Marseilles, France

We were supposed to dock into Marseilles France but we hit some very strong winds, called Mistral so we had to change our route. We docked into La Seyne Sur Mer and then took a bus to Marseilles where we were still able to go on our tour. Marseilles is the second largest city in France, right behind Paris. We took a Marseilles city tour where we visited Notre-Dame de la Garde, a beautiful Basilica on the top of a mountain with an amazing view of the city.

Notre-Dame de la Garde

Interior of the Basilica

View from the top of the mountain

Next we headed to the old port for the most delicious crepes! Chocolate and Nutella!

Longchamp Palace

After we got back from sightseeing in Marseilles we decided to go rock climbing on the ship. Jeff had been before, but it was my first time. Don't we look sexy in our gear :)

There was a Johnny Rockets on the ship so we had some burgers and watched the sunset.

On the way to our last dinner aboard. We were so sad that cruise was ending but excited to have a few more days in Barcelona to explore. We hope to go on another cruise VERY soon!!

Day Five- Monaco and Monte Carlo

Bonjour, Welcome to France!! I have been to Paris before but the French Riviera was completely different, in a great way. Our boat couldn't pull right up to the port so we docked out in open water and tender boats took us to the shore. From the first view from the ship we were in LOVE! Huge sailboats and yachts, open air markets, street cafes and creperies right along the water and homes built all into the hills. We docked into Villefranche but we decided to take a short 20 minute train ride to visit Monaco and Monte Carlo for the day.

Villefranche

Taking the tender boat into Villefranche

The train we took to Monaco and Monte Carlo

Monaco

Monaco Palace where the Prince still lives

The Monaco High Courts

Monaco Cathedral where Grace Kelly was married to Prince Rainier and where she is also buried

Grace Kelly's Tomb

Monte Carlo Casino

While we were sitting here having crepes we found out some amazing news- Jeff PASSED the Step 1 exam!!!! I am so proud of him. Congratulations!! What a beautiful setting to find out such great news, it made the day even more special.

The view from our table at the Creperie

I surprised Jeff and had them send a Congratulations cake to the table for passing his test. It was so much fun to celebrate and we also shared some cake with the rest of our table. Our first day in France was wonderful, now on to Marseilles.

Pisa & Florence

Pisa is a very small town that really only has the Leaning tower of Pisa and the Cathedral/Duomo. They are all right next to each other in the Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles). It was amazing to stand beneath it, you just keep staring up at it wondering how it hasn't fallen over it.

We had to do the "typical tourist" pose holding up the tower. It was so funny, every single person there was doing the same thing.

Next up we went to Florence. Florence is absolutely beautiful, a lot smaller than Rome and full of fabulous shops and the most delicious gelato EVER. A lot of Michelangelo's works are in Florence, including The David and he is also buried there. Since Florence was our last day in Italy we made sure to eat one last great Italian meal full of Bruschetta, Pasta and wine!!

Palazzo Vecchio: originally a Palace, now the Town Hall of Florence

Copy of Michelangelo's David

Fountain in the middle of the Piazza della Signoria

The Duomo

Detail on the exterior of The Duomo

The painted ceiling on the inside of the dome

Interior of The Duomo

The best Gelato Ever!! Gelateria Grom!!

Basilica Santa Croce

The altar inside the Basilica

Michelangelo's Tomb

Galileo's Tomb

The interior of the Basilica Santa Croce is full of different tombs. They are all over the floors and inside the walls. This is one of the more elaborate facades.