to the first king of Italy. Now will be the time to visit the Vatican Museum where you will be able to admire the vast collection of
masterpieces, including the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel. If you want VIP admission(no line if any) please book admission tickets only at the 01:00PM or 02:00PM timeslot If you wish to have a tour guide in the Vatican Museum I can book one.... It will take two hours to visit the Museum,The Sistine Chapel and The Basilica. I strongly suggest you book a guide as the Vatican can be confusing. Our next destination will be the Pantheon, once the temple of all Roman gods, then a church and burial place for kings and artists (Raphael). Trevi fountain will follow. Here you can toss a coin in the fountain to ensure a return visit to Italy. Finally, you can rest and have a seat on the Spanish Steps. Please note that the order in which we will visit the sites may vary pending traffic conditions or other third party act. The tour can be altered to personalize your desires.
No rest as it's on the the next port in Italy Livorno :- Here you can visit Florence or Pisa or both or the Chianti wine regions or whatever you like. Problem is Florence is over 90 mins away and it would be a very quick whirlwind tour, and from what I've been told its best to spend days here (much like most of Italy) . So after much thought I have decided we will do the short trip to Pisa and get the requisite Leaning Tower photo, browse around and after the previous packed 2 days this will be a pleasant change.
No sea days again and straight off to Monte Carlo :- Here we will just do our own thing. Probably download a walking tour to our iPhones and check out how the other half live.
Again no rest between ports and we get to Barcelona :- It is here that we encounter 2 other cruise ships. There is a internet site http://cruisett.com/ships.php, which shows which cruise ships are at what ports throughout the year. Our ship has 1950 passengers who could disembark for a visit, the other 2 ships Carnival Magic has 3652 and Norwegian Epic 4200! This could be a rather crowded town.....but I'm sure they are used to it. Actually looking at the site those 2 ships cross paths at quite a few ports, bad luck for them!. So here for the moment I have decided on a Princess Tour
Rarely is an architect so closely identified with his city as Antoní Gaudí is with Barcelona. On this stunning four-hour tour you will view Gaudí's masterpieces, from the soaring spires of La Sagrada Familia, to the quirky charm of Parc Guell and finally the undulating curves of Casa Batllo.
WHAT YOU VISIT
La Sagrada Familia - Designed in 1883 and unfinished after more than a century, this awe-inspiring building boasts three massive spires yet lacks complete walls and a roof. Your guide describes the church's features including the massive nativity façade, the flamboyant spires and the modern stained glass windows. The Gaudí Museum on the lower level traces the architect's life and achievements.
Parc Guell - Gaudí's signature touches are to be found everywhere in the park, from the whimsical shape of the cast-iron benches and porticoes to the stunning mosaic work. Enjoy free time to stroll about the park.
WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY
Board your motorcoach and drive down Passeig de Gracia, a wide boulevard lined with superb Art Nouveau buildings, passing Casa Batllo en route to La Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell.
SPECIAL NOTES
Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing suited to the day's conditions. Bring a hat and adequate sun protection.
Hurray we get a day at sea before we sadly have only 3 more ports to see before we arrive in Dover for our week in London. Those ports being Casablanca, Lisbon and then Le Harve (Paris).
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