One year ago I was celebrating Memorial Day on a Mediterranean Cruise with Dave, my brother and my sister-in-law. It was a trip of a lifetime and I'm so fortunate we were all able to go. I had never been abroad (one of my biggest regrets is not going abroad in college), so seeing so many places was extremely special to me. We embarked on May 27th 2010, starting in Barcelona, Spain. We stayed there for a few days before boarding the Ruby Princess cruise.
We went to Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Monaco, Cannes, Florence, Pisa, Rome, Naples, Capri, Pompei, Mykonos, Istanbul, Ephesus, Athens and Venice. And it was amazing. If you ever get a chance to go on a trip like this I highly recommend it. We saw so many amazing places in such a short period of time!
Here's a look back...
Barecelona Spain: Highlights: Las Ramblas, La Familia, Park Guell, Guadi...Paella, Sangria...
Monaco and Cannes: Highlights: Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Royal Palace, Old Monaco, Cannes, Red Carpet, Crepes, Mussels, Nutella Crepes...
Florence and Pisa Italy: Highlights: Dante, Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Galileo and the
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Rome: Highlights: Visited the ruins of the Forum, Sistine Chapel, Bohemian Quarter...
Capri, Sorrento, Pompei and Naples: Highlights: Amalfi Coast in Capri, Cliffs overlooking Bay of Naples in Sorrento, Limoncello. Pompei: Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79AD and buried the city of Pompei. We visited the fascinating ruins in the once thriving city. And Naples- home of the pizza...oh. and Gelato. At every stop.
Istanbul, Turkey: Highlights: Visiting the Hagia Sofia, Tokapi Palace and Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. Also ate amazing Turkish food...
Mykonos, Greece: Highlights: BEACH and Greek Salad. (Tip, there is no lettuce in a real Greek Salad). AMAZING. It was a half day excursion so we spent the rest of the day on the boat, hanging out and watching a movie on the roofdeck.
Athens, Greece: Highlights: Acropolis, The Plaka, The Temple of Olympian Zeus, Old Olympic Stadium, Temple of Poseidon, Ancient Agora, Ancient Corinth. Greek Food! More Greek Salad, Cheese Pies... etc.
Ephesus, Turkey, Highlights: Walked down the marble road to the ruins of this Roman capital. We saw the Odeum, the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, The Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theater. Food and beer was also amazing.
Every night we ate dinner around 8pm in the Formal dining hall. We enjoyed drinks, appetizers, dinner and dessert every night inspired by cuisines from all over the country. We indulged. And it was worth it.
Cruise Life: Highlights: Formal Dinners, Hanging out by the Pool, Eating, Movie Watching, Cruise Games, Drinking and Amazing Sunsets...
And our last port- Venice, Italy. Highlights: St. Mark's Square and Basilica, Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, Gondola Ride, San Giorgio Church and Italian Food. Amazing. I loved loved loved Venice!
Did I convince you to book a trip yet? This is a really affordable way of seeing multiple countries in one trip. It was a life-changing adventure and I'm so happy I was able to enjoy it with my husband and my brother and his wife! Hope you enjoyed my trip down memory lane...
Have you ever been on a Mediterranean Cruise? Been to Europe? What's your favorite place?
Wow! That looks like an amazing adventure. I also regret not studying abroad in college, we should have gone to Prague! Did you feel like you had enough time in each place or would you go back and explore some of the places you went again? I'm going on a big trip in August, London and Paris just me and the hubs, then hiking Mount Blanc (through Switzerland, Italy and France) with my brother-in-law and hub's parents.
ReplyDeleteThat trip looks and sounds incredible! I want to go on a cruise so badly! I loved Europe when I went backpacking, but I'd love to go back on a cruise and actually relax (and not stay in hostels...) My favorite place was probably Florence. I loved everything about it and it was from there that we drove to take a bike tour of Tuscany, which I will never forget. I absolutely love your picture collages - so cool!
ReplyDeleteLooks like an incredible trip. I've never taken a cruise but have always loved my experiences abroad. My husband and I say if we ever win the lotto we are doing a Mediterranean tour starting in Portugal and going through the South of France, Italy and Greece. We'll see about that!
ReplyDeleteYour trip looks amazing! What a fantastic vacation shared with your favorite people. I would love to go to the Mediterranean someday. Savor all those special memories!
ReplyDeleteYou've totally convinced me! Can you share where you booked your trip through?
ReplyDeleteLooks like so much fun! I have never been on a cruise or to the Mediterranean. So pretty!
ReplyDeleteI've never been on a cruise, I'd love to though! I have been to London and Australia though, both amazing places!
ReplyDeleteWow, I don't love cruises but this one sounds incredible. I've been to many of these spots and I concur that they're not to be missed! I miss Europe!!! :)
ReplyDeleteLooks AMAZING!!! I've been to Europe twice, and this brought back Honeymoon memories!! WE went to Athens, Santorini, and Rome and it was incredible, I want to go back ALL the time!!
ReplyDeleteYou took so many amazing photos, I love the collages!! I never had much desire to take a cruise, because I want to stay in once place for a longer time than just a day. BUT I like the fact that you got to see so many places. I'm going to Spain in Sept and your Barcelona photos make me excited for it!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos. Each collage really gives you a sense of what each place was like. I've been to Europe once - Germany, Italy (including Venice), Switzerland and Austria.
ReplyDeleteI'm DYING to go to Greece. Running blogger trip, anyone?
I love all your pictures! It looks like a trip of a lifetime. I've never been on a Mediterranean cruise but have been to Europe a few times.
ReplyDelete@Meg- I have ADD so having less than 8 hours at each place worked for me! Now I know what places I have to go back to : ) And we should have gone to Prague. Stupid track, hehe
ReplyDelete@Kim I just booked online through Princess cruises!
Awesome, thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat a trip of a lifetime! All the photos are gorgeous and you and your hubby make such a nice couple! I especially loved the photo of the pizza in Naples. mmmmmm........
ReplyDeleteDawn
Florida Coastal Cooking
I've only been on a Caribbean cruise. I have been to Europe, however. I spent a semester in London in college and then I've also been to France, Spain, Ireland and Italy.
ReplyDeleteHi, new to your blog.. I kinda love it! :) I was in Italy last year, Rome and Venice, and thought it was absolutely beautiful! What an amazing trip tho! And all the pictures are great!
ReplyDeleteSuch an amazing adventure :) I remember looking at your med cruise photos about a BILLION times. So gorgeous! I want to go on this exact trip with my mom because it seems like the best chance to see as many cities in the shortest period of time. Don't fret over not studying abroad in college, I didn't either! It was more important for me to be able to swim 4 full seasons after shoulder surgeries and PT for essentially all four years of HS! I think you and Dave should plan another trip somewhere fabulous sometime soon!!!
ReplyDeletePS I love that your bro is wearing an SEAC shirt :)
ReplyDeleteAhh, I have never been on a Mediterranean cruise but it's honestly my dream vacation. One day I hope!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are incredible and it looks like you had an amazing time. So exciting!
i am super jealous. your trip looks incredible! destination marathon in the Mediterranean? i'm in.
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are really awesome, but my dear friend unfortunately I am here to search some information about ordered greek food and turkish food online. If you know any information about it, then please suggest me. Thanks.
ReplyDelete