The Mediterranean - 2025

 

Our kiddos invited us along with our co-in-laws on a cruise to the Mediterranean. We readily accepted and got to planning right away. With airfare SO incredibly expensive, we decided that if we're headed to Europe, we may as well add on a few extra stops. And this is how it all went ...

We departed Phoenix via Delta Air Lines on a 6am flight to New York's JFK airport, had a 5-hour layover, and flew the remaining forever hours to Lisbon, Portugal! We've never been and this city had been on our list during Covid and cancelled just before the travel/vaccination ban had been lifted. So we wanted to make up for lost experiences this time around. 

First things first - the food!! We had exceptional meals and treats in Lisbon everywhere we went. 

We sampled delicate grilled octopus, fresh house-made pasta, gorgeous gin & tonic cocktails, and so much more. But the treat we couldn't get enough of were their Pastel d'nata custard tarts. 

Oh. My. Goodness. They are amazing, and cost like $1.50 a piece. They sell them everywhere, but the very best ones we tried were from a place called Castro, near our hotel. YUM. 

Speaking of hotels, we stayed at the gorgeous Ivens Autograph Collection by Marriott. What a gem of a stay. The service was second to none, the room was a dream, and the breakfast was perfect. I would stay here again and again and again. As a matter of fact, it is now in my top 5 hotel stays ever!

One of my favorite stops was this gorgeous (completely above-ground) cemetery in Lisbon. The tombs were these amazing edifices with room for up to eight caskets in many of them. They had altars within and little chairs for visitors. I marveled all morning long. 

We also took a fantastic Tuk-Tuk tour throughout all of Lisbon's crazy tiled streets. 

I love all the history and architecture here - so many different influences throughout history. 

The bridge across this gorgeous river was patterned after The San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge! 

Tuk-Tuk Travels

The inside of a beautiful historic cathedral, bombed out during WW2. 

And yet, so many sculptures remain, luckily. 

The world's oldest continually operating book store! 

The Lisbon Arch into the city from their beautiful port

Lisbon is famous for their hand painted tiles adorning both the interior and exterior of many buildings. We visited the tile museum here and were absolutely blown away with the beauty and creativity from hundreds of years past. 

We spent four days here and it probably wasn't nearly enough. There are so many more museums to see, maybe head over to Sintra, take a boat ride on the river, or day trip up to Porto. Next time... 

But, of course we rode Tram 28!

From Lisbon, we flew to Barcelona to meet up with the rest of our travel mates. We stayed in a gorgeous local chain hotel, the H-10 Madison, right near the cathedral and luxuriously comfortable. Barcelona is another treat of a city. We found it to be a tad more crowded than Lisbon, but it was also the week before their Grand Prix race and the start to the summer travel season. 

We spent just two quick days in Barcelona and loved it all. The city is vibrant and busy, loaded with gorgeous architecture, and the Antoni Gaudi influences abound. We were treated to an excellent walking tour by our son and saw much more than even we expected. Cisterns, underground cemeteries, hidden alleyways, parks, and superb little places for snacks and drinks. 

The sweetest lady on the planet is my co-in-law and I love her to pieces. 

Also this guy - love him so much. 

Pinxtos and Churros and Chocolate... of course! 

Do you love that our churros are right near the hand sanitizer?? Still a remnant from Covid. 

This historic building is La Segrada Familia. We've visited Barcelona previously but didn't get a chance to visit La Segrada. This time, it was our number one priority. The Gaudi exterior is unbelievable with so many carved bits to view. The front of the cathedral depicts the Nativity of Christ and the backside of the cathedral depicts His Crucifixion. 

The interior is a totally different vibe, loaded with color and light and a glorious sense of peace. 

Barcelona isn't real happy with the over-tourism going on right now. We did run into one protest happening just outside Parc Guell, but other than that we were unaffected by some of the unhappiness shared by the Spanish citizens. 

We boarded our cruise ship here in Barcelona - Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas.

And she was magnificent! Huge, yes. Scads of passengers, yes. But beautiful in so many ways. 

Our biggest surprise was how un-crowded this ship felt, even sailing with 6,000 of our best friends. 

This multi-generational cruise ship has so much to offer just about everyone. From upscale dining to a lovely buffet, water slides and dry slides, adult pools and diaper dips, game rooms for kids and adults, water shows, Mama Mia, parades, and a carousel!! This ship has everything. We never felt the sway on the water and loved our time aboard with our family and sweet 18-month old grandson. 

Celebrating my birthday in style - love that Jaeger! 

We visited Palma de Mallorca in Spain. 

Marseille, France

Sailing into La Cinque Terre, Italy

The absolute beauty of La Cinque Terre, Italy

These five little villages (we visited three of them) are connected by railway.

Each one has a distinct flavor, but all are enchanting. We loved the food and the views!!

