October 28 - Lisbon and Sintra

Fishermen seining on the river as we sailed to Lisbon
The Pena Palace at Sintra
The Plaza of Commerce and Trade with its beautiful government buildings
The 25th of April Bridge with the Statue of Christ overlooking the city of Lisbon
The Monument of the Discoverers commemorating Portugal's many intrepid explorers
The Belem Tower guarding the approach to the city

After a bumpy night as we made the turn around the southwestern coast of the Iberian peninsula to make our way to Lisbon we entered the mouth of the Tejo (Tagus) River for our journey to our next port. Off the port side we saw lots of small fishing boats dragging nets behind. As noon approached we could see the 25^th of April Bridge which spans the river connecting Lisbon to the city of Almada on the southern shore. The bridge is a magnificent suspension structure which people compare to the Golden Gate Bridge because of its similar color. Approaching it is awesome because we had the feeling we couldn’t make it under, but we had at least several feet to spare!

After docking and being cleared for disembarkation we made our way ashore to meet our tour guide Alfredo. When we were all assembled we headed west to Sintra. Along the way he pointed out several sights within Lisbon, including the former home of Portugal’s Viceroy of India when they still had colonies there. The man evidently made a fortune dealing in diamonds and decorated the outside of his home with diamond shaped structures all over the façade.

The drive to Sintra took about 45 minutes. This lovely place is where the royal family of Portugal had atheir asummer palaces. The first summer palace was constructed by a King John for his English wife. She was not accustomed to the heat and humidity of Lisbon, so he decided to build her a place which might more closely resemble where she came from in England. In the mid-19^th century the consort of Queen Maria of Portugal, Ferdinand (a German prince) commissioned the building of the Pena Palace which was our destination today. The Palace sits atop a small mountain and is accessed via a very winding road through a lovely forest. The Palace looks like a fairy-tale castle with its turrets, ramparts, arches and multicolored tile decoration. The last queen of Portugal spent her last night at the Pena Palace before going into exile when the monarchy ended in 1910.

After a short visit we headed down the mountain. Sadly we didn’t stop in the village of Sintra. It is a wonderful traditional Portuguese village with lots of interesting shops. Many are decorated with lovely tiles and many signs are made of copper and brass. We shall have to make a return trip to Lisbon so we can spend some time in the truly charming village.

As we made our way back to the city we stopped briefly close to the Jeronimos Monastery for a traditional Pasteis de Belem. Then it was back to the ship. As we left the dock we had a wonderful view again of the old section of Lisbon including the Commerce Square surrounded by ornate government buildings. The sun was setting and the old city was bathed in a golden light. The church domes seemed luminous as they shone in the twilight below the Castle of St. George at the top of the Hill. The bridge looked even more reddish gold and the setting sun set on the statue of Christ on the far side of the river. It’s a copy of the same statue in the harbor in Rio da Janeiro. A little further down river we passed the Monument to the Discoverers, built and completed in 1940 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Prince Henry the Navigator and the famous Belem Tower. Half a day is not nearly enough to do justice to this jewel of a place.

October 27 - A Day at Sea and Passage through the Straits of Gibraltar

Today we had a much needed sea day. We slept a little later and had a leisurely breakfast. It was a little overcast, but not raining and the temperature was comfortable. Today our course would take us along the coast of Spain to the Straits of Gibraltar around 7 PM. We could catch glimpses of the Spanish coast but nothing in any detail because we were too far offshore.

After a couple of games of scrabble we went back to our cabin to get ready for a wine and cheese party. We had invited some friends over and we had to get set up. Room service delivered glasses, plates, and fruit. We had wine and cheese we had bought in our earlier ports and our friends brought bottles as well as olives, more cheese, iberico and Serrano ham, crackers and biscotti. We had enough wine and food for double the people there! After several hours of good socializing everyone left for their evening dinner plans. I think a good time was had by all.

