Day 1: Arrival in Barcelona

Our overnight flight arrived in Barcelona at around 10 AM local time, which is six hours ahead of Eastern Time. This meant it felt like 4 AM to us, and we felt every minute of it. It was too early to check into the Alexandra Barcelona Hotel where we were staying, but the hotel allows you to drop off your luggage and will contact you as soon as your room is ready.

We took a cab from the airport to the hotel. Cabs are very easy to find and inexpensive in Barcelona, and they all accept credit cards. While car services are available, I find cabs to be a simpler and more convenient way to get around the city.

After dropping off our luggage, we went for a walk to explore the area and enjoyed a nice lunch. Our afternoon plans included a pre-booked Tapas and Wine tour in the Gothic Quarter. As soon as lunch was done, we headed back to the hotel, where we were able to check in, drop everything off in our room, and take a quick recovery nap.

The Wine and Tapas tour was booked through Viator with Barcelona Local Experiences as the tour operator. We met our guide at Plaza De Sant Jaume (Saint James’s Square) near the center of the old city. This small group tour, with about 12 people, took us to four different tapas bars spread around the Gothic Quarter. The variety of wines and tapas was delicious, with each stop offering different styles and flavors.

Day 2: Exploring Barcelona

Our day started with a delicious breakfast at the hotel and a walk across the street to a local cafe for Cappuccino, coffee and pastries. We were picked up at the hotel for a 1/2 day Montserrat Monastery Tour we booked through Spain Day Tours. I cannot say enough positive things about this company! Their communication and coordination from the moment we booked until we were delivered back to our hotel was great. This was a small group tour with only 9 people with a fantastic guide.

The Abbey of Montserrat is about 30 miles northwest of Barcelona and was founded in 1025 AD. It has been rebuilt numerous times and with a community of around 70 monks the abbey is still in use today. Montserrat, whose name means ‘serrated mountain’, plays an important role in the cultural and spiritual life of Catalonia. The Monastery and views are beautiful and the “Serrated” mountains certainly earn their name.

After our Montserrat adventure, we were dropped off at our hotel and quickly jumped into a cab to head to Park Güell. This iconic park, designed by the renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Barcelona. We missed it during last year’s trip, so we were excited to explore it this time.

Originally commissioned by a wealthy businessman named Eusebi Güell as an exclusive residential development, Park Güell was intended to be an upscale garden city with luxurious houses and amenities for the upper-class citizens of Barcelona. Güell entrusted Gaudí with complete creative freedom for the project.

Gaudí began work in 1900 and spent the next 14 years transforming the rugged hillside into a stunning landscape filled with intricate structures, colorful mosaics, and lush gardens. However, due to a lack of interest from potential buyers and financial difficulties faced by Güell, the project was never fully realized. Only two houses were sold and built. In 1926, the park was opened as a public park under the ownership of the Barcelona City Council.

Walking around Park Güell feels like exploring a fantasy land, with its many features and a wonderful view of another Gaudí masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia. It’s an enchanting experience and an essential stop for anyone visiting Barcelona.

Day 3: Time to leave Barcelona

After enjoying another delicious breakfast and an array of pastries, it was time to head to the cruise port and board the Norwegian Escape for our 10-day cruise. As I mentioned earlier, cabs are plentiful and easy to find in Barcelona, making the trip to the port quick and hassle-free. We arrived at the terminal at our scheduled time of 10:30 AM and were efficiently checked in, soon finding ourselves comfortably seated and waiting to board.

Unlike most cruises, this one did not start with an empty ship. The sailing offers two itineraries: a 10-day round trip from Barcelona and another 10-day round trip from Civitavecchia (Rome), which is our halfway port. This meant that only about half the passengers disembarked in Barcelona, with many still on board when we arrived. We were onboard and enjoying food and drinks by 11:30 AM, with the ship setting sail at 5:00 PM.

The NCL Escape is a Breakaway-Plus class ship, weighing 164,998 tons and accommodating 4,218 guests and 1,733 crew members. Built in 2015 and refurbished in 2022, it is a beautiful vessel featuring the “Waterfront,” a revolutionary quarter-mile oceanfront promenade designed to connect passengers with the sea. The Waterfront is filled with outdoor seating for restaurants, several bars, and comfortable seating areas to relax and enjoy the views.

Day 4: Cannes France

Our first port was Cannes, France, located on the stunning French Riviera. Known for its beautiful Mediterranean beaches and the famous Cannes Film Festival, the area is filled with yachts and super yachts, some of which can be rented for as little as $49,000 per week (plus expenses). I decided to save the super-yacht rental for another trip!

We took an excursion to the village of Grasse, renowned for its perfumes, where we enjoyed wine and olive oil tasting. We then visited the medieval village of Valbonne, taking time to explore and admire its charming, relaxing atmosphere.

Days 5 & 6: Livorno (Florence & Pisa) Italy

Our second port was an overnight stay in Livorno, Italy. Having visited Florence and Pisa last year, we decided to focus on wine and food excursions this time around.

Our first stop was Fattoria Vialto near Capannoli, a wonderful organic farm and winery. Thanks to the mild climate and excellent soil quality, the farm produces a variety of seasonal vegetables, pasta, honey, extra virgin olive oil, and wine. The farm also boasts a truffle ground, enriching its offerings with this precious ingredient, often featured in the owner’s recipes. Additionally, they raise chickens for fresh eggs and keep several horses, reflecting the family’s passion for equestrian activities.

We enjoyed a fantastic lunch, wine tasting, and purchased several olive oils, including a truffle-infused one, as well as several bottles of wine. It was a truly beautiful place.

Our 2nd day in Livorno was another wine and food excursion to Fattoria Santa Lucia in central Tuscany. This wonderful farming estate and winery has a history that goes back hundreds of years. The estate includes rooms, a restaurant and 170 hectares of vineyards. The food and wines were fantastic as well as the tour of the farm and estate.

Days 7: Civitavecchia (Rome Port), Italy

Our next stop was Civitavecchia, the gateway to Rome. On last year’s trip, we had an unforgettable experience with Italy Tours EU, which took us on a remarkable journey through Rome, including visits to the Colosseum, Vatican, and the Sistine Chapel. I highly recommend this company for anyone looking to book port excursions in Italy.

This year, we opted for a more relaxed approach, choosing to simply disembark and explore the port city at our own pace. It turned out to be a delightful day, highlighted by some of the best pizza I’ve ever had. We also encountered a striking 25-foot statue called “Unconditional Surrender” of a sailor kissing a nurse, inspired by the iconic 1945 VJ Day photo from New York City. To top it off, we spotted the Emir of Qatar’s 404-foot, $500 million megayacht, Al Lusail, pier side in the harbor.

That is all for Part 1 of our journey. Part 2 (coming later) takes us to Naples Italy, Messina Sicily, Valletta Malta, Cagliari Sardinia, Palma De Mallorca and back to Barcelona.

I hope you enjoyed the read and let me know when you decide it is time for you to plan your own Mediterranean Wine adventure!

Travel often and Travel well my friends!