DL

When the moon hits your eye like a big Pizza Pie…it must be Napoli.  This birth place of pizza (that wonderful combination of the 3 basic food groups – starch, protein and vegetable) is like all the Mediterranean stops on this journey – another that we now enjoy a second time.  Our first visitation here … Read more

Rome…well not exactly. Civitavecchia is the port about an hour and a half from Rome and it is from here we leave on a wine-appreciation tour. Our little group (only 8 of us) piled into a comfortable van and off we went.  Skirting just past Rome we ended up at a vineyard just outside the … Read more

Livorno – gateway to Florence, Piza and the wonderful Tuscany region (yeah…another sea day yesterday).  In fact, it is the second largest city in Tuscany (right behind Florence). In 1881 the navel accademy was established here.   Navy personnel from around the world now attend to hone their skills and enhance their knowledge at one of … Read more

Barcelona…part of Spain and yet not wanting to be anymore.  (Ok…no day 13…it was a sea-day…had to investigate more….wine. 🙂 ) 2000 years ago the Romans built Barcelona and some of that remains to this day.  There are 4 native languages in this 2nd largest country in Europe (if you don’t include Russia) and a … Read more

Malaga…just because we docked by 7 doesn’t mean we have to get up by then.  With nothing formal planned, 10…ish…seems a more reasonable time to get off the ship. Today is just another HOHO day.  With two different lines going all around, in and out of the city, it seems like a good way to … Read more

Gibraltar…the REAL Rock!  Not a terribly big piece of British territory.  It’s only 2.75 miles by .75 miles and quite firmly attached to Spain at the one end.  The U.N has requested that Britain give up Gibraltar’s colonial status.  That was in 1996 and Britain has not yet done so. Even more interesting, in its … Read more

If it’s Wednesday, it must be…Lisbon, City of Explorers!!    And another time change, which seems odd to say the least.  We moved ahead an hour in Vigo, Spain (yesterday).  Today, almost directly south and we move ~back~ an hour.  Oh well… Up at 7 and out the door again by about 8:15.  Somewhat cloudy and … Read more

Vigo, Spain – the City of Emotions.  A little northern Spanish city that has given us the nicest weather we have had to date.  Although it is only 11 c at 8:30 in the morning, the skies are clear and it feels much warmer. A quick bite and off the ship for…more walking.  With no … Read more

Yes the time zone change reminder was on the pillow and yes it was read.  But, when not acted on, then breakfast might get…missed.  Especially when preceded by days of almost endless walking and fresh air. Might, of course, is the operative word.  There are so many selections in every one of the 14 eating … Read more

The Ship…is….really, really….big.  In the grand scheme of things it is not the biggest cruise liner on the oceans today.  That designation belongs to Royal Caribbean and likely to remain in their firm grasp for quite some time.  It is, however, Princess Cruise Lines largest and most technologically up-to-date. This is The Royal Princess and … Read more