We are in Barcelona today on another scorching day - I love it!
Since leaving Cartagena - Oceanans have enjoyed a day at sea followed by the ports of Civitavecchia (for Rome), Livorno (for Florence), and Monte Carlo.
It was good to catch up with my good friend Louise O'Connor in the Shore Excursions Department. Louise went to the excursion a Taste of Tuscania from Civitavecchia - this is something different for all those people who have been to Rome before.
Les and Anne Cooper - excited about their trip to The Eternal City............Here is what Louise had to say...............
I escorted a wonderfully scenic tour, ‘’Taste of Tuscania’’. I can highly recommend it as an alternative half day excursion for anyone who has been to Rome before. Our guide, Luca was excellent, knowledgeable, had a good sense of humour and was well liked by the ladies!
We left Oceana and took motorway to get to the medieval town of Tuscania. Gradually we reached the vast Etruscan countryside which was full of olive trees, fields, and vineyards. We passed by several stunning country houses. Luca advised us that much of the countryside was used in the 1950s by Italian film directors who made spaghetti westerns.
On arrival at Tuscania Lucas gave us the option to do our own thing or to stay with him to have a guided tour of the town. Not surprisingly, most of the ladies stayed with Luca to be guided through the town and gardens! We then had some free time to wander the cobbled streets and sit by the fountain to enjoy a cool drink and soak up the atmosphere.
We left Tuscania travelling through the countryside and arrived at the picturesque farmhouse.
The owners were waiting to welcome us and escorted us to the dining area. The tables were beautifully laid with breads, bruschetta, ham, cheese and olives. There was a selection of flavoured oils and olive pastes. We had a choice of red or white wine or water.
The food was freshly made at the farmhouse and absolutely delicious!
We had chance to purchase the flavoured oils, olive pastes, honey and wines at their shop. We also had the opportunity to wander through some of the guest rooms and enjoy the views across the countryside.
I spoke to all passengers on our way back to Oceana and they were very impressed, especially with the farmhouse. Many passengers said the farmhouse was beyond their expectations which was great to hear. It was a delight to accompany this excursion and get to know the passengers. It’s great to be back on Oceana and enjoying the job.
My thanks to Louise for her time and photographs.
Best wishes meantime from Oceana..............(it's me in the Atrium - in case you are wondering....)!
My thanks to Louise for her time and photographs.
Best wishes meantime from Oceana..............(it's me in the Atrium - in case you are wondering....)!
Bye,
James.
We cannot control the wind, but we can adjust our sails..........
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7 comments:
Nice photographs James, especially the one of you centre stage in the atrium, where was everybody (in their beds) ha ha... Loved the tales from the tour that included the lunch, reading the blog always brings back many happy memories for me, and I am sure a lot of other readers too, I must say on the tour from Arcadia that we took to Sienna and San Gimeniano the farmhouse they took us too was fabulous as well, complete with swimming pool with views over the beautiful countryside of Tuscany. Roll on the rest of your blogs, I LOVE THEM....
Cheers
Mary K. AKA Scottylass!!!
Just read your little saying about "We cannot control the wind but we can adjust our sails
" trying sitting in Hotel California with a force 10 rattling through on the N.W.C.O.S.
there is nothing you can adjust there James LOLOL...
Cheers
Mary.K.
Hello James
Welcome back. Been to Cornwall for a very long weekend (Fri to Tuesday). Down at a place called Marazion (opposite St Michael's Mount) and close to Penzance. Even took a trip to the Lands End! No glorious photos from me though. As per usual the weather has been absolutely glorious until Tom's brother and his wife go on holiday to Cornwall and invite us for the weekend ;-0)
Anyway, I have today to get myself turned around as I'm off to Southampton tomorrow to join Natalie on Aurora for 2 weeks. She went back in May to help out as there was a shortage of LFCM's and has extended to Sept 5th. On my favourite ship too ;-0)
I see you are on my least favourite of the current fleet this time. Having said that I had the best cruise ever on that ship! It's really odd to say that but it's the way it was. My actual least favourite of all time is the old Arcadia (I know a lot of passengers loved her), but she did nothing for me!
Anyway, I have lots I should be doing and not be sitting here on the pc. I only came on quickly - and I seem to spend hours on here! I will catch up with you when I get back (hopefully nice and tanned and with my own photos)!
Bye for now
Elaine (aurorabore)
xx
Hello Scottlass,
Always good to hear from you and the Laird! Hope all is well north of the border - is there anywhere you have not been to that you would love to visit on a Cruise?
Best wishes,
James.
Hello Elaine,
Good to hear from you - I thought you had given up on the blog!?? I once visited friends in a counrty house near to St M M - it was a very long drive from Southampton on a May Bank Holiday weekend - I did not realise that Saturday was the change over day for all the holiday lets - it took me about 6 hours to get there. Needless to say the journey was well worth it and I loved the scenery. It reminded me of the Emerald Isle in many ways - the pace of life and the beautiful scenery - and yes - it rained..... Give my best wishes to your DD - and I hope we can all sail togehter again soon - regards to Tom.
Best wishes,
James.
Hello James
Yes there is actually, Id love to cruise up Milford Sound in NZ, not sure that I will realise that dream though, another place that I keep writing in those questionaires that P&O give is, when are they going to do a cruise that goes to Bermuda, we spent 2 weeks on our silver wedding anniversary there and its one of the most beautiful places, I think it would be a geat one for Adonia because only smaller ships can go right into the capital Hamilton, all the larger ships dock at the Navel Dockyard which isnt as good. The magic is being docked right on Front Street, you come down the gangway, cross the road and you are right there in the shops, when we were there it was the old Song of America that was docked in town and one night they closed off front street to traffic and had bands, horse carriages, stalls, fairground rides, seeing that shipped docked there was the trigger for me to try cruising.
A good itinerary would be down to Madeira, then maybe one of the Canary Islands, cross over to Bermuda (there would have to be at least 3 or 4 nights there) 2 in Hamilton, then one up to St. George's on the other side of the island, then back to Hamilton for the last night, then cross over to the Azores and back home again. That would be my DREAM itinerary.
I just hope that P&O would consider it one day.
Cheers
Mary K.
Hi James,
Its good to have you back, although the others did good blogs none as good as yours!!!
Our friends were on Arcadia's world cruise earlier this year and we were able to follow them through you. We were on Azura's maiden and you sent a message to us from them. We are going on Oceana on 6th Dec and are disappointed to learn that you won't be on board as we had hoped to meet you.
Meanwhile keep on blogging.
Margaret & Harold
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