Mediterranean Cruise and Riverboat Cruise

Hi everyone, 

I am sorry that I have not been active since middle of March. 

I was on holidays for 5 weeks.  I left on 27/3.  Just before everyone home wanted me for different things, e.g. babysitting, orders, Probus needed to be up to date.  In other words, I was just frantic before I left. 

Anyway, Rachel, from https://stampinpals.blogspot.com/ and I travelled together for 5 weeks.  We cruised around the Mediterranean for 3 weeks, then river cruise between Budapest, Slovakia and Vilshofen in Germany for 8 days. Yes it was amazing trip.  Rachel and I had this type of trip planned separately prior to Covid.  However they were cancelled. Well, I can now tick the Vatican, Gibraltar and Spain off my bucket list.  We visited many other ports that were equally interesting and even spectacular.

We left Australia, on 27/3, both very exhausted.  However, we were very excited or at least I was.  I’m sure there was a bit of apprehension for both of us as we left our husbands home.  My husband, does not like travelling much, so he stayed home and looked after Dash, our dog.  I dreamed of seeing the Mediterranean for a number of years. 

We visited Hadrian’s Castle, just outside of Rome. It seems that he was a very active emperor in his time.  His name was mentioned many times during our trip.  The above photo is the barracks of the soldiers who lived and worked on his property 

Corfu, one of my many arches. 

This is the inside of Pantheon. This building is in Rome and it has the largest unsupported dome in the world. 

We spent 3 nights in Rome.  Each evening we went to the same Italian Restaurant across the road from our hotel.  

Our first photo on our cruise ship, Majestic Princess. This was our home for the next 21 days. Goodness me, how do you select a few photo from 21 days around the Mediterranean. 

Corfu. You might notice soon, that I have a thing for arches. 

Ephesus, truly magnificent.  The size of the excavation is mind blowing.  

Piazza on the ship

Ancient Corinth.  This wasn’t as showy as Ephesus but equally as interesting . 

Some well worn stairs in Pompeii. 

Inside the Vatican.  Magnificent!  I went to about a dozen churches.  I’m not a fan of churches.  However the Vatican trumped them all.  A number of years ago, a friend from church suggested that if I ever had a chance to see the Vatican, do it.  He loved the Vatican.  Well I can say that I have seen it.  Truly magnificent!

More stairs, but this time, these stair are in Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre, probably my favourite area. 

Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre

Sunset from the ship

Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, Barcelona.  I was told this was a ‘must’.  We couldn’t get tickets to go inside.  The tickets were booked 4 days ahead. When we were in Barcelona, our ship was one of 6, so there were an extra 24000/25000 people.  It was o so busy 

Alicante, Spain.  This was a gorgeous little city, plenty of money about.  Large boats in the harbour.  It was first time the Majestic Princess docked here.  When we left the Captain played the horn music, something that they play sometimes.

We leave the ocean cruise and transfer to an 8 day river cruise from Budapest to Vilshofen, Germany

A village, as we sail past on the river boat.

A house, as we sail past on the river cruise. 

Another arch.  I took over 700 arches, including arch stained glass windows.  A lot of arches.  I haven’t been able to work out where this one is, yet. 

Tulips in Vienna

Creeping Tom, Bratislava

Bratislava 

Bratislava 

Budapest, at night.  

Budapest.  Our river ship is the first, navy blue.  We travel with Avalon Ulumination. . 

A lady in Budapest national costume.  She was very tall.

I was away 5 weeks.  During those 5 weeks I walked 320646 steps, an average of 8222 per day.  I am home again now.  It will take some effort for my steps to be close to my average over the last 5 weeks. 

This is only a handful of 3500 photos that I took while away.  I had a magnificent time, enjoyed Rachel’s company and would do it again in a heartbeat.  However I will probably have to wait a couple of years.