Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Sea Day 2012-11-05

CARNIVAL BREEZE - A Fun Day at Sea,
November 5, 2012
Sunrise: 7:44am - Sunset: 6:23pm
Captain: Stefano Battinelli
Chief Engineer: Cesare Boldrini
Hotel Director: Ana Maria Dumitru
Cruise Director: Jaime Dee

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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Rome, Italy, 2012-11-04

Civitavecchia, November 4, 2012:
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Civitavecchia is a town and comune of the province of Rome in the central Italian region of Lazio. A sea port on the Tyrrhenian Sea, it is located 80 kilometers west-north-west of Rome, across the Mignone river. The harbor is formed by two piers and a breakwater, on which is a lighthouse. The name Civitavecchia means "ancient town".


Rome, November 4, 2012:
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Rome is a city and special comune ("Roma Capitale") in Italy. Rome is the capital of Italy and the capital of Lazio (Latin: Latium). With 2.8 million residents in 1,285.3 km2 (496.3 sq mi), it is also the country's largest and most populated comune and fourth-most populous city in the European Union by population within city limits. Between 3.2 and 3.8 million people live in the Rome urban and metropolitan area. The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy. Rome is referred to as "The Eternal City", a notion expressed by ancient Roman poets and writers. (Source: Wikipedia)


Vatican City, November 4, 2012:
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The Vatican City, one of the most sacred places in Christendom, attests to a great history and a formidable spiritual venture. A unique collection of artistic and architectural masterpieces lie within the boundaries of this small state. At its centre is St Peter's Basilica, with its double colonnade and a circular piazza in front and bordered by palaces and gardens. The basilica, erected over the tomb of St Peter the Apostle, is the largest religious building in the world, the fruit of the combined genius of Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, Bernini and Maderna.


Roman Colosseum, November 4, 2012:
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The Roman Colosseum is the most famous monument to have survived from the classical world. It was built nearly two thousand years ago for the purpose of hosting violent gladiator games. Thousands of men and animals fought for their lives in the sandy arena. A few gladiators and warriors found glory there. Some even found fame and riches but many more died an anonymous death, providing entertainment for eager Roman spectators.

The powerful associations and images evoked by the Roman Colosseum express both the majesty and might of the Roman empire. It dominates the space it occupies, towering above the surrounding Roman streets and buildings. It is a symbol of the imperial might and architectural ingenuity of the Roman empire that dominated the ancient Mediterranean world for centuries. The story of the amphitheater and its gladiator games from their origins through the zenith of their development and into the decline and eventual fall provides a unique insight into the evolution and fall of the Roman empire itself.

Emperor Vespasian, founder of the Flavian Dynasty, started construction of the Colosseum in 72 AD. It was completed in 80 AD, the year after Vespasian's death.

The huge amphitheater was built on the site of an artificial lake, part of Nero's huge park in the center of Rome which also included the Golden House (Domus Aurea) and the nearby Colossus statue. This giant statue of Nero gave the building its current name.

The elliptical building is immense, measuring 188 m by 156 m and reaching a height of more than 48 meters (159 ft). The Colosseum could accommodate some 55,000 spectators who could enter the building through no less than 80 entrances.

Above the ground are four storeys, the upper storey contained seating for lower classes and women. The lowest storey was preserved for prominent citizens. Below the ground were rooms with mechanical devices and cages containing wild animals. The cages could be hoisted, enabling the animals to appear in the middle of the arena.

The southern side of the Colosseum was felled by an earthquake in 847. Parts of the building - including the marble facade - were used for the construction of later monuments, including the St. Peter's Basilica.


Saturday, November 17, 2012

NAPLES ITALY 2012-11-3

Arrive in Naples Italy
November 3, 2012:
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POMPEI ITALY:


The city of Pompeii is a partially buried Roman town-city near modern Naples in the Italian region of Campania, in the territory of the comune of Pompei. Along with Herculaneum, Pompeii was partially destroyed and buried under 4 to 6 m (13 to 20 ft) of ash and pumice in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.

Pompeii was lost for nearly 1,700 years before its rediscovery in 1748. Since then, its excavation has provided an extraordinarily detailed insight into the life of a city during the Pax Romana. Today, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Italy, with approximately 2,500,000 visitors every year.


November 3, 2012: In the Destroyed City POMPEI (This city was destroyed on August 24, 79 A.D. by the eruption of the active volcano Vesuvius)
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Vesuvius is the only active volcano in mainland Europe, and has produced some of the continent's largest volcanic eruptions. Located on Italy's west coast, it overlooks the Bay and City of Naples and sits in the crater of the ancient Somma volcano. Vesuvius is most famous for the 79 A.D. eruption which destroyed the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Though the volcano's last eruption was in 1944, it still represents a great danger to the cities that surround it, especially the busy metropolis of Naples.


Pompei Live!



Pompeii - Buried Alive
Two-thousand years ago, Rome was an all-powerful empire and Pompeii was one of its prosperous provincial towns-until Mount Vesuvius exploded in the largest eruption ever recorded. In a matter of hours the thriving city was entombed under a thick layer of ash and debris, undiscovered for centuries.




