Day 8: Naples Italy

One of the things I love most about Italy is the rich tradition and artistry behind the inlaid wood jewelry boxes and other exquisite creations made by the skilled artisans of Sorrento. This craftsmanship, known as “Intarsia,” dates back to the 14th century and involves the meticulous process of creating intricate designs using different types of inlaid wood.

Years ago, I purchased several stunning jewelry boxes during my Navy deployments in Italy. Unfortunately, during our cruise last year, we didn’t get the chance to visit any shops that specialize in these masterpieces. So, this year, I made sure to book an excursion from Naples to Sorrento, specifically to explore and shop for a few more of these beautiful pieces.

After spending the morning shopping and exploring the charming streets of Sorrento, we made our way back to Naples for a well-deserved lunch. Naples, renowned as the birthplace of pizza, is a city where culinary traditions run deep, and no visit would be complete without indulging in an authentic Neapolitan pizza.

The moment we arrived at the pizzeria, the aroma of freshly baked dough, tangy tomatoes, and melted mozzarella greeted us, promising a meal to remember. Neapolitan pizza is more than just a dish; it’s a cultural experience. The thin, soft crust, slightly charred from the wood-fired oven, and the perfect balance of flavors from simple, high-quality ingredients made each bite a celebration of this iconic Italian tradition.

Day 9: Messina, Sicily

Our next destination was the picturesque island of Sicily, where we set off to explore the vineyard of Cantine Lipari. This enchanting farm is dedicated to producing exceptional wines using time-honored, artisanal vinification techniques. The process begins with the manual harvesting of grapes, followed by the maceration of grape skins into the must, allowing for a richer flavor extraction. The wines then undergo natural fermentation, before maturing in terracotta amphorae, a method that dates back to ancient winemaking traditions.

The tour of the vineyard was captivating. We wandered through the lush vineyards, learned about the intricate steps involved in crafting their wines, and gained an appreciation for the passion and skill that goes into every bottle. Following the tour, we enjoyed a delightful lunch paired with a selection of their finest wines, each sip enhancing the flavors of the fresh, local cuisine.

As an added bonus, I had the opportunity to sample donkey cheese, an intriguing delicacy that I can now check off my list of things to try while adding to my list of “lets not do that again”.

Day 10: Valletta, Malta

One of the main reasons we chose this particular itinerary was because it included a stop in Valletta, Malta. I had the pleasure of visiting this remarkable city years ago, and ever since, I’ve been eager to return and experience it once more. The entire city has the feel of a grand medieval fortress.

We planned our day in Valletta as a leisurely exploration, allowing us to soak in the sights at our own pace. It was a wonderful day, though I had forgotten just how hilly the city is and the sheer number of stairs that come with navigating its historic landscape! One of the highlights of our visit was St. John’s Co-Cathedral, one of the most breathtaking places I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. Built between 1572 and 1577 by the Knights of Malta, the exterior has remained largely unchanged. However, the interior underwent extensive renovations in the 1660s and now stands as one of the finest examples of High Baroque architecture in Europe. The interior is simply stunning, with every detail crafted to leave a lasting impression.

After visiting St. John’s Co-Cathedral, we continued our explorations, winding our way through the charming streets of the old town. Eventually, we made our way back down to the waterfront area, where the cruise port is located. Valletta is a highly walkable city, especially from where the ship docks, but be prepared for a bit of a workout as you navigate its hilly terrain and numerous staircases.

Day 11: Cagliari, Sardinia

Our next stop was Cagliari, the largest city on the island of Sardinia. While Cagliari, like every destination on this cruise, is full of incredible sites and places to explore, we decided to take a different approach for this port of call. Instead of venturing out to discover everything the city had to offer, we opted for a laid-back day onboard the ship.

After several days of sightseeing and exploration, it felt like the perfect time to relax and recharge. We spent the day enjoying the ship’s amenities, lounging on deck while reading, and savoring the tranquility of a quite ship. It was a refreshing change of pace, allowing us to unwind and take in the beauty of our surroundings from the comfort of the ship.

Day 12: Palma De Mallorca, Balearic Islands

Our last port before returning to Barcelona was Palma, the capital of the island of Mallorca. This jewel of the Mediterranean is a tourist magnet with 200 beaches and the jump off point to Palma Nova and Magaluf which is a favorite European vacation resort area known for beautiful beaches and a vibrant night life.

Night life was not on the agenda for us on this trip so we were off to another delightful wine & food excursion. Our guide took us to the vineyard Blanca Terra where we had the pleasure of sampling some of the exquisite Mallorcan wines produced on the island.

Our final stop was back in Barcelona where we took advantage of Norwegian’s transfer service to the Airport.

Arrival and check-in at the airport went very smoothly. The trip home was not a direct as our travel to Barcelona and we flew from Barcelona to Montreal, then Montreal to Toronto and finally Toronto to Raleigh. There were no cancelations but pretty much each flight was delayed, so by the time we arrived home we had been up and on the go for 24 hours.

It was very nice to be home and to catch up on sleep, but I am already counting down the days to our next trip!

I hope you enjoyed the read and encourage you to chase your travel dreams.

Travel often and travel well my friends…..

John