Shortly after we commenced our transit of the Straits which separate Europe and North Africa. In ancient times they were called the Pillars of Hercules. On our starboard was the Rock of Gibraltar, a British possession and to our port was the Moroccan coast, only barely visible because the captain brought the ship much closer to Gibraltar for the scenic views. We learned a couple of days later when we did the Ultimate Ships Tour that we were actually on autopilot going through the straits, despite the many ships traversing the same waters. We also learned that while the ship’s speed was set at 22 knots we actually made 17 knots because of the strong currents running from the Atlantic side. While it was not a clear day we were still able to get a really good view of “The Rock.”

Following the transit as we entered the Atlantic Ocean we began to feel more significant wave action which continued throughout the night. We are among the lucky ones who are not affected by the motion so we had a lovely day and night.

October 26 - Barcelona

A Vendor at La Boqueria Market

The weather gods decided to favor us today. . We slept a little later this morning since we had no organized tour. After a nice breakfast we took the ship’s shuttle to the World Trade Center. Some friends came along with us and we began our stroll up Las Ramblas. Las Ramblas is the beautiful main avenue in Barcelona. As we walked through the tree-lined middle of the street we passed the mimes and vendors. Some of the mimes are absolutely wonderful!. It was a gorgeous sunny day with the temperature in the high 60’s or low 70’s.

Our first stop was La Boqueria Market. I am so in love with markets! The variety of food available almost provides a sensory overload. How I wish we had such a place at home. We wandered around taking lots of photos and savoring the smells. There were a few things we wanted to buy, but we decided to come back later in the afternoon so that we didn’t have to carry them with us.

We crossed to the other side of the street and headed into the Gothic Quarter, the oldest section of the city. The streets are narrow and winding and lined with little shops and bars and restaurants. We found our way to the Cathedral of Barcelona (not the Sagrada Familia). The building is an old Gothic one. In front of the main entrance is a portion of the original Roman wall. In fact some of the structures sit on remains of the original Roman settlement. There was a long line to go in the cathedral so we decided to forego that and wander some more before heading to our favorite tapas restaurant. Along the way we encountered a street performer making huge bubbles. They were quite beautiful. The restaurant, Taller de Tapas, is in a small square next to another little church. We got a table outside and proceeded to feast on a variety of tapas dishes. Most of you probably know what tapas are, but for those who don ‘t they are literally “small plates.” You order several and share so everyone has a taste of a variety of things. We had shrimp, squid, mussels, iberico ham, dried beef, and fried shaved artichokes among other things. As we ate an accordion player appeared and began playing some typical songs. It was interesting to watch him. He kept looking all around as he played and one moment we saw him and the next it was as if the pavement had swallowed him up. Two policemen came strolling through the square and we realized then the musician was keeping a sharp eye out for them. As soon as they had passed he reappeared as if by magic and continued playing.

After a nice lunch we headed back to the market. We bought some cheese and torrone (almond candy). Then it was time to make the leisurely stroll down the street to the shuttle pick-up point. Barcelona is a wonderful city. I think it’s probably my favorite of those we have visited on the cruise so far.

A bridge between the Bishop's residence and the Cathedral
The Back of the old Gothic Cathedral
A Street Artist making lovely, sparkling bubbles

October 25 - Cannes

St. Paul de Vence from the road leading to the town

A glass blower in Biot

Not many photos today. It was dark, gloomy and very wet so we tried to spare our cameras.

This morning we arrived at 7 AM at our station for the port of Cannes. It was dark (sunrise was at 8:00 AM), raining and windy. Because we were sheltered from the wind the ship was able to commence tender operations and we were on the first one to go. With our friends we had booked a private tour with Sylvie di Cristo. Once she arrived we set out for our rainy day visit to Provence and the Cote D’Azur.

On the drive through Cannes we passed the classic hotels which have been settings for many movies and the designer shops lining the street. As we made our way to Antibes along the coast road we could see the waves crashing on the beach and blowing over the seawall. We were hopeful that the wind wouldn’t pick up too much where the ship was anchored. If it did, the captain might suspend tender operations and we’d find ourselves ashore for longer than expected.

