Dimond 5-24-04 Monte Carlo and Livorno

[JanMD]

Friday May 28, Monte Carlo, Monaco. Arrive at 8 a.m.
Weather: Sunny mid 70's

We docked infront of Princess Grace Theatre in the harbor.

9:00-Tour: private: Dreamtours, tour guide Jean Marc lives in France, wonderful, can't say enough about him! Went to Eze, France which is a medieval village narrow steep steps that took you to the top. There is a hotel at the top called Cheverd'or Hotel (no elevator) The views were of the med. There were little cafe along the way up. We got there before the tour bus arrived. Gift shop at the bottom, post cards, etc.

Drove to Villa and the Gardens Ephrussi de Rothschild and entered with 6E. Went through the Villa and then there were 7 gardens to explore that overlooked the Villefranche Harbour. Beautiful view can't describe the property properly. The gardens are something that you don't expect when you go in and overlooking the harbor was very special.

Drove to the outskirts of Monoco and the Palace was on a moutain with a wall around it. Nothing that we ever expected! Drove up to the Palace in a minivan (special pass) and was dropped off at the church that Princess Grace was buried at. At 11:55 was the changing of the guard. The Palace was not open, does not open until June 1, but Prince Rainer was there, the flag was up. There are a total of 56 souvenir shops part of the Palace area!! Walked by the house where Princess Caroline resides in when she comes to visit. Got on the elevator and went down to the garage and drove out and went along the Grand Prix track- street. The race had just finished on Sunday and the grandstands were still up and the Big Board TV was still installed. Jean Marc indicated that on the race day the balcony's along the raceway go for 1,000 bucks p/p. Drove to the Casino and the Business building area and saw the Alps and the Italian mountains. Was back to the ship around 1:30.

Lunch- American Buffet
Got the free bus into the city and dropped you off at Monte Carlo Casino and went in and played the slots. Checked your camera when you walked in at the door. Then walked around the town and window shopped. The tops of the mountains still had clouds on them the entire day- but the sun was out and very comfortable.

Went to the AMEX party at 6:30 and had a very nice time there, met some more people. The ship was small, but you were meeting new people as the cruise went along. Mark Conroy the CEO of Radisson Cruise Line had gotten on the ship. Went up and talked to him. Was delayed in sailing out crew member had to go to the hospital and sailed at 7:00 p.m.

7:30-Dinner- was informal and ate with the Staff Captain- Magnus Schalin very interesting person, had a delightful time at dinner and we all had so much in common. He was a delight to have dinner with. We were the last ones to leave the dinning room at 10:30!


Saturday May 29, Livorno, Italy docked at 7:00 a.m.
Weather was Sunny mid 70's.

Tour: Part of our party went on the tour of Lucca and indicated that the city was in a shape of an egg. They would recommend it.

In May 2001, we had done a full trip into Florence and Pisa, thus we were not going to go back. I stayed on the ship for the day. Walked into Livorno, Italy and no one was in town was helpful and I headed back to the ship. There were major car/motorhome ferries operating at the port. At 10:30, did the Bridge tour, a very interesting tour, not like the other ships I have been on.

12:00 Lunch- Scandinavian Buffet. Went to the pool deck and started to get some sun and Mimi the activities person started to set up the golf chipping Tournament. I played and played very well, and got some tokens. Had fun with that.
Sailed at 7 p.m.

Dinner at 7:30- country club casual.
Show was at 10:15- Back to Broadway was just okay.
Jan

[This message was edited by JanMD on 06-05-04 at 05:00 PM.]

[carole39120]

I enjoyed your review of Monte Carlo and Eze--we were on the bus, so it was a little bit different--We had such a wonderful time that we are already signed up for a Baltic cruise on the Voyager next July--

[JanMD]

Carole,
We are trying to figure out our next trip also. 2 people of our group did the Baltic's 2 years ago on the Marnier and they just loved it. I don't think I would enjoy that one. I think I want to do the Greece to Venice next. Still want to get on the Voyager!!
I just got all my photos from the trip, and it ended up being 270 photos. They are all labled. And yes, Monte Carlo with the driver was the most of the photos!! And of course Portifino. They turned out just beautiful. Perfect trip.
Jan