transam84

Our guide had pre-purchased tickets for us and that was a big plus since we by passed the huge line. So we entered this very plain building to be awestruck by the most impressive sculpture of all time. Nothing could have prepared me for my first glimpse of David. Huge and the detail is beyond imagination. It was not too crowded and we were able to get up close and spend enough time gazing at him. There are also some other works of art, but the David over shadows everything.

A very unassuming building that holds one of the most amazing treasures.

The great hall that houses the David. The first sight took my breathe away.

I love the way they have some of Michelangelo's unfinished works lining the route to the David. It emphasizes how impressive the David really is, just seeing what it takes to bring the art to life from a piece of stone. They look like monsters breaking free from their prison. And the unfinished Pieta shows what a rebel he really was.

After that we got back with our guide we headed for La Acadamia to see the David.

Some sights enroute.

Such incredible food in Italy

Beauty is everywhere

Such a kaleidoscope of sights

And did I tell you driving is crazy in Florence! This street allows tour drivers to drive right through a pedestrian thoroughfare!

And Narrow streets is an understatement

Your review is wonderful and your photos are amazing! Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us.

Thank you for reading it and your kind words.

This is a really nice review. I want to do Europe but feel overwhelmed by the amount of research I'd have to do. And I'm trying to figure out the cost of everything . I'm kind of an expert on the Caribbean but I need to branch out. We were looking at Harmony.

 

 

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Yes, it can be overwhelming, I agree, but don't let it deter you. It is just incredible. My husband never wanted to leave the US other than the Caribbean, but I finally convinced him and wanted it to be easy and perfect. I arranged private tours for the most part, including a two day completely guided private tour in Rome. It sounds expensive, but when I priced it out against a bunch of semi-private tours it came out not much more expensive. It was so easy and worth it. We saw so much more and it was stress free. My husband loved it so much now he wants to go all over. The man who never wanted to leave the US has now told me he wants to go to Japan and Australia. So just do it! If you decide to go and would like to chat about the tours and what we did feel free to e-mail me. ltrogrady@optonline.net

Did similar trip enjoying your pictures and commentary,Like being there again.

Thanks.

Here are few views of the stairway on our way down. For those who are considering it but not sure. It honestly was not that bad until we got to the last set of steps to the very top.

Our friends wanted to climb the duomo so even though we were apprehensive since I am claustrophobic and Tom hates heights we decided to go for it. It was a bit difficult to figure out where to get tickets but we managed. You can get same day tickets. We got some conflicting information but eventually figured our way through it.

It was quite a climb but not that bad since there is a lot of stopping. There are two levels with walkways, then you have to climb to the peak. We made it to walkway 2 but opted out of peak since the stairway got extremely narrow. The views of the church even from the walkways were awesome. I am glad we did it.

The View down

Me, LOL

Getting up close and personal with the art

A view out

We went inside and explored the lower level and lit candles. It is beautiful in it's simplicity.

Interior Views

The first sight of the Cathedral up close was awesome. It is so detailed and beautiful. I'm not sure what else to say. It defies description it is so magnificent. So a picture says a thousand words.

Then it was time to head into the old city. I commented to the guide that driving in Florence seemed a little better than Rome. She cautioned me we had not gotten to the old city yet. Well as soon as we passed through the arch in the wall I knew she was right. If possible the streets are narrower and more chaotic than Rome. But the city is magnificent. As I mentioned, the colors and texture are mind blowing.

Along the way

I loved that the architect incorporated the Jewish star into this Catholic Church. He got permission while it was being built. Very interesting twist. As Christ was Jewish. A bit of information I may have missed if we were not on a private tour.

So much for thinking the streets were wider than Rome!

Here are some pictures of Piazzale itself. It is lovely place to spend some time.

Entrance

Quite a few steps to the top, but quite "doable" for anyone in reasonable health.

The David "copy", a mere taste of what was to come later.

Vendors

I got a really nice jacket for 10 Euro! I wore it today and love it. The sizes were cut small so my husband did not get one. But it was well worth the money for mine.

More views. I took over 4000 pictures over 400 in Florence alone. It is so hard to pick which ones to post! Everything is so magnificent.

Once we met up at 8:30 we dashed right to the gangway and headed for the first shuttle bus. Tour buses can not enter the port at La Spezia. We got really lucky and ended up on the first shuttle out. Our guide was waiting with a sign.

We hopped in the Mercedes van and headed out.