In Antibes we had planned to visit the market in the old town and do a little walking around there. It was raining quite hard and few vendors had set up in the market so we just drove through. Sylvie took us on the road that runs on top of the old city wall so we had a rather nice view of both the sea and the old church.

Next stop was in Biot. We went to La Verrerie de Biot, a glassblowing place and museum of glass artworks. There were a number of glassblowers working and we watched for a few minutes. It’s always so interesting to see these craftsmen at work. There were lots of things for sale and we bought a couple of hand-blown glasses which were different from anything we already have.

Next we made the short ride to St. Paul de Vence, one of my favorite places. Because of the weather the view of the town as we approached was not nearly as dramatic as when we’ve been there on a sunny day. As we arrived at the gates, the sky opened and it began raining cats and dogs. Additionally there was quite a bit of wind. Intrepid travelers that we are, we pulled up the hoods on our jackets and broke out the umbrellas and began our walk through this beautiful medieval town. It is such a lovely place filled with art galleries and lovely artisan jewelry stores. Unfortunately since we were quite drenched we really didn’t want to go in and drip all over the places. After a walk of the entire length of the main street we headed outside the walls to a nice, dry lunch. A guide from another tour provided some entertainment for everyone in the restaurant. She had a voice reminiscent of Edith Piaf and she sang some of her classic French songs. It was all very nice.

Sylvie had planned for us to visit Les Hauts de Cagnes, another of the stone medieval villages which is less visited by tourists. Because the weather was so bad we opted not to walk there. Instead she drove us through what streets she could and we had a taste of what we missed. Les Hauts sits perched atop a hill. At the very top is the 14^th century castle built by the founder of the Grimaldi family. The Grimaldis are the rulers of Monaco (Princess Grace was married to a Grimaldi). The streets of the old part of the village are like being transported back to the middle ages. I see that we shall have to go back there again one day.

Then it was back to the ship which was waiting for us. Sadly as we sailed we began to see glimpses of blue sky. Oh, well, as the French say “Such is life.”

October 24 - Siena and San Gimignano

The Piazza del Campo in Siena

Today we arrived in Livorno and were picked up by our driver and guide Ileana, arranged by Rome Connections for us. Ileana is an art historian so her knowledge of the area and its sights was excellent.

Our first stop after approximately a two hour drive was Siena. Siena is famous for, among other things, the Palio, an exciting horse race done in the center of the city in the main square (which is actually an oval). Siena is divided into 17 neighborhoods or contrades and these each field a horse and rider. Because there are so many, they actually run two races – one in July with 10 and a second a few weeks later with the other 7 and 3 picked somehow to ride again. The outside roadway of the square is covered with sand several inches deep just for the race and the center of the square is packed with people as are the balconies and windows of the surrounding buildings. It must be a very exciting event to see.

After visiting the Piazza del Campo our next stop in Siena was the cathedral, Santa Maria Assunta. The church was constructed in the 13^th century and the exterior includes some of the black and white marble stripes seen in other cathedrals such as the one in Orvieto. The truly remarkable thing about this cathedral are the magnificent mosaic floors. They were created between the 14^th and 16^th centuries and consist of 56 panels in different sizes covering the entire floor of the Duomo. They represent scenes from the Old Testament and are covered most of the year so they can’t be viewed. We were very lucky to see them uncovered and in their full glory.

Il Duomo - Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
Two of the magnificent mosaic floor panels

Our next stop was a winery in San Gimignano, Tenuta Torciano. It’s located in a very pastoral setting a few minutes outside the city. We had a wonderful lunch complemented with several lovely wines produced by the winery. They also produce a wonderful balsamic vinegar and some lovely olive oil, one of them flavored with black truffles. We had a delightful time and bought some wine, oil and vinegar which will be shipped to us. I think most of our fellow travelers did likewise.

Finally we visited San Gimignano. This small medieval hill town is famous for its towers which can be seen from miles outside the town. At one time there were more than 70 towers but now only about 14 remain. The town is an exquisite walled city with splendid medieval buildings. Some are former towers which were cut down and converted into houses with the additional bricks being used to construct other buildings. After we walked the main street which passes through the entire town it was time to head back to the ship. We could see that one could easily make a trip just to San Gimignano and have lots to see and do in a day tour.

