Venice - Italy

The Doges Palace in St Mark's Square.

Morning sunrise over Venice as Arcadia makes her approach.

Building glow in the morning sun.

Passengers line the Starboard side of deck 10 for arrival into Venice.

So much to see on the sail in.

The Jewel in the Crown - St Mark's Square coming into sight on the Starboard Side.

The entrance to the Grand Canal.

St Mark's Square.

A local Church.

The Venice Vaporetto service - public transport.

Interesting facades.

More churches.

A canal at Stazzione Marittima - close to the ship.

If ever you were looking for inspiration - look no further!

The Italians love their style - there are lots of silverware shops.

The Rialto Bridge - one of the most famous in the world.

The Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge - lots of lovely restaurants here under the red covers.

Just one Cornetto - give it to me............Gondolas galore.

St Mark's Square - always exciting when you enter - no where else in the world is quite like it. The epicentre of world culture.

The Doges Palace with it's Gothic arches and delicate marble facade. This is not any old trip to your local superstore!

Detail, detail, detail.

Awesome. Check the blue sky!

We operate our water taxi service from the ship to this area.

I think it was Oscar Wilde who said that St Mark's Square is the finest Drawing Room in Europe.

Another stunning view.

The Bridge of Sighs - as you have never seen it before - renovations are going on hence the blue covering.

This is where I did my first Venice Fly Cruise turnaround in 1983 on the Sea Princess ,which became Victoria. We used to do check in using passenger card tables and stacking chairs! No lap tops then or fancy check in desks...........we have moved on.

Endless beautiful doors and surrounds.

A builders barge!

The world famous Daniele Hotel.

Straight on down and on the right is Harry's Bar.

Lots of designer shopping on offer.

Style and quality among all the tourist shopping.

The Grand Canal from the Academy Bridge.

Arcadia is flying her dress flags for our call at Venice. Always a welcome sight.

The sun setting over Venice on Friday evening - Arcadia was built about 10 minutes away from here.!!

Hello again,

Last Friday we sailed into Venice at 0730 hours and Arcadia was alongside her berth by 0830 hours. Everyone was very excited as we were on an overnight call, sailing at 1730 on the Saturday. It was a little misty when we were sailing in, but this soon cleared and it was the most perfect day for sightseeing and taking pictures. After all the morning business was sorted I set off on foot with my camera and I hope you like these shots of our Venice cruise.

I stood in Venice, on the Bridge of Sighs: A palace and a prison on each hand.

Lord Byron 1788 - 1824 English Poet.

Venice has been long revered as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Venice lies at the head of the Adriatic Sea in the salt - water Laguna Veneta. The city is build on 118 small islands and connected with a unique network of canals and Bridges. There is lots to do! There are ten different excursion to choose from - why settle with one? We also ran a new tour this time to Verona - this is one I would like to do sometime as I have never been to Verona and I am told that I would love it! Friends of mine went to the Murano Glass Factory and the island of Burano - again something I would like to do. However I love to wander around on my feet and absorb all that is Venice, including their marvellous hospitality.

Ciao,

James.

Dubrovnik

A view of local homes as Arcadia approached her berth.

Hello Everyone,

What a super day we enjoyed in Dubrovnik last Thursday. Dubrovnik is a unique place and you cannot help but get yourself absorbed in all the history of the place. All was running smoothly on board, and as I have not been into the centre of Dubrovnik for a number of years now I decided it was time to reacquaint myself! I offered to treat Mario our Passenger Services Manager to lunch as he has been very busy recently - so he agreed. We were lucky to be the only ship in port on the day so we roamed around with ease.

Tour dispatch! Our passengers are all boarded and ready to depart on their ' Dubrovnik by land and sea tour'.

They are up for it! Our passenger give me a friendly wave for the blog.........

See how easy it is - the tour boar was just forward of Arcadia.

The Hilton Imperial Hotel - looked pretty impressive.

The main gates to the old walled city - me before I bought a Panama Hat.

Spot Mario to the right in the checked shirt. Pity the Guards - it must have been very hot in those tights!

People gather to enjoy a band playing tunes on drinks bottles.

Once you get through the main gates this is your view of the marble streets.

It is great fun to climb the City walls.

Check this for a door surround. Everywhere you look there is a feast for the eye.

Morning Coffee at the Cafe Italian - a business meeting!

Churches galore.

Check out the plaster moulding.

Now that's what I call a Rectory.

The Cathedral - side view.

The Cathedral entrance.

The Harbour area where we were to lunch on the first left.

Mr Asa Murphy - our guest Singer on board - enjoying some time ashore. Asa will be home in the UK now. Best wishes to you Asa!

You just never know who you will bump into ashore - the Professor and his wife who are also my dinner table companions in The Meridian.

The ARSENAL Restaurant.

We took a glass bottom water taxi back to the Arcadia.

The City Walls.

I wonder who lives here?

This Hotel was in all the news reports when the conflict was on.

The paparazzi are everywhere!

A lovely Villa on the coast - one of many.

As we approach Arcadia there is a great view of the new bridge and the ship.

The beautiful Arcadia alongside her berth.

Arcadia head on..........

Walking back from the boat we got this unusual view of the ship.

The Dalmatian Coast is worth a visit - I hope you enjoyed my photographs,

Best wishes,

James.

If your vision does not cost you something then it is only a daydream.