Mediterranean Cruise - Monaco

MONACO

To visit Monaco, we docked outside of nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer, France, and tendered into port. We had two tours on that day. One early morning Walking Tour of Monaco and an afternoon Exclusive Visit to the Villa Rothschild.

Ship tender pulling into the port at Villefranche-sur-Mer.

The cliffside Oceanographic Museum in Monaco

Statue of Princess Grace (Kelly)

Jardins de Saint Martin Botanical Gardens.

Monaco West Harbor

St. Nicholas Cathedral

Palace of Justice in Montecarlo

Prince's Palace of Monaco, home of the House of Grimaldi

Changing of the Palace Guards

Montecarlo Central Harbor and overlook of the Grand Prix Raceway

Waiting ashore for our next tour.

Public Library in Nice, France, also known as the Blockhead Building

Overlook of Harbor in Nice, France

VILLA ROTHSCHILD 

In the afternoon, we went on an optional paid excursion to this hill-top Villa in the French Riviera. There were only ten in this limited tour group. It was built between 1907 and 1912 by the Baroness Rothschild who lived here until he death in 1934. At which time, she donated her entire estate and all its contents to the Institute of France. It is now open for tours to the public. The proceeds from the tours help to fund preservation and upkeep of this estate. 

Wild Cockatoo greeted us as we approached the Villa.

View of the Mediterranean from the Chateau

Seven Gardens surround the Villa

The Viking Venus Anchored in the Harbor Below the Villa Rothschild

Living Quarters were constructed around a central hall.

After our tour, we had champagne and canapés.

Mediterranean Cruise - Rome & Florence

ROME

Our next stop was to the "Eternal City." We only had one day here; we could have used a week. There is so much to do. We opted for the ten-and half-hour tour called the Highlights of Rome and the Colosseum. We had stops at the Aurelian Walls, Colosseum and the Circus Maximus. After the included lunch, we went on a walking tour starting at the square of Piazza Navona, to admire some of the buildings and fountains of ancient Rome.

The Arch of Constantine, the triumphal arch in the city, built in 315 AD to celebrate Emperor Constantine's victory at the battle of the Milvian Bridge.

The Colosseum in Rome, built in the 1st century.

We walked around the outside while waiting for our timed entry into the Colosseum.

This Colosseum was the most important amphitheater in the Roman World.

This arena could hold 80,000 spectators.

Located below the Colosseum floor is an underground area called the Hypogeum, this was divided into two levels which was comprised of connected corridors, elevators and tunnels that lead into and out of the Colosseum for the gladiators and the beasts.

The remains of The Temple of Venus sit adjacent to the Colosseum.

This temple, designed by Hadrian in 121 AD is the largest and most splendid of Rome's ancient temples.

Our walking tour started by entering The People's Gate through the Aurelian Wall. The wall was built around the city of Rome between 271 and 275 AD and ran for a distance if 12 miles, surrounding about five square miles of Rome.

The Fountain of the Goddess of Rome was designed by Michelangelo in 1536.

Fountain of Neptunes in the Piazza Navona

The Roman Pantheon was built almost two thousand years ago and is still the best-preserved ancient Roman building.

Trevi Fountain, perhaps the most famous fountain in the world.

Trinita Dei Monti (Trinity of the Mountains) at the top of the Spanish Steps

Basilica of St. Mary Major, built in 435 AD

Palace of Justice in Vatican City was the seat of the Supreme Court, built between 1888 and 1910

The day ended as we passed St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, built between 1506 to 1626.

Florence and the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Another all-day tour was to the area of Tuscany, Pisa and Florence. 

PISA

The Leaning Tower of Pisa in the Square of Mircles

Marble-Clad Romanesque Pisa Cathedral.

Baptistery

FLORENCE, ITALY

We took a walking tour through some of the beautiful squares within Florence.

Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore

Giotto's Bell Tower

The exterior of the Cathedral is covered in a decorative mix of pink, white and green marble.

The Tower of Palazzo Vecchio

Ponte Vecchio was built in 1345 and the only bridge across the Arno River that the Germans did not destroy.

HAPPY NEW YEAR