On our way back to Livorno we had a few raindrops but our day ashore was wonderful with great weather.

San Gimignano

October 23 - Tuscania, Bracciano and Ceri

Lunch in Ceri
The village of Ceri perched on its little hill
The view of Lake Bracciano from the Castello Orsini-Odescalchi
The church of San Pietro in Tuscania
An Etruscan sarcophagus dating to approx. 700 BC

We arrived in Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, around sunrise. Since it was a Sunday and we had been to Rome a few times, we opted for a tour outside of the city. We were met ashore by our driver Marco of RomeConnections and off we went.

First stop was Tuscania. While there is some evidence of people in this little city in Lazio (same region as Rome) dating back to the Neolithic age, there are many artifacts from the Etruscans, the precursors of the Romans, c. 700 BC. We went first to the Etruscan Museum in an old monastery. On display there were many old sarcophagi from nearby tombs and many bronze and ceramic pieces found in the nearby countryside. The sarcophagi were quite beautifully carved. The other premier site in the town is the church of San Pietro. It’s a Romanesque church no longer in use built in the 8^th century and renovated a few hundred years later. It has a lovely rose window and some beautiful columns with a variety of capitals.

Our next stop was the Castello Orsini-Odescalchi on Lake Bracciano. The lake is a volcanic crater (some 600 feet deep in places) and one of the largest in Italy. The castle is a museum and one of the most beautiful examples of Renaissance military structures. It has become quite famous because some celebrities have rented it for weddings, including Tom Cruise when he married his current wife. The museum has many interesting military and Etruscan artifacts. The views from the ramparts of the castle of the lake and surrounding countryside were breathtaking. The tour of the place, though, is not for those with any mobility issues because there are quite a few steps.

Finally we drove to Ceri. This picturesque town is perched atop a hill and walled. To get there we had to drive on a hairpin turn street with a traffic light keeping traffic operating only one way at a time. At the top we went to a lovely, and very popular restaurant for a traditional meal of wild boar with pasta. Both the views and the food were outstanding. After a very enjoyable and educational day we drove back to Civitavecchia.

A comment about the weather. This is the latest we have done this cruise and these ports and we have had exceptionally nice weather in our opinion. The temperatures have been in the high 60’s which are perfect to us for doing lots of walking.

October 22 - Napoli

A magnificent mosaic in a villa in Herculaneum. Can you believe it was buried in mud for more than 1700 years?
One of the breath-taking vistas along the Amalfi Coast road
A 2000 year old street in Herculaneum

This morning we arrived bright and early in Napoli. Despite the weather forecast for cloudy and periodic rain we had a spectacular day. We met our friends ashore and our driver Biagio was waiting to take us on our tour for the day.

First stop was Herculaneum. This is a town which was destroyed during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D. While Pompeii was a working class city, Herculaneum was a more upper class resort town by the sea. While Pompeii was covered in ash and pumice and other pyroclastic material, Herculaneum was buried in a tremendous mudslide which occurred after the volcano erupted and subsequently there was tremendous rain. The city remained buried and forgotten until the 18^th century when it was accidentally rediscovered. Serious excavation didn’t begin until the late 19^th century. Because it didn’t succumb to tremendous heat, many things remained intact. Some of the houses still have beautiful murals and mosaic floors from which one can discern the beauty that must have existed. We learned a couple of interesting statistics from our guide. The average life expectancy of a Roman of the era was 41 years. The average life expectancy of a person after becoming a slave was 14 years.

After an interesting and educational visit we proceeded through Sorrento and on to the Amalfi Coast road. The drive is spectacular and not for the faint of heart. I know we could never make the drive ourselves. Around each turn the vistas of the tremendous cliffs with the sparkling blue sea below can take your breath away. Our first stop was Positano, one of my personal favorites. Our driver recommended a restaurant at the bottom near the beach. The walk down was steep with some steps but the payoff at the end was worth it. We ate at a place called La Campusa. The restaurant was open to the delightful sea breeze. I think we all agreed that each of our selections were very good, and the house wine was pretty good too!

