Off We Go! Spain, France, Italy, Malta
May 1, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 43 °F
Our flight got changed to a much earlier one with two layovers. I was nervous about a one hour layover at O'Hare but our first two flights both got in early! Yay for small blessings!
Éowyn and IRead more
Hotel Penninsular
May 2, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F
Our hotel for the night is older and not the fanciest, but check out the most amazing inner courtyard I've seen.
Folks are nice, it's clean and quiet, and about 2 min off La Rambla. Near the cruiseRead more
La Rambla
May 2, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F
We got in at 9:00 and have a day to fill before we can sleep! Had the nicest driver from the airport and he'll come back to take us to the airport tomorrow.
We're staying right off of La Rambla. WentRead more
Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar
May 2, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F
We saw this church built by the people before, but this time we went in. I'm so glad we did. It's a stunning example of gothic architecture and so peaceful.
It's so touching that the people thatRead more
Caganer
May 2, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
Just...read up.
I especially found King Tut's golden contribution amusing.
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The caganer is one of Catalonia’s most peculiar and beloved Christmas traditions, offering a cheeky contrast to theRead more
I Can't Stop Taking Pics of Streets
May 2, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
Willow got a hand painted fan, and almost got a really amazing pair of Alice in Wonderland type shoes.
Cathedral of Santa Eulalia
May 2, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
A little bummed that the antiques market in this plaza is gone now. Still a beautiful church!
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The Barcelona Cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia,Read more
Temple d'August
May 2, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
This is the highest point and one of the oldest points in Barcelona. It gives me chills to actually be able to put my hands on something that Romans were standing on to lecture in the forum at theRead more
Mercat de Sant Josep - La Boqueria
May 2, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
It was sooooo crowded at dinner that we ended up just shoving through crowds, but I love the hustle and bustle of this place. Had some fresh juice, street tacos, salmon roll, gelato, andRead more
Embarkation on the MSC World Europa
May 3, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
Embarkation was so simple! One of the bonuses of a European itinterary on MSC is that people embark and disembark at nearly every port - the ship just makes a perpetual circuit (Malta being anRead more
Heading on the cruise ship
May 3, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F
Dinners in the Main Dining Room
May 3, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F
You are assigned a time and table to eat in the main dining room included in the base fare. Each night, you have the same waiter who gets to know your preferences. For example, they are bringing DadRead more
Family Photos
May 3, 2024, Iberian Sea ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
Chocolate Shop on the Ship
May 3, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
Unfortunately this isn't included, but the chocolates look amazing.
I really want to eat one of those holey spheres.
Sunset on the Costa Brava
May 3, 2024, Iberian Sea ⋅ 🌬 63 °F
What a beautiful evening heading north out of Barcelona! It was lovely to see all of the little seaside towns lit up at night.
I think I managed to spot Tossa de Mar where we'll be staying for theRead more
Exploring the MSC World Europa
May 3, 2024, Iberian Sea ⋅ 🌬 63 °F
This ship is HUGE. Very stable, and the Mediterranean is so smooth right now. If you are prone to seasickness, try a megaship! The Promenade in the center of the ship is so fun - like a little cityRead more
MSC Photos - Willow's Goth Photo Shoot
May 3, 2024, Iberian Sea ⋅ 🌬 63 °F
We've never done a photo package before but I'm so glad we decided to for this trip. The photographer really loved Willow (obviously) and took a ton of pictures of her.
Bellissima!
MSC Photos - Éowyn's Stitch Dress
May 3, 2024, Iberian Sea ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F
This was Éowyn's end of school year present and she was excited to bring it. They got such cute pictures of her.
Refueling the Ship
May 4, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F
This was kind of fun to watch. They were directly outside of our window so we ended up closing the curtains.
Ancient Greek City Center
May 4, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
Marseilles is one of the oldest settlements in France. There are ruins left at what used to be the shore, but the city has been built out since then. The natural harbor (protected from the wind) madeRead more
Marseille Walking Tour
May 4, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F
Cathédrale La Major
May 4, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
This cathedral was stunning. So much that it can be seen from the sea. The mosaic floor is completely hand cut and took over 8 years to create.
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Cathedral La Major, formally known as MarseilleRead more
A little bit more of Marseilles, France
May 4, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F
The old forts just reopened, and we saw churches that were over 1000 years old!
Our tour guide also filled us in on what to look for if we wanted to buy the famous soap - it should be green as it'sRead more
Leaving Marseilles
May 4, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F
I want to come back here someday and go to all of the islands!
Sunset from the Promenade
May 4, 2024, Western Mediterranean ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F
I really love this feature on a ship!
There are also promenade balcony cabins which seem pretty cool for someone who maybe doesn't want to be on the ocean *cough*willow*cough* but still wants someRead more












































































































































































































































