Beautiful Bracciano - Italy

Greetings from our Mediterranean cruise due south of Menorca!

This morning it was unusual to wake up and see the rain! However by mid morning this had cleared and the sun has now come out! Hooray! The air temperature is dropping by the day. We have been thoroughly spoiled on this Grand Voyage escaping the UK winter. I have been to choir practise this morning under the direction of Gary Glading. We have over 60 choir members and they are singing joyfully. I will be accompanying them for the Easter Sunday Service tomorrow so we all know what we are doing - I think! You know me I always like a big finish!

Graham was on tour yesterday from Civitavecchia and here is his report...........


So here we are back in familiar waters amidst the smiling faces of the people in Italy. It does feel a little strange to be here after all of our globe trotting to some of the Grand Voyage’s exotic ports. However, it is always a great pleasure to be back in Civitavecchia where we can once more travel into Romantic Rome and to some of the other perhaps less well known towns in the region.

One such place is Bracciano, this little town has received many more visitors following the wedding of Tom Cruise not so long ago.

The weather was absolutely fabulous for our arrival and once off the coach we were soon climbing the walkways to gain access into the castle. The owners place restrictions on taking photographs within the rooms of the castle which is a great shame as I am unable to show you the beautiful painted ceilings in all of the rooms, most of which date from the 14th century. I can thoroughly recommend that you book this tour to come and see for yourselves.

Our passengers were able to explore much of the walls and from where we had superb views out across the lake and the town; this castle must have been a simply wonderful setting for the wedding. Ones thoughts also drift back to Isabella Medici who also used to live here.
Having toured the walls and many of the rooms we walked down into the kitchen area where the great banquets would have been prepared centuries ago, I suspect that the feast that Tom Cruise enjoyed was not prepared here !

All too soon we were strolling back into the town to rejoin the tour coaches that transferred us to the quay for our boat ride across the lake to the little picturesque town of Trevignano.
The passengers certainly enjoyed this sojourn across the lake soaking up the glorious scenes all around. There is no doubt about bit Spring is simply a wonderful time of the year no matter where you are, Italy, England or wherever. Everything feels fresh and invigorating after the winter.

Trevignano was bathed in sunshine as we approached and we were itching to get ashore and explore a little the quaint alleyways of the town. Having enjoyed a stroll and a flavoursome cappuccino we had to drag ourselves away and drive back to the ship. What a simply lovely way to see the Lazio region and there is no doubt we all enjoyed the experience.

Thank you for that Graham.

Graham has his last port talk today in The Palladium Theatre for Vigo. Our passengers have so appreciated Graham's contribution to this Grand Voyage. It has been a pleasure working with Graham over the past three months.

Hope your Easter Weekend is going well. The Easter display attracted a lot of attention and admiration in the Atrium Foyer this morning.


Bye for now,
James.

Friendship's field is large and full of variety.

Exploring the city walls.

View of the town from the castle.

Views from the Castle.

Strolling back to town - just love the old cobbled streets - full of atmosphere.

Spring colours as we cross the lake.

Enjoying the boat trip - can't get enough of this water business!

Walking the Castle Walls.

The Castle Kitchens - not quite Mark Wilkinson!

A hidden alley off the main street.

Charming Bracciano.

The Castle on top of the hill.

Approaching Trevignano.