The walk back up the hill helped to work off our lunch. Next stop was Amalfi, home to one of my favorite ceramic shops. Along the way Biagio told us a little about the history of the coast. From 700 to 1100 AD (roughly) the area was the Amalfi Republic and was one of the wealthiest states in the Mediterranean because of its extensive trade. Its wealth attracted the attention of Saracen invaders. As the towns were attacked, the people moved their towns further and further up the sides of the mountains. They also built a series of watchtowers both for defensive purposes and to act as signal towers to warn the populace of attack. One can see the remnants of some of them on rocky promontories along the way.

After wandering around Amalfi for awhile we followed Biagio’s recommendation and had a lemon gelato with limoncello in the middle of the bowl. What can I say? Yummy!!

Then it was time to head back to Naples to reboard our ship. It was a splendid day in Naples.

October 21 - A Day at Sea and the Meet & Greet

This morning we arose to a lovely day. Seas were moderate; temperatures were comfortable. After breakfast at Sabatinis we got ready for the Meet & Greet. We had been corresponding for 19 months with a large group of people on the Cruise Critic forum and today was the day we would finally meet old friends and new ones. With 422 people on the “Roll Call,” we had to change venues to accommodate so many. The turnout was excellent (approximately 290 people) and the Captain made an appearance to speak briefly and field questions. It was very nice seeing old friends and meeting new ones that we had previously only met online.

We spent the afternoon just chilling out. Al sat on the balcony and watched the Italian coastline while I took a nap. This evening we traversed the Straits of Messina. We ate in our favorite dining venue Sabatinis where we could see both the shoreline of Sicily and Italy through windows on opposite sides of the ship. At times it seemed we were close enough to touch the shore!

Tomorrow morning early we will dock in Naples for our tour to Herculaneum and the Amalfi Coast. Each day for the next several we’ll be ashore so posting may be difficult.

October 20 - Sailaway from Venice

The Moses Project - These are a series of huge floodgates being built to protect Venice from the sea. Over the years we have seen the progress being made and it looks like they may soon be completed.
From our vantage point on Deck 12 we towered over everything in Venice as we sailed past.

This morning we awoke to very overcast skies and rain. The wind was blowing above 30 knots which made leaving impossible. The Ruby is a very large ship and the channel out past Piazza San Marco is small so with wind it is difficult. We had friends up to our cabin for sailaway which was scheduled for 1:00 PM. The captain came over the PA system to announce that until the wind dropped below 30 knots we would not be leaving. We didn’t mind since we were having a good time with our friends.


At 3:00 PM we had the obligatory muster drill and as we were making our way back to our cabin, the captain announced that the wind had dropped sufficiently to sail. Shortly thereafter a tug came to manage our stern and we were off. We transited the Giudecca Channel and turned just past San Marco and the Doge’s Palace to head to the Adriatic. This was our 4th sailaway from Venice and I must say it was not as memorable because the views were not as good. But, the company was great and even a small glimpse of Venice is wonderful!

October 19 - Boarding the Ruby Princess

Octopi at the Rialto Market. I don't know why but they always fascinate me!
This is a Traghetto - a gondola-like boat on which you can cross the Grand Canal for a small fee while standing (although there is someone sitting in this photo - probably another crazy tourist!). Anyway, we are of the opinion that if we ever tried this we would probably wind up swimming in the Canal.

After two glorious days today we awoke to cloudy skies and cooler temperatures. Nonetheless we ate breakfast on the terrace and then made our requisite trip to the Rialto Market. It was interesting to see because we were there a little later in the season and the selection of some things (like mushrooms) was not as large. We still love markets and took lots of photos of seafood and other luscious looking things. On our way back to the hotel we made a trek to a post office to buy stamps for our postcards from Venice and the rest of Italy. Sometimes on the ship when you mail a postcard from Naples, it actually gets sent from Lisbon or even Ft. Lauderdale.

