A New Beginning... A plan in motion

I am going to try to be a better blogger... I am going to try and carve out a little life for myself and not let cancer define me... since I have had so many non-fun things taking place around here, I have let my other blog slip. I would like to get back on track. As I prepare for another great trip I realize that I need to catch up some serious travels that have passed.

I am (pretty much) 5 days until my mom and I leave for another incredible cruise. As a travel agent, I get so many great deals forwarded to me and this one I just couldn't pass up. My mom and I really wanted to do some type of "girl trip" this year and this one came at the (almost) perfect time.

I have prearranged tours with a few different private companies. It's kind of funny... I would actually make commissions off the cruise line shore excursions, but I absolutely hate them and I never recommend them unless there is no better choice.

I have met a few people on the CruiseCritic.com and have arranged to get together with a few different couples for tours. One couple I am really excited to meet is Anthony and Maria from Australia. We'll be joining them for a tour in France, and they'll be joining my tour in Rome. Since we've emailed back and forth several times, we have also decided to join up with them for dinner each night. I look forward to our time on my favorite ship! Solstice... HERE I COME AGAIN!!!

I have made our pre and post cruise reservations at the same hotel where Dan and I stayed after we were married on the ship in Barcelona. We are staying at the Duquesa de Cardona and it's just a perfect hotel!

I have arranged a pre cruise dinner with a few people on the CruiseCritic.... Les Set Portes is supposed to be a fabulous restaurant with excellent paella. I'll let you know after we eat there what the verdict is.

Post cruise in Barcelona is going to be a great time. We have 3 days to explore the city. I have been to the city several times but this will be my mother's first time. I have put together a Gaudi day (Antoni Gaudi)... seeing all sorts of Gaudi designs. One of my favorite's is Casa Batllo and the one of the most famous buildings of Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia. Love it or hate it, it's a site to be seen!

We have arranged all our Italy tours with RomeinLimo... this is a FABULOUS company and worth every penny for their private tours. We share a van with people we meet on the Cruise Critic and it becomes less expensive than the ship tours... and SO much better!

The planning is done... the tickets are printed... now to pack my bags!

5 days until we go!

Our cruise itinerary is:

Barcelona

Nice, France (visiting Monaco, Eze, Nice & St. Paul de Vence)

Livorno (visiting the Montecarlo wine road and Lucca and Pisa)

Rome

Naples (taking a hydrofoil to Sorrento for the day and enjoying the Amalfi Coast)

Kotor, Montenegro (this is a new stop for me... and looks amazing!)

Venice (2 days in Venice... the sail in and out is so incredible)

Dubrovnik, Croatia (this place is gorgeous and I can't wait to show my mom)

Barcelona