Villefranche and Monaco

When they talk about the South of France and how beautiful it is- it is NOT a lie! It is absolutely gorgeous. Our final stop was at Villefranche- part of the French Riviera (aka Cote d'Azur). Nearby are Cannes and Nice.

You can see our ship docked near Villefranche. (This was also a location where we were tendered in to the shore.)

We decided to take the Tour of Monaco. I remember reading my mom's Good Housekeeping magazines when I was a little girl and seeing Princess Grace on the cover. (I also remember reading about her death.)

Kailey and Shelby in the church by Princess Grace's grave (she and Prince Rainier were also married in this church).

Monaco is beautiful. We found out that lots of people live in France and work in Monaco.

Grandpa and Grandma in front of the Royal Palace where Prince Albert lives.
(If you look close- on the right is the part of the palace that is the oldest.)


Our family in front of the palace.


The Monaco Marina and the Grand Prix viewing stands (we were there a week before the Monaco Grand Prix).


The Casino Royale in Monte Carlo (James Bond anyone?)


Jake's favorite store in Monaco- the Ferrari store!

We took a little train ride that took us on a short tour of Monaco. It was really fun- but some people didn't think so.

Sad Madi and her Daddy


A much happier Madi and Shelby by the beautiful and very expensive yachts. Look at all the skyscrapers behind them.


Jake was a bit tired by the end of the tour.


So were Madi and I.


This was at the Port Terminal. they had several fun jokers and we had to take a picture with one.


Danny and I. (Did I mention that it was beautiful?)


I love these people.

By this point- the kids had had it. So I asked Jake and Kailey to show me how they really felt...

They were happy to oblige.


Shelby had to have a picture with the infant bras. (Actually life vests for kids- but must confess that we all giggled a bit.)


Emery, Claire and Grandpa on the tender- heading back to the ship (you can see it in the distance)


Madi and Dad (with more of the family in the background) one LAST glimpse of Villafranche.


Would I ever go back to the French Riviera? Absolutely.

Sea Day and Corsica

May 1 was a Sea Day. Fun, fun, fun on the ship.

Emery with lots of face paint, enjoying the sunshine.

Corsica is the island where Napoleon Bonaparte was born. It is supposed to be just beautiful. This is the only day that it rained. So, only Dan and Cheri, Danny, Madi and I left the ship.

A beautiful hotel in Ajaccio.


The cemetery looked cool from the bus.


Imagine how beautiful this would be in the sunshine.


We were up top on the bus. It was cold and wet. Poor Madi.


Cheri celebrates the heroes of the Corsican Resistance of WWII.


Can you see Madi with her Dad and Grandpa?

We enjoyed a walk through a cute little market and had some lovely cheese and bread. We also walked through a fish market that was very interesting and stinky. We were happy to go back to the ship.

La Spezia and Pisa

Our 4th port of call was La Spezia, Italy. From here you can explore Tuscany, Florence and Pisa. This was our first port where we were tendered. That means that the ship docked in the bay of La Spezia and then boats would take the passengers off the ship in groups to the shore. It was a short boat ride- maybe 10-15 minutes.



Grandpa, Grandma and the kids on the boat.

La Spezia is where the Italian Navy have their ships.


More of us as we are tendering in.


This picture doesn't do it justice. It was beautiful.

When we went on our other cruise, the kids stayed on the boat while we toured around Pisa and Florence. We thought they would enjoy Pisa. Plus- you can't be this close to Pisa and NOT see it.


There is more than just the tower here. From L-R: The Baptistry, the Basilica, and the tower.
There were lots of people there- but I think it is just beautiful.


My three eldest daughters. Aren't they cute?


They were really good at recycling! They used the old marble bricks to build the new buildings. (You can see something in latin on this brick here. They used the parts from the Roman temples, etc.)


All the Carrells


Here we are! It was a beautiful day and so fun to be there with everyone. (Of course we have pictures of all the kids holding up the tower- but I chose not to put them all here.)

The Italian countryside is just beautiful. We saw the mountains where they get Carrara Marble.

We also saw this beautiful village on top of this mountain. Again- my camera didn't do it justice.

We walked around La Spezia for a few minutes after our tour of Pisa. Sadly, the only thing I wanted from Italy was a few boxes of Cioccolata. (The hot chocolate that calls my name in several different languages...) We couldn't find a supermarket close by and I decided against getting a taxi and spending any additional money. So, I left Italy without my beloved cioccolata BUT- we had fun in Pisa. Then we headed back to the ship.


Emery, Madi and Grandma with our ship in the background.


Disney MAGIC!!!

That evening, after the ship started sailing, Emery and Claire and I were in our room and we looked out to see what we were passing. It was beautiful!


Cute Emery with some cool islands behind her.


I love this picture! They really are sweet- but the background looks completely fake! It wasn't! And the sea looks as smooth as glass.

Thanks for another wonderful adventure Italy!

Back to the Cruise... Civitavecchia

Civitavecchia is the port nearest to Rome. Since we had already visited Rome, we decided to just stay on the boat. Kailey, Grandma, Grandpa and I did get off the ship to do a bit of shopping. Sadly, we left in the early afternoon when EVERYTHING was closed! Oopsy. We were able to find a nice little leather store and Grandpa got a belt and we found a lovely gelato shop. So, our time off the ship wasn't a waste of time.

During dinner, some very exciting people stopped by our table.

Cinderella with Claire and Kailey

Snow White with Emery, Madi and Jake is trying to be invisible.

Madi, Belle and Emery

All of us in a port hole. (I am so sad that the lens of our camera was smudged! This would be a great picture if it wasn't for that. Darn.)

The WHOLE family. We're so glad that Grandpa and Grandma came on the cruise with us!

Later in the evening, they had a family dance party. Most of the people who danced were under the age of 8.

Daddy and Madi showing off some serious moves!

Leave it to Danny and Cheri to get some real fun started!

CONGA!!!

Ah, the memories. Love them.

The Amalfi Coast

Our third stop was Naples, Italy. We decided to do an adult only day trip. The kids were thrilled to be without their parents and Kailey was well compensated for her efforts. (Madi spent time in the nursery and with the kids.)

We booked a guide and a car in advance and they took us to tour the Amalfi Coast. It was a beautiful day and the sights were gorgeous.

Danny and I overlooking Sorrento.


The "Beach"


No sand- but a lovely place to enjoy the sea and the sun.


I loved this statue of a mother and baby in Sorrento.


Cheri, Dan, Danny and I with Positano behind us (wish you could see the road that winds above and through the town)


Lunch at La Conca Azzurra (what a gorgeous view)


Amalfi- another beautiful town


The Duomo at Amalfi (I am still a little sad that we didn't have time to go inside.)


On the way to Ravello


Leaving Naples that evening on the ship.

We saw lots of lemon trees (something they are famous for in Sorrento), drove LOTS of winding roads (I got car sick but it wasn't horrible), enjoyed everything (Danny even shared his gelato with me) and the kids had a great day too!