Around noon our water taxi arrived to take us to the ship. After saying our farewells to Armando and Bruno after another delightful stay at the Al Ponte Antico, we were on our way to the Ruby Princess. Check-in was quick and easy and before we knew it we were on our way to a light lunch at the buffet.

Our bags came quickly and we spent the afternoon getting unpacked, settled in and meeting friends. We dined with friends from Tidewater and after dinner went to a performance of the Venice Chamber Orchestra. All in all a nice day!

October 18 - Venezia again

This morning we awoke to another beautiful day with clear blue skies. The temperature was a little cool but we ate breakfast on the terrace nonetheless. Matteo made us omelets with eggs from his grandmother’s farm and they were scrumptious.

After breakfast we decided to a little shopping nearby. We found a couple of mementoes from Venice, which shall always remind us of the 2011 adventure. On our way back to the hotel to drop some things off we made a stop at the wine store where we’ve made some good buys in the past. It’s Mille Vini near the Rialto Bridge.

Then we decided to ride over to Murano, the glass-blowing island. We walked to the Fundament Nova on the other (north) side of the island. Along the way we saw a number of shops selling beautiful flowers. Others sold handmade pots and still others were marble carvers. When we boarded the vaporetto for the ride across the laguna our first stop was Cimitero, the cemetery island, and then it clicked why those businesses were along the way to the stop to board the boat that takes you to the cemetery.

Next stop was Murano where we returned to a restaurant we’d had lunch at last time we were there. Once again the food was as good as we remembered it. We also were pleased to note that house wines can be quite wonderful here in the Mediterranean area. As we got up from lunch I heard someone calling my name and saw Laura, one of my fellow cruise critic members whom I’d never met. She and her husband Sylvain were sitting almost behind us. What a pleasure to finally meet someone you’ve been talking to for near 18 months!

We made a stop at the glass factory at which we’d bought something a couple of years ago and then we headed back to the hotel in Venice. Next on our agenda was our obligatory ride on the vaporetto out to Lido and then back the length of the Grand Canal. In the past we’ve had some of our best views doing this. Today was not as good because the boats were so crowded! It was difficult to get near a window. We decided to get off at the Rialto station. Two stops before there Al looked to the front of the cabin and who was sitting there but our friends Bill and Irene who had come in after spending a week in Bologna for the cruise. After hugs all around we agreed we’d see each other tomorrow when we board.

Our evening was spent first on the terrace having drinks with Joe and Mollye and then we proceeded to dinner at another of our favorite restaurants, the Alla Borsa. After some good food and wine (and a little grappa after dinner) and even better conversation with lots of laughter interspersed, we walked back to the hotel for the night.

Tomorrow is the big day many of us have been waiting for since March or April, 2010. Let the cruise begin!

October 17 - Venice

The night view of the Rialto Bridge from our room


A Venetian traffic jam near the Accademia

Today was a beautiful flying day. Our flight left a little late from Heathrow because the plane was delayed coming in from northern England. Once we got in the air the flight was smooth and we had beautiful views of the Dolomites and of Venice as we landed. This was the latest, both in day of the year and time of day , that we’ve come to Venice. The weather was picture perfect in my opinion. We had brilliant blue skies and temperature in the high 60’s. During the day with the sun out we had no need of a jacket. This evening it cooled down but was still comfortable with a windbreaker.

We shared a water taxi from the airport with our friends Joe and Mollye from near Lynchburg, VA. We’re all staying at the same hotel, the Al Ponte Antico. This is a small place with just nine rooms. Our room has a glorious view of the Rialto Bridge. We’ve stayed here before and the staff and proprietor remember and greet you by name. Matteo, Oliver, Armando and Bruno could not be more gracious hosts.They have a lovely terrace on the first floor (what we would consider the 2^nd floor) where breakfast is served if the weather is fitting and where you can have a drink any time of day and watch the boats on the Grand Canal. It is so incredible to watch the traffic. In the morning all manner of small boats from UPS and FedEx to hearses and ambulances are delivering the goods and services needed to keep this water city alive. Boats deliver everything consumed here and as they unload on various canals, the items are delivered to their destinations by people with handcarts since there are no cars.