Summer was a teeny bit crowded for sure, but it didn't stop us from enjoying it all. 

Everyone else in our party opted for Rome, but Jeff and I wandered in Civitavecchia, the little port town where we docked. The small churches and cathedrals, the anthropology museum, and a wonderful Italian lunch were everything I hoped for on this walking day. 

Our last port stop was Naples, and I might say it was my favorite port. We started out with the sfogliatella pastry which everyone raves about and we loved as well. We wandered the Nativity Street, into and out of so many churches and cathedrals, visited the Chapel with the Veiled Christ (AMAZING), and ate pizza and sampled the local libations. The streets here are dirty and gritty and we absolutely loved it. Truly exceptional day. 

The castle near the port of entry, Naples, Italy

Sfogliatella pastry!

Another gorgeous cathedral!

Neopolitan Pizza - what they say is true. It's delicious. 

We had only one sea day on this cruise. We needed the rest after all our port visits. We love cruises, but not everyone in our party agreed. Some felt that sea days were too empty and the port days were too rushed. If you're planning a cruise, be sure to do your research and discuss all the options ahead of time with your traveling party. We think a cruise is the best way to travel with multi-generational families. But that's just our opinion. 

Love this family of ours! 

Following the cruise we decided to fly to Edinburgh, Scotland for two quick days. We'd neither one been here before and wanted a sample of Scottish charm. We got it in spades!! 

A lovely cemetery near our hotel. We stayed at the Sheraton Grand, Edinburgh and loved it. 

That's the Edinburgh Castle in the background of this gorgeous fountain. 

We loved this little cheese shop that Phil Rosenthal had visited previously. YUM!

We tried Haggis with Neeps and Tatties!

We let our Pride show!

And we had the most delectable hot cocoa here in Edinburgh at a place called Knoops. I can't wait to find out if they are expanding to the United States, but wow. So deliciously dark, rich, and creamy! 

Knoops!

Bye-Bye for Now. We'll sail again for sure and I'll keep you posted.

:) Deb 

What's New in Our Travels??

Where-OH-Where have we been lately? 

I'll tell you ... 

In January, my sister and I visited Alabama for a wedding - the daughter of our sweet cousin got married to the love of her life. It was beautiful and magical, as all weddings should be. 

We stayed in this gorgeous Marriott property on a golf course (if you're a golfer, go here!)

Marriott Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge 

It's like a Scottish Castle right in the heart of the city. They've got a Scottish bagpiper playing each evening around the grounds. They've got a great bar that stays open late (I mean really late as we can attest at 2am), a delightful coffee bar, and a couple of restaurant/eateries that cater to your every whim. We loved our stay here. We even took a nice 3 mile out and back walk to the actual Ross Bridge. 

Leaving my cousin's house one afternoon, it started snowing (yes, snowing in Alabama!) and we were sent on a merry drive through this adorable covered bridge. I loved it! 

It is the historic Mountain Oaks Covered Bridge. Who knew there were so many in Alabama? I just checked the website and there are about two dozen throughout the state. Get driving people!

Hubby and I spent a lovely rainy week in Oceanside, CA in February. 

We stayed at Marriott's SpringHill Suites in Oceanside, a very close walk to the ocean front. There are loads of places to grab a snack, a beer, a cocktail, watch the surfers, and see a sunset. 

The Oceanside Pier is a lovely setting. If you do visit Oceanside, and if you do stay at the SpringHill Suites, ask for a room on the opposite side of the train tracks. They are pretty loud and quite frequent. Our favorite visit was actually the Green Cheek Brewery. This is a dog-friendly spot with friendly welcoming people and loads of seating indoors and out. The beer is good, and the food is yummy.  

I cannot remember where this pic was taken, but we had a fun time visiting all the various breweries in the Oceanside area. Check out that Padres Jersey! 

My sweet daughter and I visited Atlanta for her spring break this year. This city is filled with good food, lovely green spaces, and loads of history. We stayed at the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown, and I highly recommend this location. The service was top-notch from check-in to check-out. The valet service was very much appreciated because parking in Atlanta is a quest of its own. Be prepared to pay for parking everywhere you go. And be grateful when you find a spot! 

We visited Zoo Atlanta, and though the big black & white pandas are gone, this super cute red panda was having a great day. The animals were in their springtime fervor! 

I cannot skip the giraffes, no matter what! 

The Atlanta History Museum was filled with artifacts and information that just slayed me. This is a portion of the giant AIDS quilt that graced our nation's capitol years ago. 

The Martin Luther King, Jr complex was incredibly moving. It's located in the heart of the city near the home where MLK, Jr grew up and near the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he and his father preached. He and his wife, Coretta Scott King, are entombed nearby. 

But, this is where I absolutely lost it. All of the civil rights protests - sad and oftentimes violent photos, compelling videos, and literature that broke my heart. 

How can people be so evil? 

