European Cruise

A 15-day adventure by Phillip Read more

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Trip start
September 17, 2023
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Day 1
Sunday, September 17, 2023 at 7:17 PM
🌧 19 °C
Altitude: 63 m
England Gatwick Airport 51.161354, -0.17694251°9’41” N 0°10’37” W
1
At the airport
September 17, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
Holiday starts here!
how big is that breakfast!!!! [Cecil]
9/22/23Reply
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Day 2
Monday, September 18, 2023 at 4:14 PM
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 242 m
Spain Fingerprint Sculpture 43.274594, -2.92131443°16’29” N 2°55’17” W
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Bilbao
September 18, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
The airline I work for cancelled my flight then rebooked me on a rival airline with extra leg room, departing 3 hours later! Bilbao is an interesting city to visit.
TravelerInteresting, have a good time x
9/18/23Reply
Traveler Wow I love that 😍
9/18/23Reply
TravelerBilbao is some where we want to go back to for longer
9/18/23Reply
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Day 3
Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 2:50 PM
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Spain Bilboko itsasadarra / Ría de Bilbao 43.340717, -3.02526443°20’27” N 3°1’31” W
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Embarkation Day
September 19, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Guggenheim Museum this morning, unusual art. Ready to sail this afternoon!
Traveler Have a great time
9/19/23Reply
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Day 4
Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 3:13 PM
🌧 21 °C
Altitude: Sea level
North Atlantic Ocean 43.604305, -9.78634943°36’15” N 9°47’11” W
Sea Day
September 20, 2023, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌧 21 °C
Captain and Chief Engineer Q&A - there’s a 3 metre swell so no outdoor activities today. Behind the scenes tour was very interesting - went into a kitchen saw how they prepare menu items, went into the theatre dressing rooms and backstage. Walked the length of the ship on the crew corridor, stopping for a tour of the laundry and the store rooms. Most of the stores are shipped from Miami, only fresh produce is bought locally. Saw the metalwork area and the meat preparation area - the beef I’m eating tonight!
Wines around the world tasting was very good, liked the Italians the best.Read more
TravelerIs anyone else on that boat 🤣🤣
9/20/23Reply
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Day 5
Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 3:25 PM
☁️ 24 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Portugal Alfama 38.708643, -9.12733538°42’31” N 9°7’38” W
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Lisbon
September 21, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Walking tour - Americans - when are we getting on the bus! Walked around the old town then the relatively modern area to contrast, listened to a lot of the history. Used the funicular to get to the top of the hill. Then left to explore by myself and find my own way back.Read more
TravelerI love a WALKING tour that doesn't involve a bus 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
9/21/23Reply
TravelerLooks worth a visit!
9/21/23Reply
Always loved Lisbon - best light in Europe!!! [Cecil]
9/24/23Reply
Is that Leicester Town Hall Square?? [Sarah]
10/2/23Reply
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Day 6
Friday, September 22, 2023 at 3:38 PM
☁️ 23 °C
Altitude: 6 m
Portugal Santa Bernarda Pirate Ship 37.138262, -8.53276937°8’18” N 8°31’58” W
Portimao
September 22, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Tender port - 20 minutes in a life boat to get to land. Tour of the Algarve region including stops in the towns of Silves - castle and Roman bridge and Monchique - nice views. Praia da Rocha - massive beach.Read more
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Day 7
Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 4:36 PM
☀️ 28 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Spain Cadiz Port 36.530979, -6.29040936°31’52” N 6°17’25” W
2
Cadiz
September 23, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Day trip to Seville, lots of walking around, the Spanish square is spectacular as is the cathedral. Walked by the river which was nice. There’s a bullring and an odd looking sculptural building.
Traveler Ice cream? 🤣
9/23/23Reply
TravelerIt was so good I had another one!
9/23/23Reply
TravelerCadiz looks stunning
9/25/23Reply
TravelerUnfortunately, no time for Cadiz. The photos are of Seville.
9/25/23Reply
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Day 8
Sunday, September 24, 2023 at 3:00 PM
🌬 22 °C
Altitude: 5 m
Gibraltar Number One Jetty 36.147785, -5.36622236°8’52” N 5°21’58” W
Gibraltar
September 24, 2023 in Gibraltar ⋅ 🌬 22 °C
Early start, caught the cable car to the top of the rock. Saw the monkey feeding station then into the rock. Through the Great Siege Tunnels. Very interesting, learnt that the term shrapnel originated from cannon balls fired from the rock. Enjoyed walking through the city.Read more
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Day 9
Monday, September 25, 2023 at 3:38 PM
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 4 m
Spain Motril Ferry Port 36.724193, -3.52514436°43’27” N 3°31’31” W
Motril
September 25, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Day trip to Granada. A place where I never quite got my bearings, I trusted google maps, found a massive cathedral so went in for a look. Visited The Alhambra, a palace and fortress complex full of Islamic architecture, never seen anything quite like it, amazing.Read more
TravelerI have heard amazing reviews of the Alhambra gardens & buildings
9/25/23Reply
TravelerSpectacular, I was lucky I had booked independently in advance, few on the day tickets available.
