I am so excited to say that I am going on the ultimate adventure at the end of this month! Usually my boyfriend Riley and I head on an exciting cross country journey on the road each summer, but this summer is different. Riley has finally graduated from The University of Texas at Austin
with his bachelors degree in Psychology, and we are heading into international waters to celebrate this new chapter in life. After so much research, and going back and forth on a mode of transportation, we have settled on taking our first cruise!
We chose Norwegian Cruise Lines because they offer wonderful prices and awesome tour packages. Our Mediterranean cruise will last a total of 12 days and take us to 5 different countries along the coast. I am more than excited, and we already leave in less than 20 days (eek!)
We leave Austin, Texas two days before our cruise departs and fly one way to Barcelona, which is around a 16 hour flight. We have connection flights in Chicago, Boston, and Copenhagen (another counrtry to add under my belt!) Once we arrive in Spain, we have arranged a 2-night stay in an AirBnB. This cuts our hotel costs in half and gives us a locals guide to traveling around Barcelona. After a rough few days with jet-lag, we’ll be ready to embark from Barcelona to our first cruise destination, Provence, France.
Barcelona, Spain » Provence, (Toulon) France » Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy » Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy » Naples, Italy » At Sea » Mykonos, Greece » Athens (Piraeus), Greece » At Sea » Kotor, Montenegro » Dubrovnik, Croatia » Venice, Italy
Each port has it’s own excursions which you can sign up for ease of activities (but at a pretty steep cost.) So we may be touring the cities on our own, to lower our cost and to stay on budget. Though some tours may be tempting, like a full day touring Rome & the Vatican City with food and transportation. But at $400/person, I think I’ll research and find my own Roman tours.
On this entire trip I will be visiting 8 countries. Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Montenegro, and Croatia. With a layover in Denmark into Europe and one in Germany on the way back home. I can’t believe the places I will see, and I only hope some will make it as a stamp in my passport!
No matter what, we’re going to make the best of it. How can you not in Europe??
I absolutely cannot wait.
Have you visited any of these cities? What are some must-dos that you recommend?
Let me know in the comments below!
{ P.S. I am offering up to 60% off select jewelry to help fund my trip! Click here to shop!}
❀Riah
Oh seriously an incredible journey! I have a friend living in Spain and his photos are amazing. Have fun!
The trip was definitely amazing! Thank you Sophie!