The recent family trip to Italy was filled with memorable moments, including 27 church visits, 12 gelatos, and numerous family selfies. Highlights included Mass at St. Peter’s, biking the Appian Way, and exploring Rome’s history. The trip encapsulated family bonding, with a special dinner concluding the adventure together.
Today, we celebrated my grandson Simon’s birthday by biking on the historic Appian Way, built in 312 BC. This ancient road, lined with cypress trees and ruins, offers a unique perspective of history. Our family enjoyed quality time together in Rome, filled with memories and stories, before some head back to the US.
We visited Pompeii today. We took a train to Naples and then had a tour bus pick us up at the train station and take us to Pompeii. There we met our guide and she took us through the ancient city. Tucked near the Bay of Naples, the ancient city of Pompeii tells one of…
The Vatican Museums, established in the early 1500s by Pope Julius II, showcase a vast collection of art, featuring classical sculptures, Renaissance masterpieces, and the Sistine Chapel, renowned for Michelangelo’s ceiling. Despite the crowds, the visit is a profound journey through history and art, culminating in the inspiring beauty of the Sistine Chapel.
The next day we boarded a train and headed to Rome. All of the grandchildren loved riding the trains. JP said it was the favorite part of his trip. We arrived into Rome, took the Metro to our VRBO apartments (3 in the same building). The apartments are close to the Metro, on a…
The next day we got up early and took a water bus to the train station and boarded a train to Assisi. We had a stop in Padeu and we visited Basilica of St. Anthony’s . Padua (Italian: Padova) is one of Italy’s oldest cities, founded by the ancient Veneti around the 12th century BCE.…
Nana and the family are embarking on a Jubilee vacation to Italy, commemorating a promise made 25 years ago during a previous trip. The journey starts in Venice, a historical city known for its canals and art, where 26 family members gather. They enjoy sightseeing, dinner, and a gondola ride before heading to Assisi.
The blog invites readers to take a quiz about the World Cruise, testing knowledge on destinations visited. Answers can be found through research or previous posts. Topics include unique wildlife, historical sites, and cultural events. Participants are encouraged to submit their answers for grading, aiming for an engaging experience.
Yesterday marked an emotional farewell as the crew organized a heartfelt send-off. The journey concluded in Fort Lauderdale after 124 days and 37,379 miles, with special moments and experiences shared. While sad to leave new friends, there’s joy in returning home. Future blogs will shift focus to trains and family visits.
Nana showcased her watercolor paintings and performed at the guest talent show during the cruise. Following this, the family explored San Juan, appreciating its history, vibrant architecture, and warm atmosphere. They enjoyed local culture, tried a GPS-guided app, and savored piña coladas before preparing to disembark. Two more blogs are planned.
Papa Top 5 – 1st Half Nana Top 5 – 1st Half
The author recounts their delayed arrival in Tangier, Morocco, where they enjoyed the “Tangier Highlights” excursion. They explore the city’s rich history and cultural blend, visiting Cap Spartel and the vibrant Old Medina, experiencing local cuisine, and anticipating upcoming ship activities, including a talent show and blog updates.
Today, we met our son-in-law’s parents in Portugal while on a cruise. After navigating a city-wide power outage during lunch, we enjoyed city exploration and gifts exchanged. Despite delays due to the outage, we returned to the ship before departure. Tomorrow, we arrive in Tangiers with time constraints.
Alicante, rich in history spanning over 7,000 years, transitioned from prehistoric settlements to a vibrant Mediterranean port under various civilizations. Today’s excursion revealed the charming Old Town, Baroque Cathedral, and storied Castle of Santa Barbara. Experiencing local culture, including Las Hogueras de San Juan, enriched our visit before heading to Lisbon.
Yesterday, we arrived in Barcelona, enjoying a castle dinner and a significant Mass at Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudí’s iconic basilica, still under construction since 1882. After exploring the bustling city on electric bikes, we experienced a lively party with our sister ship, featuring a spectacular drone show. Tomorrow, we travel to Alicante.
papa carney 