Spring Holiday 2009

Celebrity Solstice * Umbria and Tuscany * England

Here are observations and recommendations which may be helpful in planning your future itinerary.

April 19 –May 4. Celebrity Solstice. Fort Lauderdale to Rome

• Book a Sky Suite. Corner of the stern. We were on Deck 6. Well placed deck for getting about. Stateroom in wrap around position. You will love the lovely state-of-art bath, closet space, butler service. A strange objection is the pole that somehow holds up the ceiling. Had to keep in mind if exiting from bed in the dark.

• Very important if it is important. Book your stateroom close to the lifts if walking is a consideration. Even if it is not. It can be a long walk.

• Computer education. Exceptional one hour classes to learn Adobe Photo Shop. $20 per session. (Complementary on Cunard)

• Michaels Club. Where were the other 1000 plus passengers every night from 7:30p-8:30p in the most intimate and cozy lounge?

Not in Michaels. 10-15 guests at most.

Important: BIG ships are not so big.

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Custom Planned Shore Excursions by Virtuoso On-Sites

I am so detailed and so particular. Bless them all for their patience, excellent communication and for their expertise in planning our custom shore excursions. We had 5 – 8 passengers (that includes me) who were not amongst 50 plus on shore excursions.

Portugal

Azores: ½ day. 7 of us. Mostly scenic. Two churches. Pineapple “plantation”. Again loved our mini-van vs. the major coaches.

Lisbon: Full day for 5 of us. ▼

Started with the tile factory, Sao Simao. Old world production. Small workshop. Okay, but perhaps not worth the time if there is a more interesting venue. Tiles to take home at 12 euro each. Cork back. Nice to use as coasters.

I wanted lunch in the Alfama, the old part of Lisbon. A really mas typico restaurant. With my own research, found just the place. Tasca da Se. Very small. Family run. Eight tables perhaps. Fun lunch. Cod in all forms. Very Portuguese. Good value. Exceptional day.

Important note for those 65+ for St. George Castle visitation. Go to ticket office first for free voucher before climbing to the entry. Guess the extra exercise after lunch didn’t hurt.

France

Marseilles: City overview with lunch at Chez Fonfon, small establishment by the sea, and naturally seafood. ► Cecile drove us with great French know-how. Loved it when we passed the 50+ passenger buses from the ship.

Italy

Livorno: Half day for 5 of us to Pisa (photo stop) and Lucca. We were on our own since driving is not allowed within the city walls. Not a problem with my Michelin Green for guiding.

Port of Civitavecchia

For independent travelers with car hire:

From the ship insist on a taxi to the car rental location. Taxi drivers are looking for a better fare. Plead if you must. Otherwise it is a nightmare through all the steps. Free transport to city, then dropped with luggage. No taxis. Now find the car rental agency. And worst of all, finding the way back to where you left your mates with the luggage.

Bella Italia

Once we found our way out of Civitavecchia, where my only reason for return is to embark or disembark on a fantastic ship, we were on our way to Umbria and Tuscany for a fab holiday.

3 nights: Montefalco: Villa Pambufetti.

Soon realized that Italy has the perched villages similar to France. The” oohs and ahs” loose fascination when one must circumnavigate hills for one’s accommodation and then where does one park a car?

Thus, Montefalco is a perfect choice. Small little village with a square. We were not spiraling hills to reach our home for 3 nights.

Choose Villa Pambufetti and Montefalco with confidence. Has the equivalent feel to an English country house hotel. Charm. Friendliness. Recommend superior rooms. Lovely breakfast. Disappointed in the one dinner provided in the package.

Excursions:

Assisi: Park your car. Hire a taxi for the cathedral. Parking is non-existent.

Torgiano: Have a 5* lunch at Le Tre Vasselle.

Orvieto: Drive as far as you can to visit the cathedral. Take the first parking spot.

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3 nights: Radda in Chianti. Pallazzo Leopoldo

Radda is a small village that is not perched upon a mountain. However, it is accessed by windy roads through the Chianti countryside.

Super hotel. Suggest a superior room. Absolutely exceptional, helpful and friendly staff. Exquisite breakfasts.

At this stage, we were weary of never finding parking places. So, did not even attempt to visit Siena or San Gimignano. Never mind. The beautiful wine producing areas of Chianti were the quintessential Italy.

The discovery of all was the tiny village of Montefioralle next door to Greve in Chianti. We literally fell in to the small restaurant Taverna del Guerrino. Perched on the hillside overlooking the vineyards, we knew we had found the Italy we came to see. It was Saturday lunchtime. Amongst the very few tables, we were the only non-Italians.

Extra thoughts:

Consider having a driver throughout or for special visitations. Parking can be non-existent. And so much time lost in traffic, one-ways, getting lost.

England

Easy connect from Pisa to London Gatwick on BA.

Bromley outside of London

Best Western Bromley Court Hotel. Absolutely miniscule room. We had a chair removed for suitcase floor space. Dining Room only redeeming factor.

Isle of Wight

Ryde Castle Hotel, Ryde. Bare accommodation. But cheap at £59 to include breakfast. Dinner appalling.

Seaview Hotel Restaurant in Seaview. Amongst 3 best on the island.

In case you didn’t know:

Other options for not staying in London…but yet want to be accessible or want to be near Heathrow:

Look at Richmond

We stayed 2 nights at 4* Petersham Hotel overlooking the Thames. Our “standard room” came close to superior. View of the river. Package included one dinner. Excellent. Terrific staff. Parking no problem. Feel of country house. Great sightseeing opportunities. Hampton Court. Kew Gardens. We did Ham House and Gardens. Lovely afternoon.

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Easy drive to Heathrow. Just keep in mind traffic. We left at 7:45am on a Tuesday morning. . Dropped car. Standing at Virgin Atlantic counter by 9:30am.

When you are ready for your next holiday call me

757-253-2700/ 800-841-0222

Mary Lou