Anyhow, there wasn't anything interesting in Cannes to see, so we opted for the side excursion to Nice. We'll drive along the Promenade des Anglais, a lovely palm lined boulevard stretching three miles along the Baie des Anges. We'll pass landmarks such as the legendary Negresco, an imposing hotel with a Rococo façade.
Upon arrival in old Nice, enjoy your walk along Cours Saleya, an elegant promenade lined with shops, restaurants and home to the famous flower market that’s held here. Your drive continues passing the Regina Hotel to Cimiez Hill, an upscale area with many large villas. You’ll pass the Franciscan Monastery, gardens and Roman arenas, before joining the highway back to Cannes.
Nice is one of two short days for us. We're only out and about for 4.5 hours. It'll be nice to rest up that afternoon.
This will be a fun stop for us. Janet's never been to Italy
in general and her first steps into Italy will be Florence and the Leaning
Tower. What a way to start your Italian adventure.
In Florence we'll get a short tour of the city seeing places
like the Cathedral (Duomo) of Santa Maria del Fiore, its elaborate Gothic
façade is covered in a mix of pink and green marble, the statues in the Piazza
della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio (the medieval stone bridge was the first bridge
built across the River Arno, and has been well known for its goldsmiths and
jewelers since the 16th century.)
Lunch is included and then we'll have some free time to
explore. First on my list is to find a Wine Window. Wine windows
Florence: https://www.theintrepidguide.com/wine-windows-in-florence/
Once we're done in Florence we head to Pisa to see the
Leaning tower. This will be my third time seeing it and I'm sure I'll still
stand there and marvel at it.
May 22
Rome is one of my favorite cities of all. It's big, bold,
dirty and full of history. We'll do a bus tour of the city and at some point
get off for a short walking tour. We'll see the Trevi fountain, the Spanish
Stairs and a few other iconic locations. I'll be sure to toss another coin in
the Trevi fountain so I can come back to Rome again.
The saddest part of this tour is we had originally planned to go inside the Colosseum. Something happened and our tour got changed
to not include going inside. Which is a BIG bummer because that is one of the
most historical and amazing sights in Rome. They swapped that visit out with
the Spanish Steps. Big whoop. The Spanish Steps is like swapping the prime rib
your ordered for a burger.
We'll take a boat to Marina
Grande in Capri, a port lined with colorful old fishermen’s houses. A funicular
will take you up to a terrace with a marvelous scenic overlook of the small
island, the coast and the sparkling sea. Walk to the piazzetta, the heart of
Capri’s shopping and nightlife area. Explore the narrow streets, take in the
magnificent views, or relax at an outdoor cafe. You’ll then continue to
Sorrento by jet-foil where lunch awaits.
Then we head to Pompeii! I can't even ... Pompeii has fascinated me for years. I've been there twice before and I guarantee you this time will be just as exciting.
We'll be exploring two medieval villages on craggy hills
overlooking the sea, each setting with its own personality. This will be a
first for me, so here's the description from the NCL website.
After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a scenic
drive south to Taormina, an ancient city that rises almost perpendicularly from
the sea. It’s a beautiful setting with an alluring medieval character, as you
will discover while strolling its narrow, cobblestone streets.
Among the highlights are the Arabian-influenced Palazzo
Corvaja and the ruins of a 2nd-century Greek theater. It sits on a seaside
hilltop with a view of Mount Etna that is so inspiring that it can detract from
the entertainers that still perform there in the summer.
After visiting, you will enjoy free time to explore on
your own, taking in the views from the fragrant public garden or shopping along
boutique-lined Corso Umberto. The most popular merchandise includes designer
fashions, jewelry and colorful ceramic pine cones, a Sicilian symbol of
hospitality.
A bit farther inland and above Taormina, you will find
the village of Castelmola, which arguably boasts even better views. Although
first fortified in the 9th century, Castelmola was repeatedly attacked and the
ruins of the castle that remain are from the 16th century.
Like Taormina, Castelmola is wonderfully atmospheric with cobblestone streets and lovely squares flanked by small shops. Still, it’s the breathtaking views that will linger long in your memory. Before returning to the pier, you will enjoy a traditional Sicilian lunch and perhaps a glass of almond-flavored wine, the local specialty.
This will be a first for me, so here's the description from
the NCL website.
Experience Corfu’s most beautiful and renowned landmarks
in a small group. You’ll drive in a minibus through the countryside dotted with
lemon and olive trees, to reach at the most photographed spot of the Island and
you will have a photo stop to capture the famous Mouse Island and the church of
Vlaherena.
Legend of Mouse Island: https://greekreporter.com/2023/06/05/mouse-island-corfu-greece/
After, you will reach the top of Analipsis hill, near
Kanoni area where Mon Repos Palace stands. It was built in 1826 by the British
Commissioner Frederic Adams as a gift to his Corfiot wife, Nina Palatianou. It
is a charming palace with colonial architectural elements. You’ll stop at
Paleokastritsa, not only one of the most beautiful spots on the island but also
a vantage point for splendid views of the multiple bays. Legend says that
Odysseus met Nausica after he washed ashore on one of these bays and enjoy some
free time.
This will be followed by a typical lunch at a local
restaurant in Paleokastritsa. Your tour continues to Esplanade, the main square
of the town, for a walk through the picturesque streets of the Old Town to see
some of the historical sites.
This will be a first for me, so here's the description
from the NCL website.
Take advantage of this rare opportunity to visit two
UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the same day. You'll discover the treasures of
Trogir and see how the Romans influenced the old city of Split. The medieval
city of Trogir boasts architectural treasures of beautiful stone houses,
palaces, churches, monasteries, towers and walls. The entire town is like an
open-air museum, so just strolling through its narrow streets is an
unforgettable experience.
You’ll visit the main attraction in Trogir, the Cathedral
of St. Lawrence which is probably the finest example of Sacral architecture in
Croatia. The unusual construction with three naves and three apses dominates
the entire town. The main portal carved by local artist, Radovan, in the 13th
century is world famous. You’ll also see the Town Loggia, Town Hall, Cipiko
Palace and have some free time to explore on your own.
The old town of Split is built on and around the massive
palace built by Roman emperor Diocletian. It represents the most important
example of Roman architecture on the Adriatic. Your walking tour starts in the
cellars which are very well preserved. You’ll see the Cathedral of St. Duje,
considered to be one the oldest Catholic cathedrals in the world that still
retains use of its original structure. You’ll also see the Golden Gate, the
Silver Gate and the Peristyle Square from the outside.
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