Sicily+Malta+Italy 10th Anniversary
John and I wanted our 10th anniversary to be something really special…
I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad for a summer semester in Berlin, Germany in 1994. Immediately after those classes finished in Germany, a few friends and I traveled around Europe for several weeks. We saw a lot of Europe, but I have come to learn that we barely scratched the surface. John had never had the opportunity to travel to Europe, so he and I thought it would be great to try something new together. We chose Italy since I had not made it there previously. I researched quite a bit, but then stumbled across an amazing deal for a small-boat cruise while we were tent camping in the woods of Brown County one weekend. John would not commit to the cruise while we were sitting in a tent in the middle of the woods, so I had to do some quick research when we got back to Indy. When presented with the information, John acquiesced to my desire to take this Variety Cruise. My philosophy on traveling to Europe is that if you are going to spend that much time on a plane, you might as well stay at least a couple weeks… …I convinced John to stay 2 1/2 weeks instead.
In addition to the 8 day cruise, we added plans for an amazing walking tour of highlights throughout Italy.
10 days before our trip, John fell in the front yard and broke his ankle. Yes, it was broken moments before we were scheduled to start a “walking tour” of Italy. Oh well, let’s go!
Our little boat in the harbor off of Lipari.
We started our trip in Naples, Italy. A quick train ride down the Amalfi Coast delivered us to our ship. The Voyager was a sleek mega yacht from the Variety Cruise line. I had been fortunate to get a really great deal and actually upgraded us to one of the best suites on the boat. It’s not a bad way to celebrate an anniversary!
John with an active volcano in the background
John and Rod on the Voyager
I fully believe that the Fates work really hard… On the first night of our cruise, John and I scanned the room of 54 passengers for any glimpse of someone to hang out with for the next 8 days. It came down to two German sisters or two fiery redheads. You know me, I will always choose the redheads! The next day up on deck while docked in front of Lipari , I asked Susan Davis to take our picture. She happened to also have a glass of champagne in her hand, so I knew she and I would hit it off immediately. WE DID. For the rest of the cruise, Susan Davis and Sarah Green were our travel companions. That still continues to this day…
John (and his broken ankle) on the upper deck of our yaght.
This is the moment we met our dear friend, Susan Davis
Rod, John, Susan, and Sarah
Rod, Sarah, and John in Taormina, Sicily
Susan and Sarah in Noto
Valley of the Temples near Agrigento
Valley of the Temples near Agrigento
Valley of the Temples near Agrigento
Cefalu
Valley of the Temples near Agrigento
Bacon makes everything better (with Sarah and Susan)
After departing the boat, John and I traveled to Rome. Rome is immediately one of those cities that I know I had lived in several times before. I knew the city instantly. It was familiar. We loved it.
Rome, Italy
Searching for all of the Egyptian obelisks in Rome
Dinner at Felice was amazing
A funny thing happened on the way to the Forum
At the Coliseum
Our amazing personal tour guide in Rome
It is so massive!
After 5 days in Rome, we departed for Florence. Wow, what a gorgeous and artistic city. Despite John’s broken ankle, he humored me with a climb to the top of the Duomo- he was rewarded mightily with gelato when we once again touched the ground.
Arriving in Florence
I made him climb all of the 463 steps to the top
his reward of gelato
A short high-speed train ride later, we landed in Milan. I had thought Florence had a gorgeous Duomo- then I met Milan… …Wow.
Our ultramodern room in Milan, Italy
The Duomo in Milan, Italy
More steps and climbing
On the roof in Milan