Pompeii Rediscovered:



Movie: Pompeii - The Last Day
The history of the eruption that buried Pompeii.



SORRENTO ITALY
November 3, 2012:
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Sorrento, Italy

Situated on a terrace overlooking the splendid Amalfi coastline, Sorrento is imbued with charm and echoes of the ancient past. Its position is perfect, affording a stunning panorama of the bay of Naples, but its list of attributes is replete. Parks, villas, orange, lemon and olive groves, picturesque narrow streets and resplendent weather, have ensured a steady stream of visitors to the town throughout the year and over the centuries. The town does suffer irregular building projects, but even this has not greatly overshadowed its rustic sea side town appeal.

The name of the town has its origins in antiquity and derives from a Greek word meaning "Flowing" due to the form of the town which appears to flow over the limestone tuff on which the town stands, defining the edge of the cliffs.

Curving along the coastline, erosion has carved the rock-face over the centuries into the majestic crags which climb to the skyline, forming the world renowned beauty of the Amalfi coast. Its legendary origins derive from the word Siren or Mermaids, mythical feminine creatures with celestial voices and hideous aspect, whose hands and songs lured unsuspecting sailors to the terror of the rocks, breaking their ships and wreaking romantic and tragic havoc.

Sorrento's history is connected to the ancient Island of Lipari, originally colonized in 8 B.C. by Corinthians who, exploring the lands, later settled in neighboring Sorrento. With the arrival of Imperial Rome, Sorrento was allied to the Romans, and to this day, the city centre bears testimony in the classically Roman layout of the streets to the presence of the Empire.

In the Middle Ages Sorrento fell into the hands of the Goths and the Byzantines, but resisted and repelled the advances of the Lombards of Benevento despite a siege. Due to Sorrento's proximity to the sea however, it was often raided and sacked in the 1500's by Pirates and sailors from the Harbor Town of Pisa, which led to the construction of the numerous watch towers along the coast.

Sorrento's charm lies in part in its sun drenched rustic simplicity. Quaint artisan workshops packed together onto a maze of medieval alleys, with the inevitable mix of locals and tourists bustling through the centre. The long shadows cast across uneven cobbled streets from overhanging balconies and terraces which almost meet overhead. Just enough space remains for washing to be strung out to dry Italian style from above, spanning the street in the Italian afternoon sun.


Sorrento, Italy - Travel Snapshots HD:



The Three Tenors - Torna a Surriento:



Andrea Bocelli - Torna a Surriento (Batumi)



Luciano Pavarotti - Torna A Surriento



Chris Connor - COME BACK TO SORRENTO



Trở Về Mái Nhà Xưa - Lời Việt Phạm Duy
Trần Thái Hòa & Ngọc Hạ trình bày:



Thursday, November 15, 2012

Elegant Evening 2, Carnival Breeze

Carnival Breeze
November 1, 2012:
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Carnival Breeze, 2012-10-31

Carnival Breeze
October 31, 2012:
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Carnival Breeze - Dubrovnik

Carnival Breeze
October 30, 2012:
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Carnival Breeze - A Fun Day at Sea

Carnival Breeze
October 29, 2012:
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Carnival Breeze - Elegant Evening

Carnival Breeze
October 28, 2012:
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Carnival Breeze - Livorno

Carnival Breeze
October 27, 2012:
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Carnival Breeze - Sea Day

Carnival Breeze
October 26, 2012:
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Carnival Breeze - Barcelona

Carnival Breeze
October 25, 2012:
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Carnival Breeze
The Carnival Breeze Boat


Barcelona 2012-10-24

Barcelona, Spain
October 24, 2012:
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Barcelona is Spain's second largest city, with a population of nearly two million people, and the capital and largest city of Catalonia. The city, located directly on the northeastern Mediterranean coast of Spain, has a rich history dating back at least 2,000 years when it gained prominence as a Roman town under its old name, Barcino.

In 1992, Barcelona gained international recognition by hosting the Olympic games which brought a massive uptick to the tourism industry in the city. This had the effect of changing the city in ways that are still felt today with neighborhoods renovated (and in some cases leveled) and the intense focus of modern design permeating all aspects of life in Barcelona from public buildings to something as simple as a park bench or an event poster. For visitors, this has translated in to the very modern, yet incredibly old city you see now in the 21st century where the new elements work to both preserve and celebrate the ancient.

This beautiful city is full of what European cities are known for (outdoor markets, restaurants, shops, museums and churches) and is fantastic for walking with an extensive and reliable Metro system for more far-flung destinations. The core center of town, focused around the Ciutat Vella provides days of enjoyment for those looking to experience the life of Barcelona while the beaches the city was built upon provide sun and relaxation during the long periods of agreeably warm weather.

Paris, France, Day 3

Visiting Paris, France
October 23, 2012:
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Tour Guides


Mua Thu Paris - Cung Tram Tuong & Pham Duy - Thai Thanh:



Paris, France, Day 2

Visiting Paris, France
October 22, 2012:
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Paris, France, Day 1

Visiting Paris, France
October 21, 2012:
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