After checking in we began our wander around Venice. The place is packed with tourists! An interesting statistic we learned is that the city has 60,000 residents and receives an average of 60,000 visitors each day! It is truly a city within a city. Despite the crowds around the popular tourist sights, the place is as charming as we remembered. For the first time in a couple of visits we got lost and found ourselves on streets we hadn’t seen before. The variegated colors of the buildings, the sometimes exposed brickwork, the laundry hanging and the flower boxes in the windows combine to make beautiful vistas around every turn. There is something so appealing about the magnificent decay. As you walk along you see a palazzo that has been beautifully restored next to one that is ramshackle and moldering.

Tonight we ate at one of our favorites, the Osteria de Santa Marina. We’ve been there each time we’ve visited and the food and service have never disappointed us.

Tomorrow is another full day here and we shall decide in the morning what to do. We ‘ll just take the day as it comes.

October 16 - London

After a smooth flight across the Atlantic we approached Heathrow just as dawn was beginning to lighten the eastern sky. We were ahead of schedule and I thought perhaps we could have made a connection to Venice after all. The pilot came over the PA system and told us that weather conditions had deteriorated and there was heavy fog around the airport so we would be circling for awhile. He also said that if it was too long, we wouldn’t have enough fuel so we would have to land at another airport, gas up and then proceed to Heathrow. I was glad we had decided to be cautious. As it turned out we managed to land at roughly the scheduled time but the UK customs lines were long and we would have never made it.

We had booked a room at the Sofitel London Heathrow which is connected to Terminal 5 (we’ll be flying out of there tomorrow). It’s a very nice and quiet hotel despite the fact that it sits in the midst of this busy airport. We were able to check in, have breakfast, get cleaned up and take a little nap.

After resting up we proceeded to the Underground station in the Terminal and headed to downtown London. The fog had dissipated and it turned out to be a pretty nice afternoon. The concierge gave us directions from the tube to Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. The train took nearly 25 minutes longer than the Heathrow Express would have, but it cost one quarter of the price plus we were able to get close to the places we wanted to see as opposed to ending up at Paddington Station which was not close to anything.

We got off at Leicester Square and walked to Westminster. Along the way we passed through Trafalgar Square which was packed with people watching a free concert to raise money for some charitable cause. Along the edges of the crowd were people demonstrating for a variety of different things. The cacophony of sounds and the variety of dress we saw was truly amazing and entertaining! Westminster Abbey was closed unfortunately because it is Sunday. We could only look at it and the other iconic buildings around it. Down the street we could hear people protesting something and periodically police cars raced by in that direction with lights flashing and sirens blaring. Across the street from the Abbey was a small tent city with a different group of protesters. The area was packed with tourists like us taking in the sights and sounds. After walking across the Bridge and seeing the London Eye we decided we were pooped and it was time to head back to the hotel. We saw so little that we have a wonderful excuse to come back again and spend more time in this truly interesting place.

The 2011 journey begins

We're on our way for this year's cruise. We're going back to our favorite - Venice to Ft. Lauderdale on the Ruby Princess. We had a limo drive us to Dulles and we're sitting in the Virgin Atlantic lounge until we can board at 17:50. It was lovely not having to drive ourselves up I-95.

It looks like a perfect flying day with clear skies. Our first stop is London Heathrow where we will spend the night. The connection time was too close for my comfort so we opted to spend the day and night in London. If we're not too tired we'll hop on the Heathrow Express and see a little of London.

Monday morning we'll be off to the next stop - Venice!! We'll be spending two nights at the Al Ponte Antico on the Grand Canal overlooking the Rialto Bridge. Then Wednesday the 19th we'll be boarding the ship. The first several days of the cruise are very port intensive so we may not be able to post everyday but we'll try.