Pics from the Boat

Since we've added entries strictly surrounding the cities that we visited, I thought I'd add some pics from the actual cruise itself. We used Norwegian Cruise line and had a great time - it was a new ship that had only been out to sea a few times, so everything was nice & immaculate. We were sad to go home but recognize that all good things must come to an end:( Goodbye Europe...for now!

We were stupid and forgot to take a good close-up of the ship,
so here is the best we have.
This was taken from a bus while driving to Monoco!

Day 1 before we left port

At the theatre when we enjoyed comedians from The Second City
(famous comedy group from Chicago)

This was taken from our ocean-view dinner on my birthday.
Mt Vesuvius near Pompei, Italy

Sunset after we left Rome

It wouldn't be a proper cruise without a great late-night buffet with
beautiful chocolate sculptures!

Jason enjoying the late-night dessert buffet

Sunset after we left Florence

One of our fancy nights

Day Eight - Barcelona

Though our cruise ended on day seven, we weren't able to fly home Sunday because the flights left way earlier than when we'd be able to get to the airport. So we decided to take a look around Barcelona on Sunday and try to catch up on some sleep. We had a fun time walking down La Rambla, a long street through downtown Barcelona where flower shops, street performers and Spanish bands can be found. We found ourselves visiting yet another cathedral and outside was a rather large street band performing the culture's dance songs. There was a collection of people gathered around in numerous circles dancing to these folk songs (it actually looked like Greek dancing...who knows?!) It was a nice time to unwind from our week, especially considering that going home on Monday we had a 7 hr layover in Frankfort, Germany due to an unexpected mechanical problem. Despite our international traveling troubles, the trip was phenomenal!!

An old palace (Palau Nacional) that overlooks the city

Jason enjoying a view of the city from the Palau Nacional

This city courtyard was 'flocked' with pigeons -
people were literally covered with them if they had food in their hands

Cultural dancing outside the cathedral -
coming from a former Southern Baptist, at least it's not in the church!

Chandeliers inside the cathedral

Day Seven - France

So we have now officially been to the two smallest countries in the world - the Vatican City & Monoco. While we docked at the port at Villefrance, we spent our day in Monoco & a small village up in the mountains called Eze. Both were places that appeared to be out of a storybook. The Grand Prix was a week away in Monoco, but there were old time cars racing out on the track - the sound reverberated through the whole valley and we weren't able to visit Monte Carlo because of closed streets. Eze is a 12th century Medieval village built on the top of a hill that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. The views were gorgeous...we visited a botanical garden at the top of the hill and saw Cannes off in the distance. Yet again, these pictures do not do justice!

View of the bay near Nice

Palace of Monoco - when the flag is high, Prince Albert is home

The gravesite of Princess Grace Kelly

The church near the palace where Grace Kelly & Prince Rainier are buried

The bay of Monoco & race track for the Grand Prix

Jason at the gardens of Eze

The cruise ship in the distance

Narrow cobblestone streets that wind up the hill in Eze

Day Six - Florence

I think I could put up dozens of pictures from this day - it was probably our favorite port. Florence was in a word, 'Italian.' Everything that you could imagine about Italy - the culture, architecture, food, people...it was there. We could have stayed for days, there was so much to see and do that was fascinating. The third largest domed cathedral in the world - Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (the church of Saint Maria of Florence) - was spectacular and was entirely covered in white/green/pink marble. Visitors were allowed to climb up 463 stairs around a spiral staircase to the outside of the dome. The interesting piece of the architecture was that it was built as two layers, one inside the other. There was a few feet separating the two where stairs were built. Once the stairs reached their peak, we could walk out on a small lookout and right above us was a painting covering the entire inside of the dome, representing the Last Judgment. Outside was one of the most jawdropping views we've ever seen - the entire city and valley of Florence. Opposite the church was the baptistry, the doors of which were made of gold and depicted ten scenes from the Old Testament. Although this was simply one of the most humanly exquisite buildings I've ever seen, I wondered to God how funny it is that man has spent years building walls and towers and sanctuaries where He could dwell, when truly the most exquisite place He is present is within us. Perhaps if we spent more time 'building' ourselves than churches, we would experience His glory all the more?

Anyway, I have to tell you about CiCi. She was an American woman we met in front of us in the line to walk up the dome. She was a psychologist from San Francisco, in her 60s, and decided to take a long holiday and live in Florence for 5 weeks. She was gracious to take us to the 'real' place we needed to experience in the city - a trattoria. This is an authentic Italian family-owned restaurant and no one there spoke English! They made all their own pasta, sauces, desserts. The tiramisu was a taste of heaven! I would highly recommend making a trip to Florence if ever in Europe.

The belltower next to the church

Gorgeous marble sculptings & decor

Gold door of the baptistry

Scene of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments

Painting of The Last Judgment

Views from the top of the Dome!

Jason visiting one of the many gelaterias we experienced on our trip

A common sqaure containing numerous marble sculptures -
this was the site of the museum where The David is held

A representation of The David in front of the museum
(Parental discretion advised!)

Day Five - Roman Holiday

Rome was an interesting mix of ridiculously old architecture and ruins and Renaissance structure. To be honest, it was somewhat disconcerting to see such amazing structures smack dab in the middle of a busy city. We'd be walking down a busy sidewalk with cars flying by, and all of a sudden a Roman ruin would be at the street corner. The commonality that the historical sites were given made the experience appear less poignant and rare. However, the thought that Roman architecture was built hundreds of years before Christ was on earth and is still standing was boggling.

One of our favorite memories of the day was finding a quaint Italian cafe down an alley and having our first taste of authentic Italian pizza. Then we happened upon some tiramisu gelato that was to die for! Maybe it's a good thing that American ice cream is second best compared to gelato or I might be in some serious trouble!

The Colosseum from a distance

Inside the Colosseum

Ruins on Palatine Hill

Trevi Fountain

Ok, so the sign says 'Stefanini Couture' but I thought it was close enough!

St. Peter's Cathedral at The Vatican City