A few sights along the way

We drove about 2 hours and stopped at Piazzale Michelangelo, a gorgeous scenic overlook. Our first sight of Florence was breathtaking. All the colors and textures as well as the Cathedral and Ponte Vecchio are magnificent. It was a gorgeous clear sunny days so the views were perfect. There were some vendors and I purchased a jacket. We spent about 20 minutes then headed for the old city.

Views of Ponte Vecchio

The Cathedral

Today was another very exciting day. We were hitting a couple more of my bucket list items. The David and Leaning Tower.

I went to get my coffee then headed right back to the cabin since we did not have much time. I went out to the balcony and our arrival to La Spezia was breathtaking. I am just in love with Italy.

I love this view forward. I think I loved this balcony even better than the one we had in Aqua theater suite. I just loved everything about it, location, size, view from inside and out. And this view this morning was magnificent.

The colors and textures of Italy.

Since we docked in La Spezia it was going to be another long day, since this port is quite a drive from Florence. I had arranged a private tour and the driver was picking us up at 8:45am. This was going to be tight since gangway opened at 8:30am. We made arrangements to meet our touring companions at Starbucks.

A few pictures in the Promenade while we waited.

This is best review I have ever read, it's almost like being there. Reading about trip made me decide that my husband and I will be going on the same adventure for his 70th birthday in 2 years, we have been to Europe. We will be going back on the Allure on next Sunday and I am even more excited after reading your review but I hope no purple bag people.

 

ann, in cloudy atlanta, ga

Hi Ann, Thank you so much for your kind words. I have gotten a few comments and I think or at least hope it is helpful, but was not really sure. I see a lot of views but few comments. People's interest keeps me motivated to keep writing. Have a wonderful time on Allure, she is a beauty and also on your future trip to Europe. We are planning on going back in two years, maybe we will end up on the same adventure. Thank you again.

After dinner we met up with a couple from my cruise group at the Schooner Bar. We were going to share a tour with them in Florence. After that we called it a night. Another early day tomorrow.

Here is a few more random ship pictures before I call it a night

Dazzles

Boardwalk at Night

Artwork

Dinner was at Chops. I think this was our best meal on the ship. This trip I liked it better than Giovanni's. Maybe I just had too much Italian food on land, LOL. I had scallops with bacon as my appetizer and shrimp with mashed potatoes as my meal. Tom had a shrimp cocktail and filet mignon. For dessert I had my favorite flourless chocolate cake and Tom had huckleberry cheesecake.

Appetizers Scallops and Shrimp

Main Course

Dessert

When we returned to the ship we grabbed a hot dog and waited for our cupcake decorating class. There is no Cupcake Cupboard, so the class was in Scoops. The class was cute. We made Owl cupcakes. We got to keep them and got a spatula and another cupcake. I would do it again. It was fun.

Tom is such a good sport! His came out better than mine, and I'm a baker. The queen of "cute food". LOL

Lovely picture of the two if you. From pictures you never would have known the gown wasn't new.

Thank you. :)

We had some free time to visit the Hard Rock and of course get our t-shirts.

Then we walked to fish market. As I said the mirror art blew me away.

I love European cities so much. The colors and textures are just phenomenal. I adore photographing them.

And some things are everywhere

More exterior views

Interior Views

Today we were in Marseilles France, the scene of The French Connection movie as most of us know it. It is a beautiful city. We visited the massive Notre Dame de la Garde. It sits high on a mountain with gorgeous views. The church is beautiful inside and out.

The view

Exterior View

After we returned from the trip we grabbed a couple of hot dogs in the dog house. We went to the room and showered. Tonight was formal night, but first Mamma Mia at 4:30. I knew it was great since we had seen it on Quantum. I was expecting to be less impressed since I had seen it already. Not so. It was better the second time. It was 2.5 hours with 15 minute intermission. As I said Royal has the best entertainment. No photography at all in this one.

By then we needed to change for formal night since we missed the first one.

I managed to squeeze myself into the gown I bought 34 years ago for my first cruise on our honeymoon. It is falling apart and I think this is the last go around for it. But I got into it and It is still is a beautiful dress. I'm glad I got to wear it one more time.

We dressed and went to promenade for pictures. The line for pictures with the Captain was too long so we skipped it. Dinner in the main dining room was good. No lobster in the main dining room on this trip. I forgot to take pictures of my food lol. Sorry.

After dinner it was off to bed. Another day of touring tomorrow.

We saw some sights going back to Palma and stopped at a Pearl Factory. I'm sure they are very nice but I'm really into man made pearls. So we watched them make them for a bit then headed back to the bus.

Some things are just the same everywhere