Oceania's "Mediterranean Mosaic"

Our first cruise was on Oceania's Marina from Rome to Venice, April 26 - May 6, 2011: 10 days, 5 countries, 10 different ports of call. We were traveling with two other couples and the Ferrari Carano Wine Club. We were anticipating good times, seeing some amazing sights and drinking lots of fabulous wine and we were not disappointed; everything - from the ship, the sights, the food, and the unlimited Ferrari Carano wine  - far exceeded our expectations.  We fell in love with the Marina and with cruising - we are now certified cruiseaholics!

 

 

Day One: Civitavecchia, Italy

Welcome aboard the Marina!  We were so excited to be boarding our first cruise ship.  Little did we know at the time that we had picked one of the best cruise lines with the most beautiful ship for our cruising initiation.  Our captain was Luca Manzi and the Cruise Director was Leslie Jon. 

 
 
 

 

Isn't she beautiful? 1200 passengers, 800 crew, all cruising in style!

 

We were in a concierge level cabin and were astonished at how roomy it was - much bigger than all of our preconceived notions. And the veranda! Such a treat to be able to step outside and enjoy the scenery floating by, especially with a glass of bubbly!  

  

 

Day Two: Monte Carlo, Monaco.

We started the day with a delicious breakfast on the Terrace Cafe, overlooking Monte Carlo - the weather and the views were breathtaking.  We spent the day walking all around the city, enjoying the sights (the old city, the Palace, the church where Grace Kelly is buried, the casino)  and the fact that we really were in Monte Carlo!  Monte Carlo is very easy to do on your own - no tour guide required.  Just walk off the ship and start exploring.  Wear comfortable shoes.  If you want to go into the casino during the day, just to look around, casual dress is OK, but you'll still have to pay to get in - at the time (2011) it was 15 euros each.  Enjoy the yachts, the expensive cars and the cleanest streets you'll find anywhere.

Monte Carlo - what a spectacular backdrop for the first of many photo ops

 

 

The views were awesome.  What a picturesque beginning to our first cruise. That's the Marina peaking out in the distance - she's not that much bigger than some of the yachts.

Getting ready for the Grand Prix

The Casino is very impressive

  

 

 

Monte Carlo glitters at night - it was a sparkling panorama as we sailed away

Day three: La Spezia, Italy
We tendered ashore and walked over to the ferries and caught one to Portovenere, a stunning hillside town rising above La Spezia's harbor with breathtaking views and the lovely Church of San Pietro.  We then ferried over to Riomaggiore, the first of the five cities (Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Manarola, Vernazza and Monterosso) that comprise the area known as Cinque Terre, which is both a National Park and a UNESCO protected territory -  5 charming towns scattered across the coastal cliffs with absolutely stunning views of the sea.  We then walked the "Via Amore" to Manarola, where we caught the train to Vernazza - the last of the 5 cities.  From Vernazza, we took the train back to La Spezia.

Portovenere

Coming into Portovenere

Portovenere

How inviting - I wonder who lives here?

A picture perfect view to the beautiful deep blue sea

The Church of San Pietro sits on the tip of Portovenere's promontory on what was once the site of a Temple to Venus (Venere in Italian), after whom Portovenere was named. The church originated as an early Christian building made of black marble dating from the 6th century. In the 13th century it was extended with a Gothic style addition and belltower. Around the church is a Romanesque loggetta with arches framing the coastline.  Near the Church is Byron's Cove, a rocky area where the poet Byron used to swim. It is a great place to get married and we were there just in time to see the bride & groom departing the church.

Riomaggiore

Riomaggiore

Riomaggiore

We had lunch at  La Lampara (Via Malborghetto 10, Riomaggiore), which I highly recommend

Via Amore - The road of love. Walking to Manarola from Riomaggiore

"Love Locks" on the Via Amore

Manarola

Manarola

 

Vernazza

Vernazza

Day Four: Livorno, Italy
This is where most people take a tour to Florence or Pisa in Tuscany - 800 of the 1200 passengers  departed on various tours.  We decided to forgo the long bus rides and stay in Livorno since we would be spending several days in Florence, and then a week in Tuscany, after the cruise.  We didn't know what to expect but thought there wouldn't be much since there were no tours offered for Livorno by Oceania. We just headed out to discover and explore Livorno on our own and I am so glad we did.  We stumbled across the Central Market (Mercato Centrale), and oh my - it was something to behold.  John, the photographer, was in heaven!  Mercato Centrale is a lively, bustling market with lots of fish, vegetables, meat and cheese on offer, as well as clothing, jewelry, shoes, etc.  It is also wonderful for people watching - one of our favorite things to do when traveling.

