Boarded tender immediately at the disembarkation point on Deck 3. Very calm seas. Crew as usually exceptionally helpful. Tender looked very old and tatty but it got us to the port safely. Villefranche a delightful typical Cote D'Azur resort but is quite hilly. Went straight to the train station 10-15 minute walk (last bit steps and a steep rise. Got double-decker train to Monaco (approx 15 minutes). Very clean and comfortable with air con. Walked down from the station to the Hotel de Paris and Casino - very busy. Then walked down to the harbour for a stroll round. We had cappuccinos and were only charged 2.5 euros each. We were absolutely amazed at how cheap this was. As we were at the harbour and a long way down from the rail station we decided to get the bus back to Villefranche but whilst we were waiting at the main bus stop on the harbour we noticed an SNCF (trains) access just behind the bus stop. This was an air-conditioned corridor that led to a series of escalators or lifts which brought us up to the platform level. Very clean and safe. Absolutely brilliant. Word of warning - when you buy your rail tickets make sure you validate them at the little yellow machines - if you don't you can be fined 50 euros on the train. Fare 5 euros return. When we got back to VF we had a lovely cold drink on the harbour and a stroll round this lovely little town. We could have got the train in the opposite direction to Nice. 
On previous visits we have stopped at Eze - a gorgeous resort on the way to Monte Carlo. Served by both train and bus. A lot less hectic than Monte Carlo with a very nice beach. 
All in all a lovely day. 


Villefranche

Although I have put Florence in the box the port is actually Livorno. The main excursions and places of interest from here are Florence and Pisa. We had a stroll round Livorno in the morning. You have to use the port bus to get out of the port gates. Typical port with a canal system. Neat and clean. Some nice shops in centre. 
In the afternoon we went on a Thomson trip to Lake Puccini and Pisa. This involved a short coach trip through some very nice Tuscan countryside to a small lakeside village where Puccini lived. The lake is called Puccini locally probably for tourist publicity. The trip advertised a leisurely cruise on the lake with commentary and Puccini's music to include wine and biscuits. The kindest way to describe the boat is "a bucket". The captain was a tad scruffy and pongy. The boat had some inside and outside seating. We sat on the outside on a white PVC garden bench which had seen far better days! We had a little bit of commentary and then listened to a soprano singing Puccini arias for 45 minutes whilst the boat chugged round the lake and as we were at the back we were treated to heavy diesel fumes - delightful. The "glass" of wine was in fact served in thimble sized polystyrene cups and tasted like cheap sherry. The "biscuits" were almond flavoured broken bits offered to us from a cardboard box. We then had a quick tour of Puccini's house (very small) and were ushered into the gift shop. Then on to Pisa. On arrival at the coach park surrounded by African hawkers. Quite intimidating. 15 to 20 minute walk into Pisa. Had an hour to take some pictures and a quick look around. I think this trip was about £34 each for 3.5 hours. A bit pricey for what we actually got. Not much mileage involved. 


Florence (Livorno)

Again this is a large industrial port serving the Rome region. It is an easy walk into the town centre or there is a free bus. We didn't do a Rome excursion as they were either too long or just whistle stop coach tours that didn't stop just slowed down to look at the attraction. Instead we chose a half day tour to Lake Brancano. About an hour through some lovely countryside. Had a really good guide. Price included a tour of the 16th century castle - I heard someone say that it is where Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes got married but the guide didn't mention this. It is a steep walk up to the castle and there are quite a few stairs inside. Views over the lake are beautiful. The little town is very pleasant and looked to us like it was an escape haven for the city people of Rome. We then went onto a lakeside fishing village which was very pretty. Couple of bars and restaurants and an ice cream shop. Just had to have one - would have been rude not too! This for us was a lot better value for money. I think it was £26 each. 


Rome (Civitavecchia)

Ship berths on the harbour - only a couple of minutes walk into the town. As it was a Sunday most of the shops were closed. All the bars and cafes along the front were open along with a couple of tourist shops. We didn't do any excursion as the one we had planned to do was not available. There is an open top bus and le petit train doing tours of the town. Not as pretty as I thought it would be but nevertheless worth a visit. There was a little open market very close to the ship which was quite interesting. There is a fort which is still in use by the French military. If you follow the road past it you come to a nice promenade. 


Corsica (Ajaccio)

5036 - spacious, very clean and looked to have been recently refurbished.  Standard outside with porthole.  We had a mini fridge, plenty of wardrobe and hanging space.  Drawer space.  Desk top with TV.  Two small bedside cabinets.  Showeroom with very powerful shower, nice wash hand basin unit and efficient loo.  Air conditioning was very poor and despite 3 calls to reception didn't improve throughout our week.

Another 2 bars - one had a good trio on and the other a pianist A further lounge with classical duo Disco Card room library Kidzones (these were closed as in June no under 16's allowed) 
Shopping - a little shop selling essentials, books etc, duty free shop and clothes shop.We went to Sirens on Deck 11 - much better lay-out and not as busy.

Marella Dream Review

The Dream did good !!!!!!!

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