Live Review NCL GEM 11/6-11/13 Lots of Pictures Plenty of Random Thoughts Pre Cruise Adventure in Venice

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Day 6

Naples

quick walking tour 60 minutes of the immediate area.

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Day 6

Naples Umberto Plaza. Very beautiful inside full of history!

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Day 6

Naples

 

Not your typical McCafé back at USA

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Day 6

Naples

The Palace and the church across 

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Day 6

 

Naples

 

Complimentary slice of pizza…. Pizza was invented in Naples this was good but not great and I am not comparing it the pizza at home either.

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Day 6 Naples

 

In search of old town and great pizza!

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Day 6

 

Pizza Michelle the oldest pizzeria in Naples and best ever pizza !  5 Euro for a whole pie… but you need patience and time … or do take away and eat it on the street… I did take away and wow it was amazing… I did not eat both pie.. I did 1.5 😂 look this place up … it is a hike from the port but you get to take in old town so it’s worth the effort!

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Here’s a video tour of Spinnaker I made for a friend of mine.

[Kathscof]

20 hours ago, AstoriaPreppy said:

 

It's not just Americans. Venice has a love/hate relationship with tourists like few other places in the world. Also, Venice is expensive because everything has to be brought in from the mainland or lagoon, and there's finite space. It's not a gouging dopey tourists thing... locals deal with the same issues. 

 

It you keep that in mind, you'll probably have an amazing time. I'd recommend reading or watch Rick Steves' content on Venice (and most other places in Europe). He offers very realistic perspectives on the city.

 

Love rick Steves! Haha

 

i get that love/hate relationship and the prices for the bringing things over....

 

@65Mommy , it is at least worth it once.....though not really great on a cruise ship stop (hopefully you would be at the beginning or the end?) because the best time there is at night after all the day trippers have left.  For me, it was pretty, but I don’t need to go back (as Italy is a big country and there are so many places I haven’t been, currently OBSESSED with Lake Garda haha).  I didn’t like much of the food and after searching all over, i revolted against the northern Italian food (because I am a southern gal haha) and had an AMAZING meal at one of my favorite southern Italian chain restaurants.  I got into a tiff (aka got angry, paid him and walked off) with a gelato stand guy when he made me the more expensive thing of what I was asking him, and that seems to be my impression of the city.  THOUGH......anyone have that delicious rope candy with colorful outsides and white-ish insides?  Couldn’t find that anywhere else after I went to Venice 🙂 

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Day 6 Naples.

 

Shopping around old town after pizza 

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Day 6

 

Blazing Boots 

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Day 6

 

Cagney’s 

 

it was so good I went back again instead of trying Le Bistro.  I have now tried every appetizer, salad, soup on the menu !

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Day 7

 

Florence / Pisa

 

I did the Florence and Pisa on my own tour and I loved it!  I already knew where everything was and what I wanted to see so I enjoyed the freedom.  If you don’t know and want to see as much as possible please consider the selfie tour.  That will cover all the major attractions with a guide plus a little free time.

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Day 7 Pisa

 

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Day 6

 

Its impressive to see… now off the Florence … 90 minutes drive to Florence 

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Day 7

 

Florence… they make you stop at the leather factory because they have an agreement with the shop to let you use the bathroom for free but you can get out of it if you want but just make sure you know the meeting time and place otherwise it is $300 taxi fare to go back to the cruise port!

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Day 7

 

Florence … after I got the secret handshake from the guide off on my own …have about 4 hours of free time to do what I want

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Day 7

 

Lunch at my favorite spot in town … had it last year when I was here… still amazing!

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Day 7 

Florence

 

The panini craze is alive and well here… I would not stand in line for paninis but to each is their own!  I have a guy lol that makes the best sandwich in town!

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Day 7

Florence

 

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Day 7

 

Santa Maria Basilica 

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Day 7

 

Florence

 

I did not get to walk the old bridge last time due to lack of time but I did it this time… it’s nicer than the Rialto bridge in Venice…

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Day 7

 

Ufizi Gallery

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Day 7

 

My sandwich / wine / vinegar guy in Florence iL Buffalone 

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Day 7

 

Florence at night