Vatican Visit

We visited the Vatican on May 1 while on a cruise on the Ruby Princess. We took the train from Civitavecchia where the Ruby Princess was docked. We got off the train at the Roma S. Pietro station which is near the Vatican.

We were lucky we got there shortly after 9 am because later in the morning long lines stretched across St. Peter's Square waiting to enter St. Peter's Basilica.

The artwork displayed both inside and outside of St. Peter's Basilica was very impressive. It is hard to imagine how long it took to create all of the thousands of pieces of art found at the Vatican.

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Botanical Gardens Of Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy

While in Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy on a cruise on the Ruby Princess, we visited the botanical gardens of Cagliari operated by the University of Cagliari.  According to Wikipedia, the "Orto Botanico dell'Università di Cagliari" was opened between 1864 and 1866 and contains 2000 species, predominantly of Mediterranean origin but with a good collection of succulents and tropical plants as well.


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The garden is organized into three major sections:

Mediterranean plants - representing the three bands of Sardinian vegetation as well as species from Australia, California, Chile, etc.

Succulent plants - about 1000 succulents in a greenhouse and outdoors, roughly equally divided between African and American origin.

Tropical plants - a collection of tropical plants.

The gardens are an easy walk from the cruise port and are located near the Roman Amphitheater.  Below are photos from the gardens.

Alaska Cruise Tours: Now Is The Time To Buy!

If you have been considering doing an Alaska Cruise Tour then now is the time to buy. Prices on Holland America Cruise Tours are very low. For $1,088 (which includes taxes and fees) you can book a 12-day Holland America Cruise Tour for several dates in June 2010.

Photo: Early morning view of mountains on the Lynn Canal before arriving in Skagway, Alaska on the Holland America Volendam.

We did the Holland America 12-day tour (Tour Number 3) last year on the Volendam and paid slightly more. The reason we really like this tour is the combination of a 3-day cruise, 3 different train rides, a boat ride up the Yukon River, luxury buses and a very well organized trip. We highly recommend this itinerary.

Click Here To View Current Pricing For Holland America Alaska Cruise Tours

Here is the itinerary for Holland America Cruise Tour #3:

Cruise begins in Vancouver, BC, Canada

Day At Sea In The Inside Passage       
 

Tracy Arm (Twin Sawyer Glaciers), AK (Cruising)     8:00am     Noon

Juneau, AK     2:30pm     10:30pm

Skagway, AK     7:00am

Tour begins in Skagway, AK
Disembark and meet a Klondike National Park ranger and your Tour Director, followed by an informative 1½-hour tour of Skagway. Then explore the town on your own.
       

Skagway, AK / Whitehorse, YT, Canada

This exclusive Klondike Trail adventure includes scenic railway travel aboard nostalgic White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad parlor cars. Enjoy lunch (included) and a walking tour at historic Lake Bennett, the staging point for river travel to the gold fields of 1898. Then re-board the railway and travel to Carcross, a popular stopping-off place for Stampeders. Take your Explorer Coach™ to Whitehorse and enjoy the Frantic Follies Vaudeville Revue (included).        

Photo: View from White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad train near United States - Canada border while heading from Skagway to Lake Bennett.

Whitehorse, YT, Canada / Dawson City, YT, Canada

Follow the Yukon River north, stopping for lunch in Minto (included). Arrive in historic Dawson City, site of the world's last great gold rush, and overnight in this Klondike National Historic Site.        

Dawson City, YT, Canada

Join local interpreters for optional guided hikes spotlighting Tombstone's scenery and wildlife. Or stay in beautifully preserved Dawson City and get a taste of frontier life.        

Dawson City, YT, Canada / Tok, AK

Surrender to the lure of the Far North on our mv Yukon Queen II catamaran cruise of the legendary Yukon River (lunch included). Later, enjoy a guided tour of Eagle, a Historic District and National Landmark, then overnight in Tok.       

 Photo: View from Yukon Queen II catamaran on Yukon River while traveling to Eagle, Alaska from Dawson City, Yukon Territory.

Tok, AK / Fairbanks, AK

Visit an authentic Alaskan roadhouse as you sightsee to Fairbanks. The gold rush comes alive through mining exhibits and gold panning at Gold Dredge No. 8, a National Historic Site (lunch included). Overnight downtown.        

Fairbanks, AK / Denali National Park, AK

Board the largest domed railcars on the historic Alaska Railroad route. Sit back and relax as magnificent scenery glides by. Upon arrival at Denali National Park transfer to your inviting lodge.        

Denali National Park, AK

The Tundra Wilderness Tour offers your best chances of seeing wildlife and capturing great photos of Mt. McKinley. Later, return to your lodge and relive your adventure over dinner.        

Denali National Park, AK / Anchorage (Seward), AK

Re-board the train and sightsee to Alaska's largest city, where you'll say good bye to your Tour Director.        

Anchorage (Seward), AK

Your tour ends this morning in Anchorage.

Vancouver, B.C. Port Information

The Rooftops Of Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy

We recently visited Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy on a cruise on the Ruby Princess and captured these images of life on the rooftops of Cagliari.

Click Here For More Information About The Cruise Port of Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy

Walking To The Top Of The Rock Of Gibraltar

When we visited Gibraltar on a cruise on the Ruby Princess, we had decided we wanted to walk up "The Rock" rather than take the cable car to the top. As it turned out, there was a power failure in Gibraltar on the day we arrived and the cable car was temporarily out of service. This made the decision to walk to the top an easy one.


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There are several routes you can take to the top. We elected to start at the Gibraltar Botanical Gardens and walk up Europa Road. Signs along the road will direct you towards the top. It is a little over a 2-mile walk to the top. Most of the walk is on a single-lane road which you will share with the minivans taking tourists to the top.

Photo: The Gibraltar Botanical Gardens was the starting point for our walk to the top of the Rock of Gibraltar.

Photo: Looking back down the single lane road.

Photo: Looking up the road to the top.

Photo: The road leads to St. Michael's Cave and other points of interest along the way to the top.

Photo: Great views as you walk to the top. Ferry traffic in and out of Gibraltar.

Photo: Parson's Lodge Battery covers the entrance to Rosia Bay.

Photo: You share the one-lane road with tour minivans.

Photo: Ropes passed through rings located along the path were used to haul heavy guns up to the "Upper Rock."

Photo: The path to the top continues.

Photo: While it is a good walk to the top, there are plenty of places to stop and enjoy the view.

Photo: A pair of yellow-legged gulls.

Photo: We eventually find the Barbary Apes of Gibraltar. However, they are actually monkeys. It is not a good idea to take food with you because they will find it and try to take it away from you.

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Photo: You can also take the stairs to the top of the Rock.

Photo: The top of the Rock.

Photo: The view from the top. The Ruby Princess docked in Gibraltar.