Live - Independence Italian Med (7/13-7/27) - European Vacation

[h20skibum]

A couple more views of the city walls, as we left to return to La Spezia. 

 

 

 

 

[h20skibum]

Since our trip to Pisa was in the morning, we were back to the ship for some lunch, then went ashore to explore La Spezia. 

 

For a Friday afternoon, I can’t believe how deserted the city was. 

 

The shuttle bus takes you from the ship to the cruise terminal. From here, we walked the waterfront

 

 

 

We crossed the pedestrian bridge to find a view of the ship

 

 

 

 

They sure love statues here

 

 

 

 

 

[h20skibum]

After a dinner of lasagna and a Chops filet, we were treated to a nice view of the alps, as we sailed from port

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lazydayz]

Great review. Thanks for doing it.  Glad you are enjoying the cruise. 

[h20skibum]

We made a brief stop at the casino, before going to the illusionist show with Jamie Allan

 

We usually take $20 to play with, but for some reason, I only had a $50.  At least I came away with more than my investment 

 

 

I had seen Jamie Allan before, and he put on a fantastic show. 

 

 

 

[h20skibum]

Now, I am only a day behind, but it is soon time to go hike Mt. Vesuvius, so writing about our day in Rome will have to wait till later. 

[h20skibum]

For our day in Rome, we booked the “Imperial Rome and Colosseum Forum Small Group”. It was a 10.5 hour tour, so it gave us 7.5 hours in Rome, with 1.5 hours travel time from the port. 

 

The crowds everywhere were huge, so you want to have as much time as possible. 

 

We started our tour at Vatican City, and got in line to enter St. Peter’s. 

 

Based on the time stamp on the photos, we entered the square to get in line at 9:20, and it took until 10:30 before we got in to the cathedral. 

 

Some photos of the square.

 

 

 

 

 

This is the line, when we are about a 1 hour wait from this point. 

 

 

We took turns dashing out of line for some photos from the center of the square. 

 

 

 

There were signs up, reminding everyone of appropriate dress, and what you could, or could not enter with. 

 

 

Even though they have signs up, not to bring anything that could be a weapon, I was amazed at how many knives they confiscated and threw in the trash. 

[h20skibum]

After finally entering, you are overwhelmed by the scale and the beauty. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[h20skibum]

More photos from St. Peter’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[h20skibum]

After leaving St. Peter’s, it was time to walk back to the bus and travel to our restaurant for lunch. 

 

 

The crowds were still large as we left, and judging by the length of the line now, those people would have at least an hour and a half wait. 

 

 

We passed the Olympic stadium on the way to the restaurant 

 

 

 

Royal Caribbean must have an arrangement with this restaurant, because many of those on tours ended up here. 

 

 

They had tables of six set up, with a bottle of red and a bottle of white wine at each table.  Salad, lasagna, dessert, and coffee was served. 

 

 

Of course, the coffee was tiny😁

 

 

 

 

[h20skibum]

We passed the American embassy on the way to be dropped off.  Our afternoon would be spent walking to other sites.  

 

Our first stop was the Trevi Fountain, where we both threw our coins in. It was about a 20 minute walk from the drop point to the fountain. 

 

 

Looking away from the fountain, everyone is trying to get in for their photo op. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[h20skibum]

A funny thing happened on the way to the forum. (I always wanted to find a way to say that)

 

We stopped for a photo op at the Capitoline Hill museum

 

 

Our guide told us, that when they dedicated this, a group of 20 people had supper in the belly of the horse

 

 

That gives you an idea how big the place is. 

 

 

[loveheart]

Loving your review h20skibum. We have been to Rome several times and love it. Will be there again next June with Vision of the Seas.

[h20skibum]

The forums are usually €16 each to enter, but entry was included with our tour. They were an ancient meeting place in Rome

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[h20skibum]

We also found the spot where Cesare was thought to be cremated 

 

 

 

 

[h20skibum]

The temple of Antoninus and

Faustina. 

 

 

A few more from the forums

 

 

 

 

 

 

[grapau27]

3 hours ago, h20skibum said:

The forums are usually €16 each to enter, but entry was included with our tour. They were an ancient meeting place in Rome

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos and review are excellent.

[Sherman793]

Loving this review! We will be on a Med cruise mid October seeing a lot of these same locations. Thanks for doing this I do not see all that many European reviews.

[h20skibum]

29 minutes ago, Sherman793 said:

Loving this review! We will be on a Med cruise mid October seeing a lot of these same locations. Thanks for doing this I do not see all that many European reviews.

I didn’t see many when I was doing some research for this cruise, so if there are any questions, I will try to answer, based on our experience.  We may not have done the best, or the least expensive, but it was based on what we found that we were comfortable with for our first trip over. 

 

If this review helps anyone in their planning, that’s what we should be here for.  Thanks for reading. 

[tcmagnum]

This review is great!!  Perfect mixture of pictures and commentary.  We just got back from 2 week trip (Paris, Rome, and then a Greek cruise).  Bring back some great memories!!

[h20skibum]

The first glimpse of the Colosseum, after leaving the forum, was when we were led through a construction area. 

 

 

 

Our guide led us around to the entrance for groups.  

 

 

I am not sure what the problem was, but the guide and the people manning the group access to go into the floor of the arena were arguing (in Italian of course), for about five minutes. 

 

Finally, they resolved whatever problem there was, and we entered  the floor area through the main gate. 

 

 

 

 

[h20skibum]

They limit the group time on the floor to ten minutes, so you can explore and take photos. 

 

 

 

 

The area with the white stones is like the box seats area. 

 

 

 

 

 

[h20skibum]

The tour allowed for another 15 minutes to explore the upper rings

 

 

 

 

Then it was time to meet the bus for our return to the port. 

 

 

This was a great tour, and I don’t know how you could see more, with the time available.  It was a long, hot day, and we were glad we packed lots of water. 

 

A screenshot of my Fitbit, after boarding the bus, gives you an idea how much walking is involved. 

 

 

 

 

 

[h20skibum]

This is the only day that our excursion time would get us back after our dinner seating, so it was our chance to try out the WJ.  

 

I would not not want to eat there every night, with all those tempting desserts. 

 

The ice show, Freeze Frame, was the main entertainment for the evening.  Since we just saw it on this ship in January, we found a relaxing lounge, then met our towel animal for the night. 

 

 

 

[h20skibum]

After our long tour day in Rome, what did we pick for our stop in Naples?  Another long walking tour. 

 

We had the Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii hike.  They make a restroom stop at a little place where they hand carve cameos

 

 

We did buy one.  They ask for your passport information for the paperwork.  I have my passport copy on my phone, since ours are always in the ship safe. 

 

Then, the bus continues the drive part way up Mt. Vesuvius, where you hike to the top of the volcano