Unpacking Only Once

Being the “golden-agers”, we like the idea of traveling to multiple destinations while unpacking only once.

A couple of weeks ago, a group of the "mature folks" in their early 70s from NTUMC1968 class together with their spouses took the opportunity to enjoy a long-planned "Mediterranean Explorer Cruise", sailing from Barcelona to Rome.

The shore excursions include St. Tropez (France), Monte Carlo (Monaco), Livorno (Italy), Naples (Italy), and the Mediterranean Islands: Calvi of Corsica, Olbia of Sardinia, and Palermo of Sicily.

The adventures bring the cultures, tastes and unique experiences to life.

Signature Suite

 

Full course dinner at the two-tiered Dining Room

 

A view from the balcony

 

On the deep blue Mediterranean Sea

 

Adventure sailing to ....... .

 

Barcelona, where the journey began, is a busy, yet beautiful and historic city

 

From up hill, a panoramic view of Barcelona 

 

Overlooking our cruise ship

 

Arc de Triomf

 

 Casa Mila, known as "La Pedrera" (the stone quarry),  a Gaudi's creation constructed between 1906 and 1912.

 

Sagrada Familia Church, a church too big for picture, is the most famous of all Gaudi's creations. The construction was commenced in 1882 and its completion is anticipated in 2026.

 

Model of the cathedral

 

One of its inside views

 

 Park Guell, where Gaudí turned his hand to landscape gardening.

 

   Poble Espanyol, "Spanish Village", built for the 1929 International Exhibition to show off models of the architecture specific to each region in Spain.

 

Santa Maria de Montserrat, a Benedictine abbey located on the mountain of Montserrat in Catalonia, Spain.

 

 Many of the tourists travel there only to see the statue of the "Black Madonna"(Mary)

 

 

Villages of Provence, France, "stone village" with cobblestone paths and alleys.

 

Narrow winding alleys with old stone houses.

 

"Provencal" garden village

 

The flowers I have also seen in my neighborhood in Napa 

 

Port Grimaud is an old simple fishing village. It was a windy day.

 

The medieval village of Eze, Monaco

 

A bus tour to Nice from Monaco

 

While enjoying a panoramic view of Monte Carlo, the Principality of Monaco, we heard the roar of cars racing coming from below.

 

A historic event 

 

Monaco Cathedral, Princess Grace's wedding church

 

 

The Prince's Palace of Monaco

 

Birthplace of Christopher Columbus, Calvi, Corsica

 

 

 Is this the place?

 

 

The Tuscan Village of Lucca

 

Festival dedicated to Giacomo Puccini & his music in Lucca.

 

 

Baja Sardinia, overlooking the golden coastline

 

Scenic Costa Smeralda, Porto Cervo, Sardinia

 

Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.

 

Palermo, the regional capital of Sicily

 

 Palermo Opera House - the Opera House from the Godfather III.

 

Sorrento, a charming coastal town overlooking the Bay of Naples

 

The narrow alleyways of the old town

 

A town church 

 

Ruins of the legendary Pompeii, where the ancient Romans once lived.

 

On a fateful summer morning in 79 A.D., Mount Vesuvius buried the vibrant Roman city of Pompeii.

 

 

 

Arch of Constantine, built in 315 AD

 

Roman Colosseum,  the amphitheatre that’s built from 72-80 AD

 

Spanish Steps, monumental stairway of 135 steps built in 1723-1725

 

 Monument voor Victor Emanuel

 

Fountain of the Four Rivers, Piazza Navona

 

The ancient Pantheon, dedicated to all the gods of pagan Rome, built between A.D 118 and 125.

 

Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City

 

St. Peter's Basilica

 

 

 

 

The End of the Tour !

 

 

 

It was a memorable trip, and a mini-class reunion with the old folks.

 

 

Yeh Tze