MSC Orchestra Eastern Mediterranean Live Trip Report

Glad you arrived safely! How are you posting pics? Directly from tapatalk? Looking good!!

The spread was decent for an included continental breakfast, here are a few more pics.

Those pastries were really the highlight! Assorted breads too, cheese spread, hams. It was impressive.

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Glad you arrived safely! How are you posting pics? Directly from tapatalk? Looking good!!

Yup-free wifi too here.

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This is the courtyard area of hotel-mostly used for smokers. It was a nice evening do we sat out there for a bit, no one was smoking there at the time. One thing I noticed here is smoking is popular and people dress better.

We went for an early evening walk and there was a nice outdoor age on Ave de Liberdade, we got espressos and DD got a banana yogurt shake

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Thanks for the live report.

Looking good!

We had dinner at a local restaurant that served authentic Portuguese cuisine. The food was delicious and the place was very quaint.

Melon and prosciutto

Veggie in puff pastry

Baccalao (codfish)

Stuffed squid

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Some more pics from today, all the streets in this area are cobblestone, very pretty

Hotel rep gave my DD another one of these, so delicious.

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First day has come to end.

Tomorrow is another busy day. Booked a full day tour on Viator. . stay tuned....:)

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Day 2 was full of surprises. Good thing I'm a go with the flow type gal.

Today we did a tour of Fatima, Batalha, Nazare, and Obidos.

We chose a full day tour with Viator. We met at the Hard Rock and it was a total of 7 in our group. Tour guide was good.

Here are some photos from today: Batalha

Then we headed to Nazare for lunch

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Caprinha

Fish soup which was like a bisque, tasty

Octopus salad

Strachiatella for dessert

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Then we headed out to Obidos

Tree man

Example of items for sale around this town, which is a pedestrian friendly walled town

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So the surprise came when we got in for the evening. I called reception desk to schedule the taxi pick up for the morning to the airport. He then told me we have to pack and move hotels as they had a water problem. I laughed as the night before we were joking around and I thought he was now pulling my leg. Turns out, he wasn't. There was a water main break and all guest were being moved.

So now I find myself spending our last night in the 5 star Intercontinental Hotel instead of the 3 star Holiday inn.

Sometimes you have to roll with the punches, it was an inconvenience, but they took care of everything and these beds sure are comfy![emoji18]

Here was our old room

I bought these at Obidos, only 6 euros. Also had espresso coffee twice for only 75 cents. Portugal is very affordable.

Tomorrow we fly out to Venice.....[emoji7]

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You can certainly see the difference between 3 and 5 stars! Nice surprise for you.

Slept so well last night and Han an awesome shower and breakfast. I've heard of the Intercontinental Hotel from John herald who stays in the one in Miami and it is quite deserving of its 5 stars. Some pics of lobby and breakfast spread:

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My breakfast

My DD's

We then headed to airport, 12 euros for taxi.

They served lunch.

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We finally arrived to Venice!

Took the Alillaguna 15 euros pp. took about an hour to reach our hotel, which is AMAZING!

As I said earlier, we are staying in a restored 16th century palazzo. Our room came with a terrace [emoji7]

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Beautiful canal next to our hotel

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We are going to recharge now, shower and head out for the night. Checked with reception, going to a gelateria first and then a late dinner.......

Stay tuned. [emoji4]

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Ahhhhhhhh beautiful Venice, oh have I missed you. I can feel the charm from your photos. Lovely!

Thank You! Venice looks so lovely.

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Are the pics big enough, too big?

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Are the pics big enough, too big?

 

 

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They are perfect size!

Are the pics big enough, too big?

 

 

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They look great!!!:D Keep them coming!!

Tonight we found this little gem per recommendation of concierge

I got the nocciola (hazelnut) and pistachio

Then we hit some stores. Of course Venetian masks everywhere!

Beautiful

My dd had fun trying a bunch on

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