Port of Call Continued--Part 2
Villefrance, France
See our photos of the south of France by clicking here
We had planned this tour with Sylvie months earlier and had a great response from our Cruise Critic thread with six other folks who wanted to join us. They included Roger and Trish, Terry and Margie and Anthony and Rigo. We caught the first tender into port (yes, you tender there) and waited in the parking lot for Sylvie who was almost exactly on time. She greeted us with a smile, a map and we were off on our tour of the Cote de Azur.
Sylvie first took us through the quaint village of Villefrance that we had seen from the tender as we had come to shore. It was the nicest port we sailed into on the entire cruise. One of the few that was not an industrial port.
After our quick tour of Villefrance we were off to the top of the hill that separates Villefrance from Nice. From there we could take pictures down both sides of the hill into Villefrance and into Nice. We knew we were in a great neighborhood as we were stopped at an old fort that was right next door to Elton John’s summer home.
After that we ventured down into Nice where we first visited the largest Russian cathedral. (See what I mean about cathedrals--we had already been in five and this was only the fifth day of our trip.) The Russian cathedral was gorgeous, both inside and out.
After a 20 minute stop there we headed back into downtown Nice where we stopped at their
central, open-air market. It was a great market but nothing like La Boqueria in Barcelona. After Nice’s market and looking at the all the gorgeous food, Sylvie announced it was time for lunch in incredible Eze. Back in the van (with a few stops to take scenic pictures) we found our way to a tiny town built on a rock--Eze.
Sylvie had arranged for us to have lunch at a wonderful crepery just inside Eze. After lunch we had took some time to climb all over the hill and take pictures of the quaint streets and the incredible views.
Then it was back in the very comfortable van (no problem fitting eight of us as we had read earlier online) and off to enter our third country of the trip, the principality of Monaco. Sylvie pointed out as we headed there the place where Princess Grace had crashed her car in the accident that took her life. Then we entered Monaco and stopped above the city of Monte Carlo to take pictures of the track (actually city streets) where the Formula 1 race is held each year. 
After looking at those stunning vistas we went into the Monaco proper area, stopping to photograph the palace and tour the cathedral where we saw the graves of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier. Then back in the van again to drive the racetrack in Monte Carlo, see the famous casino and wonderful collection of cars parked outside and then off back towards the ship. On the way we went through two other small villages where the rich and wealthy come to play in the winter.
Our day with Sylvie was definitely the best day we had on shore and we would highly recommend her. If you are interested in booking Sylvie for a tour you can find her website by clicking here.
Livorno/Sienna, Italy
See our photos of Sienna by clicking here
We should have known that there would be a problem when Marco did not meet us but instead we were met by Francisco. Marco was supposed to be taking us himself as we had been told he spoke excellent English and lived in Sienna. Francisco, although a very nice man, barely spoke English and with me sitting with him in the front seat trying to translate, we headed off to Sienna.
We still had hopes that we would be met by Marco once we reached Sienna but that was not to be. After the two hour drive (during which Francisco got lost twice) Upon entering Sienna, Francisco drove up a one way street in the wrong direction and when a car came down the other way, he had to back up almost all the way out of the city. He then hollered out the window, “Excuse me, how do I get to the Duomo?” But the real kicker came when we arrived in Sienna and Francisco told us he would meet us to take us back to the ship at 3:30, handed me a copy of Rick Steve’s Tuscany and said Ciao!
We were astounded. We had contracted for a guided tour of Sienna and we got a car and driver who barely spoke English and who got lost both coming and going. But we made the most of it. We grabbed the Rick Steve’s book and walked the city. All in all it was great day as the rain stopped and the city and its Duomo were a truly amazing sight. We even found an astounding restaurant for a wonderful Italian lunch. One thing was timed correctly.
The Duomo has incredible etched and painted floors that are kept covered for most of the year. But at the end of August each year, they are uncovered for only two months. We arrived six days before they were to be recovered so we got to see what many never do in Sienna.
Then it was back in the van for the trip back to the ship. Did I mention that we were supremely disappointed in the fact that we had contracted for a guided tour and had basically gotten a car and a driver. And pretty much a driver who didn’t have half a clue where he was going. On the return trip, he got quite lost leaving the city as well as not being able to find the ship when we returned to the port.
In the strongest terms I want to caution you about doing business with Marco Minati who does business as TuscanyTours.net. Our experience was totally negative and we felt like we had been thoroughly deceived by him as to what we would receive for the amount of money we paid. Even though we made the best of a bad situation there were a few times we were a little worried about getting back to the ship. And to be honest, I felt totally responsible for the tour as I had booked the tour. Our other Cruise Critic friends were gracious beyond belief and I thank them profusely.
To continue with our ports of call review, click here.
