The Pure Joy of the Mediterranean!
That we have just experienced our 5th Med Cruise in 7 years probably gives you the impression that we, sort of, like it! We returned to Seabourn Cruise Line's Seabourn Spirit (pictured here in port at Navplion, Greece) after 3 trips aboard Silversea's Silver Cloud. Having sailed on the Spirit in 2001, we were anxious to compare Seabourn with Silversea. Talk about a no-lose situation! In our opinion, these are the two finest luxury lines afloat. And our experience reaffirmed those feelings. To say one is the slightest bit better than the other is indeed splitting hairs. To be sure, there are subtle differences - none that are either good or bad... just slightly different. If you are considering an upscale cruise - and you should - contact me for our reflections.
On this outing, we cruised from Rome to Athens, spending a little extra time at both ends of the cruise. Having been to both cities before, we have started feeling at home in those cities - particularly Rome. A required staple of any visit is dinner at our favorite restaurant, Al Fortunata del Pantheon. Largely because we need a table for 8, we have dined at the same table on each visit. The fact that waiters remember us from previous visits does make me wonder if it's because we're so nice or if we make spectacles of ourselves! (We DO have a good time and, I think, make it fun for waiters!) When in the Med, one MUST focus on the incredible seafood. And, when in Italy, the fabulously delicious pastas are 'required'! Having toured the attractions of the city on previous visits, we opted to head to the countryside with Miguel, our long-standing guide in Rome. We visited the mountain lakes area where, among other things, the Pope's summer residence is.
(to be continued)
Cheers,
Dick
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