But, this was my favorite sculpture from around Atlanta, It's just outside the Krog Street Market. I love street art and Atlanta has a bunch of cool pieces around town. This one just made my heart sing. 

There are several really terrific Food Halls around Atlanta, and you should stop into ALL of them! 

We had great visits at Sweetwater Brewing, New Realm Brewing, the Krog Street Market, the Ponce City Market, and a wonderful dinner at Two Urban Licks (YUM!) 

Big surprise when we arrived at the Swan Coach House - they were serving Afternoon Tea! I love a beautiful relaxing afternoon tea, and this one did not disappoint. Delightful sandwiches, the creamiest scones ever, and little pastries to tempt and enjoy. So happy my girl agreed! 

You cannot visit a city like Atlanta and not visit their historic cemeteries. These photos are from Oakland Historic Cemetery. The grounds are subdivided into areas that house Union Soldiers, Confederate Soldiers, a large Jewish parcel, spaces for the wealthy, and spaces for the poorest of folks. This cemetery is probably one of the most interesting of all that I have ever visited. We loved it. 

Never have I ever seen a tree felled in a cemetery. That was a first. 

We decided to visit the Georgia Aquarium on a very rainy day. What a great idea! 

This aquarium is truly as interesting as the aquariums in Boston, MA or Monterey, CA. 

All are lovely, but this one has beluga whales. I mean, come on! 

This was probably the biggest shark tank I have ever seen. 

And Jellies galore! 

Last stop was the Atlanta Botanical Garden, where almost everything was in bloom for the start of spring. There were tulips and iris and cherry blossoms too. 

This gorgeous piece is a Welcome Center beauty by none other than Dale Chihuly. It matches the vibe and beauty of the garden perfectly. 

Their annual Orchid show was on full display and wow... they could not have been more unique or any prettier. What a sweet treat to view them all. 

Can you stand a picture of one of our yummy breakfasts?

I present to you ... The Flying Biscuit Cafe in Midtown Atlanta.

Creamiest grits ever. Soft and savory biscuits with house-made cranberry-apple butter. 

This is what makes an out of town girl feel like she's truly in the South. 

Great vibe, don't miss out. 

We grew up in Southern California and never really traveled to any of the beach cities while we lived there. They were too close to be a vacation, but farther out and not truly a day trip. This year we decided to make a trip to Ventura, CA. We have never vacationed here!

We stayed at the Marriott Ventura Beach, and it was undergoing some construction/revamp, so it'll probably be even nicer when next we visit. Or when you visit :) 

The hotel is directly across from the San BuenaVentura State Park and close to the Ventura Pier, the downtown area of Ventura, and the Buenaventura Mission. There are loads of great little eating spots, and lovely spaces to walk near the ocean. 

This was the view from the Serra Cross, up above the botanical garden. 

This lush beauty was found at the Ventura Botanical Garden, and this place, is a HIKE! We love the idea of it's dog-friendly-ness but wow, it was steep with switchbacks aplenty. Just know in advance it's lovely and you'll have a good leg-day. 

This very shaggy guy was near one of the breweries we visited, Transmission Brewery. Loved it. We also loved Leashless Brewing, Seaward Brewing, and Topa Topa Brewing Co. 

We enjoyed walking in their charming downtown area, and I was absolutely gob-smacked by the size and quality of their little downtown FabricTown and the place right next door with 100,000 used books. You don't find these kinds of places just anywhere, so keep searching! 

This was one of three labyrinths that my husband found for me, just outside the hospital complex in downtown Ventura. 

Long days of walking, and our pup, Desi, just couldn't hang! 

On our day drive up to Santa Barbara, we spied this gorgeous sculpture in a hidden garden. 

I love when I find the 'chubbies' out in the wild.

Pit stop at one of our favorite breweries - The Bruery in Fullerton.

On our way home, we decided to add a day and visit the Anaheim area.

We stayed at the Residence Inn in Placentia, and it is a lovely spot. 

Quirky payment up front (maybe they have a lot of damage or people who skip out on their bill.) 

I don't know, but it does work for us - location, price, and walking distance to The Bruery. 

I lucked out when my husband said I should visit Disneyland with my friend and my sister. I got there early and snapped this outside pic. Then I bee-lined for the Jolly Holiday Bakery for this yummy treat. 

This raspberry macaroon is filled with raspberry mousse and fresh berries and is absolutely delicious! 

Super mom at Disneyland!

Me and my sister enjoying our day together. 

Lastly. We are on our way out of town and had heard that the Original Helm's Bakery had re-opened as a little bakery/sweet shop/coffee shop. 

We HAD to stop here! 

We enjoyed a few baked goods, took a walk around the place, remembered the sound of the 

Helm's Man beeping through the neighborhood in his little golden wagon, with dozens of delicious donuts and breads in the back. 

Nostalgia, complete. 

Until next time...

:)