MED BLOG 01
Saturday Sept 13, 2014
Yeehaa! It’s happening again! We’re heading off with fun-loving, like-minded Kiwis on another journey through the Mediterranean … dropping in on several of the world’s great historic civilisations … poking our noses into a rich mix of fascinating cultures … sampling a make-your-mouth-water range of ethnic foods and wines … exploring exciting capitals, Riviera resorts, revered archaeological sites, charming coastal villages, whitewashed Greek Isles … enjoying sights and sounds and treasures that most people only dream of.
Come Tuesday (just three more sleeps to go!) we’ll be departing Auckland International Airport for a 24-day European adventure – sailing for 12 of those days onboard the 5-star Nieuw Amsterdam … with wall-to-wall meals, shows, entertainment and sightseeing.
‘MIDLIFE MADNESS ON THE MEDITERRANEAN’ is what we’re going to have. And our packed-full itinerary includes stopovers like these …
- beautiful, vibrant Barcelona (Spain), home of Gaudi’s architecture and the Montserrat monastery
- elegant Marseille (France), famous for its magnificent forts, palaces, fountains and gardens
- Nice (France) & glamorous Cannes (film festival location) on the scenic French Riviera
- Monte Carlo (Monaco), holiday resort for Europe’s jet-setters, royals and the Grand Prix crowd
- Livorno (Italy), gateway to the vineyards, olive groves and dusty, sun-baked hills of Tuscany
- the tower-filled fortress of San Gimignano, and medieval Siena with its narrow lanes and piazzas
- the grandeur of ancient Rome (Italy): the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, the Forum, St Peters Basilica
- Naples at the foot of looming Mt Vesuvius, and its famous 2000-year-old buried city: Pompeii
- picture-postcard Sorrento, perched high on rugged cliffs along Italy’s spectacular Amalfi Coast
- medieval Taormina (Sicily) — a traveller’s sight-for-sore-eyes, clinging to the edge of a mountain
- the idyllic Greek Island of Corfu (Kerkira), with its imposing fortifications and Old Town
- the stunningly-restored walled city of Dubrovnik (Croatia), a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- picturesque Kotor (Montenegro), the gem of the Adriatic, nestled deep in a gorgeous fjord
- alluring, magical Venice (Italy) with its music, romance, canals, bridges and gondolas
- Istanbul (Turkey) with its soaring domes, pencil-thin minarets, opulent palaces and Grand Bazaar
- the haunting World War 1 memorial sites and cemeteries at Gallipoli, Anzac Cove & Lone Pine
- recently-excavated Troy (Turkey) – legendary city (from 1200BC) of Helen and the Wooden Horse
Stay tuned, won’t you. Once we’re actually underway, Robyn and I will be adding fresh new entries and award-winning pix every day or two. And, with the help of emails, the Internet, and our son Mike back in Auckland, you’ll be able to share a little of our Mad Midlife adventure in Europe.
For now, it’s goodnight from her – and it’s goodnight from me!
Yours bloggedly – JOHN
Hi John and Robyn. Sorry we are not on this trip but our friends Vic and Ave are, so enjoy! Janet and Malcolm (aka ‘Whatshisname’
Wishing you all the best for a great trip. I think the Med is my favourite so far, so sure you will all have a wonderful time. Please look after Jeanette for me….she needs plenty of laughs to keep her going!! Ruth B (aka the pole dancer)
Sending a shout out to Nana Bronwyn and Grandad Jon! Every time we pull in or out of the driveway Tayla shouts “hi Nana and Grandad’s car!”….so you off on a fun adventure is never far from our mind. Look forward to seeing some more updates (and hopefully pics!) to help convince the kids that you are now off the plane! Tayla had her first haircut today – no tears and result is very cute curls. Hans chose to wear his birthday hoody from you guys today for the first time. Have posted the pic to Jon’s FB wall. Happy travels!