The Central Market in Livorno, Italy - it was definitely tempting & colorful

This little pup was hoping someone would drop something

 

 

 

 

 

 

There obviously was something for everyone!

 

Day 5:  Sorrento, ItalyDue to high seas we were not able to tender in Amalfi/Positano, so we cruised to Sorrento instead (the birthplace of Limoncella liquer!).  It was a rainy day but, nevertheless, Sorento still was charming. 

A great spot to view the Marina with our friends - and nice to have those Oceania umbrellas

 

Sorrento is a great place to buy pottery - Italian, of course.

Il Vallone dei Mulini (Deep Valley of the Mills)   (Tasso Square, Sorrento)

Corso Italia - the main street of Sorrento; very quiet on a rainy Saturday.

Day Six: Messina, Sicily
We took the bus from the port and headed to the center of Taormina.  Once there, it was very easy to find our way around and we spent many delightful hours exploring this lovely town.  A special highlight was the famed Greek theater which dates back to the 3rd century B.C., and its fantastic view of Mount Etna. Also, the Giardini della Villa Comunal, a beautiful garden in the center of town, is not to be missed for the peace and tranquility as well as the amazing views. 

Taormina, Sicily

 

 

The gardens - a great place to sit and relax with a friend

and catch some rays!

 

Lovely sidewalk cafes

The Greek Theater

 

 

Spectacular views of Mount Etna and Taormina from the Greek Theater

We returned to Messina for some cannoli and wine at a cafe in the piazza at the foot of the very impressive Cathedral (Doumo), which contains the remains of King Conrad, the ruler of Germany and Sicily in the 13th century.   The bell tower of the Cathedral of Messina contains the biggest and most complex mechanical and astronomical clock in the world and is the city’s main attraction. At noon a complex system of counterweights, leverages and gears, determines the movement of the gilded bronze statues located in the façade. They are related to the civil and religious traditions of the city.  The Clock Tower can be visited inside and John paid the 3.5 euros and said it was well worth it.  (and so was the cannoli!)

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day Seven: Corfu, Greece
We spent the day absorbing the local color and enjoying Corfu's  beautiful views & charming old town. 



 

Day 8: Kotor, Montenegro
It was a rainy day when we docked in Kotor.  We took the Oceania excursion to Budva, a seaside resort, but due to the heavy rain at the time we didn't really see much - we spent most of the time in a cafe trying to stay dry!  Once we returned to historic Kotor, a World Heritage Site, we had a walking tour of the medieval Old Town with its narrow streets and squares.   Kotor is a city steeped in tradition and history,  the old city was built between the 12th and 14th centuries and is filled with medieval architecture and historic monuments. Extending over four kilometers, the city walls that have protected Kotor for centuries lead up to the fortress of Saint Ivan.

 

 

 

After the rest of us went back to the ship, John walked  the wall,  the 1,000 Steps to the Fortress at the top of the hill and he was rewarded for his efforts with a great photo op.

 

 

The added bonus for making the climb - a great view of the Marina

 

Day 9: Dubrovnik, Croatia
After taking the first bus out to the Old Walled City, we did our own walking tour - entering the old walled city through the Pile Gate, which is the main entrance and the beginning of its main street, the Stradun, and then walking the wall - it was awesome!  There were some really fabulous views of the Adriatic and the Old City.

You can see the still remaining effects of the long war that devastated this city

The colorful rooftops of the Old City

 

Even in Croatia, the pizza was delicious. The wine wasn't bad, either!

Day 10: Venice, Italy
Our final port of call.  We had a beautiful day and there was so much to see and enjoy  and experience in Venice.  The very best thing for us was the amazing views from our Veranda as we cruised into port - simply stunning.  Venice was a perfect ending to a perfect cruise. 

 The cruise came to an end but the beautiful memories will last forever