Wrap-up

Saturday, the next to last day. This is a text only version for two reasons: I’m out of computer time and I need to do a summary of the land and sea tours.

First, I want to list a few of the restaurants we went to. An earlier post included some restaurants we visited. I hope I’m not repeating any, but I might be, so I apologize up front.

Lucca – Trattoria Pizzeria Bar da Gherardo – In the amphitheater plaza.

Rome – Ristochicco – Near Castel Sant’Angelo

Rome – Osteria dell’Anima – Ask to be seated upstairs.

Use Google or Trip Advisor to find them on maps.

Our hotels were:

Venice – San Clemente Palace – Closing November 1^st we were told, but if somebody else opens it, I highly recommend it. Especially if they keep the free shuttle to San Marco.

Florence – Cerretani  Hotel – Perfect location.

Rome – Hotel Palatino – Perfect location.

Cruisetour summary:

I would always do this tour BEFORE the cruise and I would always arrive in the first city at least one day early if you are traveling from the US. The six hour time difference will take one day to get used to. When you arrive in the morning (most flights are overnight), don’t stop. Spend the day normally and immediately get into a regular sleep pattern. After the first day, no problems.

Christina was a very good tour director. She explained everything the first night we all got together and she was always available. The majority of our local guides were good. Giovanni in Rome was exceptional. Tip the guides and bus drivers when possible. A euro or two is typical; give more to the exceptional guides.

Get lost in Venice. Walk around until you have no idea where you are. Then keep walking. Watch for signs high on the sides of buildings at the intersections to find either San Marco or Rialto. Go to Murano. Ride the vaporetto completely around the island. Go to St. Mark’s square at night. Ride a gondola at least once in your life and don’t complain about the cost. Just do it.

Don’t leave Florence without going inside the Santa Croce church. See David (the real one, inside). Listen to the local guide when they are explaining the art and sculptures, even if you aren’t into art and sculpture. Walk over the Ponte Vecchio. Order the bistecca fiorentino, medium.

No matter how many days you are in Rome, it won’t be enough. We’ve been there twice for maybe 3 total days and haven’t seen half of it. Bring a map if you are with Samantha (kidding!). Walk to the top of one of the seven hills to look around. Do the Sistine Chapel every single time you are in Rome, but watch the little incline down at the end while you are looking straight up. Go inside the coliseum and walk up to the upper levels. Be sure to go on a day when there is a 5500 cyclist tour going on. Eat pasta.

You will need a one week cruise to unwind from the cruisetour. But you have a lot of free time on the tour. In fact, we were slightly disappointed that we didn’t do more in Venice. It was just a morning tour of the Doges’ Palace and St. Marks. We wanted more. The other cities were about right.

The cruise:

We liked every stop. In Sicily, go to Mt. Etna and Taormina. DO NOT miss Ephesus. Highlight of the cruise. Crete was surprisingly interesting. Remember to catch the bus where they drop you off. Athens is all about the Acropolis.

Today we are doing the charity Walk for Wishes with the captain. Then we eat. Then we have a backstage tour of the theater (Patty is laughing so loud I can hear her). Then we eat. Then we work on our sunburns (well, mine anyway. Di is Italian and doesn’t burn). Then we eat and hit the casino.

When we get home I will be posting a link to a flickr.com account where you can see all of the several hundred photos I took.

Thank you all for following along. You can email me directly at cycler48@yahoo.com with questions, comments, etc.

Sunday we get to hold puppies. Yea!

Ciao.