Here are some recent photos.
You may notice that in the Taorimina photos there are 2 pictures of the ship's tender coming back to the ship. Look close and you'll see that Capt. Dag and some of my fellow passengers are riding the tender on top!! How fun would that be on such a gorgeous day... I took that from my balcony as they were approaching. Also, forgot to mention that while we were in Taormina one of the shop owners' dog had puppies 3 weeks ago that we got to see and hold.

Here is the link for Taormina pictures (with captions):
http://picasaweb.google.com/petlovermarcie/TaorminaItaly07?authkey=vo1Pq1aP_ok

Here is the link to Hans' Birthday Murder Mystery Party (I added captions to these so you'd know the various characters)
http://picasaweb.google.com/petlovermarcie/HanSBDayPartyMurderMysteryParty07?authkey=OdUhv2ZmMoU

Had a great day in Florence today....more about that later!

Great shots. Taorimina is one of my favorite ports.

Hans party looked like so much fun. I still marvel at how you all get these costumes for these parties you have. Give the birthday boy a hug for me please.

Marcie - Taromina looks so goreous!!! We will be stopping there on the 2008 b2b - I can't wait. You will have to tell me where you had that wonderful looking lunch with such a great view!!

Great pictures.

I love Taormina as well and will be going back in May. Not as part of a cruise but for work. Anyway, it will be wonderful.

The pictures were really nice.

Thanks.

Sorry - edited to remove duplicate posting

More great Marcie pics! You and Tom look fabu. Thanks for posting.

This is better than Travel & Leisure or any travel magazine. Taormina is gorgeous...must put that on my "places to see" list. Loved the party pictures! What a life!

We loved Taormina, too. It was a favorite port when we cruised on VOF.

Great reporting and pix, Marcie!

Can't wait to hear more stories on the 30th.
Lynn
PS Do I need a wig for TAP?

Yesterday we independently went to Florence on the train. It was a piece of cake, 1 hr. 20 minute ride for 12 Euros per person, round trip VS. $89 for the RSSC transfer on the bus to Florence.

We hit the highlights....Accademia Museum where we saw Michelangelo's David and other gorgeous art work dating back to 1300's, Piazza del Duomo with the gorgeous cathedral with the golden doors. We rode a city bus around Florence just to take it all in and walked most places. We had a nice lunch and later ice cream cones. We found Florence very doable on our own.

Here are the last two links to our photos.
Ischia (gorgeous island near Sorrento):
http://picasaweb.google.com/petlovermarcie/IschiaItaly07?authkey=uwVgAyHtraI

Florence link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/petlovermarcie/FlorenceItaly07?authkey=IaEFn7hph-0

Today we're in Monte Carlo....the first day of our last segment :mecry: :mecry: :mecry:

We also took the train to Florence one of our trips. Our only hiccup in that adventure was trying to catch a bus to the station right outside the port. We wanted to use a bus so we had the experience of all the local transportation. First we could not figure out what number bus to take. We got that all worked out. Primarily because one of our group read and spoke a little French or we may still be sitting there trying to figure out which number bus to take.

Then we could not make the machine that sells the tickets work. Everyone was taking a turn at trying to figure it out and of course the men thought the second we ladies would get out of our way they would have it figured out in a minute.

Finally a local came along - looks at our with distain and said "Ahhh - tourists - these machines have not worked for years - you just pay the bus driver"

We were laughing like crazy at this point and I have a picture that brings all those memories back. I saw it as I went through all my pictures a few days ago.

On the way back we took a cab from the station to the ship. At some point you admit defeat and take the easy route.

Loved your pictures Marcie. The ones of Florence brought back memories of our day there on WINE, it was one of our favorite cities, and we hope to go back someday soon.

Ischia looks absolutely wonderful. We may have to keep that in mind, as we stop in Sorrento on B2B, although we have only been there once and did Pompeii, so there are lots of other options for us at this point.

Hope you continue to have a great time. It is just plain miserable here in DC today, cold, really windy, rainy - I think this may be the coldest Spring we have ever experienced in all our 22 years here. At least your pictures warmed me up, with all that sun.

Marcie, thanks for posting your photos.

Nancy