Rome

We have a half day before our cruise and day and a half after in Rome. We stay in a small B&B near the Central Termini station and taking it easy catch the main tourist highlights. The Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Colosseum and the Roman Forum.

We also visit the Vatican where we watch Pope Francis give the Sunday Angelus over looking Saint Peter’s Square. Appearing from the window of an apartment he gave a short speech followed by the Angelus, ending with an Apostolic blessing. He also greeted the crowd in various languages representing the many country groups in the square.

Tomorrow we fly to Singapore for two nights before returning home Friday.

 

 

 

Jewel of the Seas

Our cruise has come to an end. We were blessed with fantastic weather, smooth seas and a comfortable ship.

Built in 2003 and refurbished in 2016 the ship carried around 2400 passengers and 850 crew. Passengers were mainly American, then Australian and Canadian. The crew had a heavy complement of Filipinos.

Typical of most cruise ships there was plenty of on board entertainment and great food!

 

 

Katakolon – Ancient Olympia

Athens

Mykonos

 

Santorini

No donkey rides up for the cliff for us!

Cruising we go!

Leaving Rome we take a 7 day cruise around the Greek Isle’s on the Royal Caribbean ship ‘Jewel of the Seas’.

Follow this link to see the cruise destinations.

Provence – Bedoin – Mount Ventoux

Last Sunday we left Stockholm and flew to Nice. Picking up a hire car we travel to the small village of Bedoin for five nights’ relaxation before we move to Rome and join the Greek Island cruise.

On the way we drive into the old town of Aix-en-Provence and Dianne visits the Tapestry Museum. For John it was an interesting time navigating narrow one way streets and closed roads!

The local market is in Bedoin on Mondays so we spend several hours browsing the goodies on display – there was of course some fabric to be bought!

We then drive to the peak of Mount Ventoux, at 1912 metres it is often used as a stage in the Tour de France. It is not the highest or steepest of mountains used in the Tour, but its exposed summit is respected by competitors.

Bedoin seems to attract cyclists of various ages and fitness. We pass many of then climbing the mountain. The rest (MAMIL’s) seem content to hang out at the local cafes.

We also drive though the historic town of Avignon (try finding a petrol station when you really need it!). We do see the Bridge of Avignon, plus about 20 tourist buses, a neat reminder of our quick visit here some four years ago.

From there we visit the Pont du Gard, a nearly 2000 year old Roman aqueduct. Returning to Nice for our Saturday flight to Rome we also visit the historic villages of Gordes and Roussillon.

 

Scandinavia in 14 days

Our Trafalgar Tour has come to an end. We covered a lot of ground in 14 days, three countries, countless fjords and many miles.

Our Tour Director – Mike, and driver – Atilla, did an excellent job. The hotels and food were great, some days were long – lots of ferry crossings, tunnels and steep winding roads. The weather unseasonably hot – only some showers on the first day in Copenhagen. Mike said that we were the first tour group in the five plus years that he has been doing these tours that he has had actually swim in a fjord!

The fellow travellers were fun to be with, mainly North American then Oz, the Philippines, Singapore and one from South Africa. The Age group was balanced, ranging from 14 and the twenties to retirees.

Scandinavia is expensive, interestingly many establishments were cash free, cards were king. We were lucky to be involved in Royal Family celebrations in both Copenhagen and Stockholm. English is very much a second language – no problems there. In fact a lot of local stations showed undubbed shows in English. Intriguingly, a favourite in Sweden are reruns of ‘The Flying Doctors’ TV series from the 80’s.

 

Sweden – Stockholm

Thursday/Friday

We cross the border from Norway to Sweden for the long drive to Stockholm. Over 500km of gently undulating hillside with forests, farm land and lakes.

We spend two full days in Stockholm, visiting the old town in the evening for a group meal. We tour the waterside City Hall, home of the Nobel Prize festivities and view the medieval Storkyrkan, Riddasholm Church and the Royal Palace at the heart of Stockholm’s quaint old town.

We enjoy Lake Malaren, as we sail in an antique steamboat through the archipelago, past country cottages and elegant homes. We also visit the royal warship ‘Vasa’, an ornate 17th-century galleon which sank just minutes after sailing, now reclaimed from the Baltic. At the Drottningholmm Palace, the residence for the Swedish royal family, we watch preparations for the christening of Adrienne, the youngest daughter of Princess Madeleine.

We also visit the ABBA Museum, sadly John failed to make the cut in the audition for the fifth ABBA member.

Friday night we have a farewell dinner as our Trafalgar tour has come to an end.

Saturday

Another glorious day in Scandinavia, with no bags to pack we take a leisurely late breakfast and join a Millennium Tour organised by the Stockholm City Museum. This is based on the book series (the first book being ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’) written by Stieg Larsson. The two hour walking tour covers the main locations used in the books and films.

Sunday we have an early flight to Nice where we will spend five nights for rest and recreation on the slope of Mt Ventoux in Provence, France.