Mediterranean Coasts of Italy and France -- September 4-6, 2015 -- Days 17-19

Day 17, September 4, 2015 … All evening and through the night the ship cruised along the coastline of Italy to Rome, docking at Civitavecchia. The port is about an hour and a half by bus from Rome, but our plan was to take the train into town and just spend the day wandering around, enjoying the sidewalk cafes and fountains, etc., rather than fight the crowds at the Vatican or other popular sites in the city. However, Bob has been fighting a little bug; and so we decided to just chill out today on the ship instead.  Even before leaving for this adventure, our plan was at some future date to come back to Italy for a week or two during the less popular season to more leisurely enjoy all that Rome and the surrounding areas have to offer. I guess this unexpected setback has just solidified those plans!!

Day 18, September 5, 2015 … Again, the ship sails through the night northwesterly to the port of Livorno. From here passengers have access to Pisa with its Leaning Tower, Florence with its David or a trip into the beautiful Tuscany wine country. We chose, of course, to go on a Princess tour through the Tuscan countryside.

We board the motor coach with a young, enthusiastic guide who explained that Livorno is the third largest port in Italy. Most of the town was destroyed during World War II, so except for the church and a few other buildings, it is a relatively modern city. Most people make their living by fishing either in the canals for a local fish or in the Mediterranean for sea bass or tuna. This entire area is the Pisa Province, known, of course, for the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The tower was built in 1173, though it took 200 years to complete.  The problem is with the soils of this area, as it is quite swampy and wet. It is a lush area, however, with fertile soil where barley, corn, sunflowers, grapes and olives, artichokes and vegetables of every kind are grown.  A common sight is the umbrella pine tree, called so because the green canopy resembles an umbrella. The tree also produces the pine nuts we use in cooking.  The raising of sheep is important for their well-known and scrumptious sheep’s milk cheese, and pigs are raised for their special sausages, prosciutto, ham, etc.  We see mountains in the short distance which are abundant with marble, another major export product from this area.

Umbrella Trees ... produces
pine nuts

Horse-drawn carriage ride through the Estate
of  Torre /a /Cebaua

We arrived at the charming little country town of Cenaia and stop at Torre A Cenaia, a 1,200-acre estate, the largest in the Pisa Provence, and the area’s most renown wine producer.  The origins of the land can be traced back to the medieval era. The iconic Italian courtyard sits in front of the old farmhouse. A 13^th century private Catholic Chapel is attached to the house where Mass is still said today. Wine has been produced for over 2,000 years; and, of course, we all know that Italy is a fantastic wine producer.  A guide from the winery explained the process of making the three basic types of wine … white, red and sweet dessert wines (no type of sugar is allowed to be added to any beverages in Italy). After a quick look at the winery, we climbed into cute horse-drawn carriages for a leisurely clip-clop ride down the gorgeous cypress-lined road through the estate, along some of the fields, past the old vine-covered barn (where a brick oven has been added outside for cooking lessons taught here!) and through the vineyards. We got to taste those deliciously sweet little green grapes, as this is the time for harvesting. The estate also produces many of the farm products of the area, raises pigs and sheep, has an animal hunting preserve with a wide variety of animals, especially hares and even has a lovely restaurant.\

The cypress-lined road through the estate of Torra A Cenaia, Italy

After this most leisurely ride, (note …. NO crowds to contend with today!) we sat outside at tables with white table cloths under the canopy … the weather is perfect today … for our wine tasting. We sampled each of the three types of wines and were treated to virgin olive oil (some of the finest oils in the world are produced here) and bread, some cheeses and salami and three different types of brochettes.  To me the red wine was the very best, so I’m hoping we can find Torre A Cenaia at home.  If not, I’ll order it on line and have it shipped home!

Wine Tasting in Torre A Cenaia, Italy

After washing clothes , we rested a bit before joining the group for another fun- and laughter-filled and absolutely “nice” dinner (as the English and Australians are fond of saying!). On strolling back to our stateroom, we pass the “Crooners Bar” in the ship’s atrium as a black piano player is playing “16 Tons” and “Love Letters in the Sand” and a few other old ballads. We stop and listen for awhile, a perfect finish to another lovely day.

Day 19, September 6, 2015 … The ship crossed the Ligurian Sea, just clearing the north coastline of Corsica, in the night, then through a few straights to the port of La Seyne Sur La Mer, next to Toulon, France.  We are on the Cote d’Azure at the western edge of the French Riviera, known for its classic architecture, seaside bistros, golden sand beaches and inviting blue seas.

We walked into the town of La Seyne-sur-Mer to enjoy a bit of the sights and sounds and culture of the area.  We walked along the bay with its many fancy yachts and sailboats, then through a rather big flea market and along some of the city’s narrow streets. Because it is Sunday, many of the shops are closed.  We would have liked to have done more in this area, but with money running through our fingers every day and knowing the next couple days will be more intense, we took advantage of some

The Island Princess Atrium

on-board ship time to read, catch up on Internet connections, nap, enjoy the happy hour (no, we did not win the drawing for the $130 bottle of wine … boo! ), enjoy soe of the talented musicians, and … pack! 

The farewell dinner this evening was mixed with emotion --- the enjoyment of people who have become joyous friends and who have, for us, made the cruise simply delightful, and the sorrow of having to say good bye.  Great food, more laughs, many pictures, the “Baked Alaska” parade of behind-the-scene chefs, the hugs and well-wishes with not only the couples at our table, but with the wait staff as well … all mark the end of another wonderful adventure, this time of meandering around the Mediterranean.

Our wonderful dinner friends on the Island Princess

But it’s not over … stay tuned.  Tomorrow morning we disembark in Barcelona, Spain … a new country for both of us!