9/25/23Reply
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Day 10
Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at 4:11 PM
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 12 m
Spain Museu d'Art Contemporani 38.908289, 1.43604338°54’30” N 1°26’10” E
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Ibiza
September 26, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Took the bus over to San Antonio, couldn’t club, all closed on a Tuesday afternoon. Then got the bus to Playa d'en Bossa, very long beach, walked almost to the end. Found a nice section and had a swim and probably burnt bits I couldn’t reach.Read more
TravelerOuch ☺
9/26/23Reply
I think a all night rave is on the cards Phil.... :-) [Cecil]
9/27/23Reply
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Day 10
Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at 6:44 PM
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Spain Port Esportiu Marina d'Eivissa 38.906006, 1.44977938°54’22” N 1°26’59” E
Ibiza 2
September 26, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Quick lunch and then the bus into Ibiza town. Walked up to the fortress. 8.5 miles walked today.
TravelerI love your flowers - sea view photo 👍❤️
9/26/23Reply
TravelerDid you also like my lunch?
9/26/23Reply
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Day 11
Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 3:17 PM
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 1 m
Spain Punta Colomer 39.548741, 2.63478639°32’55” N 2°38’5” E
2
Palma, Majorca
September 27, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Flown here twice this month and now finally time to explore. Tour today with a stop at Bellver Castle (not Belvoir or Beaver). Next the town in the hills of Valldemossa - posh - Chopin music in the toilets, he lived here. Na Foradada - big hole, it’s not that big but beautiful views. On to Port De Soller, 32 years ago was when I last visited, remember the tram but that’s about it. Final stop was for La Escollera & Cathedral back in Palma - very quick, the bus was parked on double yellows.Read more
Never thought Majorca would be so lush - great pic! [Cecil]
9/27/23Reply
TravelerI’d definitely stay for longer
9/28/23Reply
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Day 12
Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 2:22 PM
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 19 m
Spain Sant Beltrà 41.363033, 2.18078841°21’47” N 2°10’51” E
1
Barcelona
September 28, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Spectacular views of the city from the top of Montjuic. Then to La Sagrada Familia (The Holy Family) Church. Begun in 1883, it is still unfinished. Another 10 years, some apartments to knock down then it will be finished.Read more
Hope you came back with some Happy Socks Phil - -50% sale is impressive :-) [Cecil]
9/28/23Reply
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Day 13
Friday, September 29, 2023 at 3:55 PM
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 32 m
France Pointe de Guerrevieille 43.294743, 6.60629943°17’41” N 6°36’23” E
Saint Tropez
September 29, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
A lot of the yachts have moved out of the harbour ready for sailing boats, there’s a race on Sunday. Walked the streets of the old town, looked in a couple of churches. Brought a towel but the Brigitte Bardot beach was disappointing so didn’t use it. Walked up the hill to the Citadelle with a museum with nautical exhibits & a scenic roof terrace. Took a boat ride to view the coast line and some houses - Brigitte Bardot was home - her birthday yesterday, 89. Finally to the Annonciade Museum, where the importance of Post-Impressionism is on vivid display in galleries housed inside a former chapel.Read more
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Day 14
Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 4:53 PM
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Italy Porto di Genova 44.109823, 9.83668144°6’35” N 9°50’12” E
La Spezia
September 30, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Had a walk through the streets, found an elevator and funicular to the castle. It had a museum inside which had artefacts from before the Romans. Back to the ship for lunch. Walking tour in the afternoon to the naval museum. More walking tour controversy - when are we getting on a boat, they left the tour! La Spezia was one of most heavily bombed places during World War Il. Very interesting torpedoes and submarines in the museum. Continuing on, walked to Piazza Cavour to sample a chickpea pancake, pizza and glass of Ligurian wine. Final part of the tour was to the city’s air raid shelter.Read more
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Day 15
Sunday, October 1, 2023 at 7:58 AM
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 5 m
Italy Torrente Fiumaretta 42.102781, 11.7812542°6’10” N 11°46’53” E
Civitavecchia
October 1, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Disembarkation Day. Final breakfast, final goodbyes to the friends and staff.
I feel your sorrow Phil... On the bright side your coming back to dodgy VAR and rampant shoplifting.... :-) [Cecil]
10/1/23Reply
Looks like an amazing holiday Phil. The next adventure will have a lot to live up to. Sue [Sue]
10/2/23Reply
Amazing photos Phil! You sure know how to holiday to the max! 🙌 [Sandy.]
10/2/23Reply
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Trip end
October 1, 2023