We enjoy Italy, we enjoy Celebrity, we enjoy time at sea. And so a TA from Rome on Silhouette was an obvious selection. We started with 4 days in Florence, then a day driving a rental car through the Tuscan hills down to the port. Transportation the next morning from our hotel to the ship was chaotic - too many big ships in port and the cabs were hard pressed to keep up. But we were able to share a minivan cab with two other couples headed for our ship, so it worked out.

Misty rainy windy weather on our way out of port that evening. We were notified that they would skip Lavorno in lieu of the more protected port of Lasizes. I understand that all tours that were to have originated in Lavorno were conducted out of Lasizes instead, so no big deal. We spent the day relaxing aboard. Next day was Toulon. Waterbus transfer from the ship to the city's waterfront. We went with a small group who had signed up for the ship-sponsored walking tour of the old part of the city. Very well done! After lunch on our own, we found a bus (#40 if I recall correctly) that took us up into the foothills and the teleferique. A nice gondola ride with beautiful views from the hilltop overlooking the city and the harbor.

Barcelona the next day. Wonderful city, deserving of a follow-up visit of several days. We took the ship's shuttle to the base of the Ramblas. Found a cab who would drive us around the several must-see spots on our list, and off we went. Cathedral, Sagrada Familia, Picasso museum... The cab dropped us at the head of the Ramblas, we had a leisurely walk to the waterfront with a stop for food and a pass through the market along the way. Still plenty of time before boarding so we took a 45 minute harbor tour on a small tour boat, then walked back to the shuttle bus stop. Read more