Pisa, Montecarlo, and Rome

Yesterday our cruise ship, The Norwegian Epic, stopped at the port of Livorno.  From there we went to Pisa, where we spent most of our free time figuring out goofy poses in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  From there we went on to a Vineyard in Tuscany in a little town called Montecarlo (the original - according to them the French version is a copycat).  There we learned how olive oil is made.  Virgin means the first press, which is a good thing.  Extra means gentle - close but not too close to the sea, which apparently can make the oil bitter.  The key label ingredients are "cold pressed", which means the oil was created through a mechanical means (that's a good thing), and 100% olive oil.  After that we got to taste 7 different wines (and by taste, I mean drink full glasses), the local olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and homemade pasta.  After the pasta we had the local sun dried tomatoes soaked in olive oil (so sweet!), the olives from the trees outside (they have to soak in salt water for about 6 months before they're edible), Parma Ham, Salami, and fresh Mozzarella cheese.  

The couple sitting next to me at the long farmhouse table decided to renew their vows right then and there.  They brought us all to tears with their heartfelt vows of gratitude for the love they shared.  Tuscany does that to you.  

Today, the port of Citivecchio, which is about an hour and 20 minutes from Rome.  We had to pick our sites to see, since we only had about 3 hours on our own.  We hustled and went first to the Spanish steps.  From there we threw our coins in the Trevi Fountain.  Legend says that 1 coin is to ensure you come back to Rome.  2 coins is if you wish to marry, and 3 coins is if you wish to divorce. The first time I was in Rome I threw a coin in and it worked, so of course I did again.

After the Trevi Fountain we hurried to The Pantheon, one of my favorites.  It was originally built in 26 BC, and is the oldest church in the world still in continuous use.  It's also the burial place of Raphael and the first king of Italy.  

On to the Piazza Navone, which is the only place in Rome you can buy Tartufo, a chocolate gelato with fresh whipped cream on top.  We enjoyed watching the people for a few minutes eating our ice cream before literally running to St. Peter's square.  We didn't have time to go in to the Basilica or the Vatican, but on our way in earlier the Pope was still outside giving his Wednesday blessing to the crowd, so I guess I can say I was blessed by the Pope.  

Tonight, we're exhausted!  Tomorrow we're doing Sorrento (a farmhouse where they'll teach us how to make mozzarella), and Pompei, the town buried by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius.