That's right. 6 countries in 13 days and close to 15 different cities. When my wife and I go out we usually try to do it big and I can't say we are usually looking for the most relaxing trip. Our approach is to travel while we are young, identify places that we really like so we can go back when we are a little less mobile and post up there for a while. Our most recent experience was centered around an MSC cruise in the Mediterranean Sea, but we ended up exploring other areas due to a French Rail Strike during one of the weeks we were in Europe. While we were traveling, I believe I experienced where the U.S. is headed from a payments experience, which was certainly interesting to see the future for a few weeks before returning back to the U.S.
The Countries
For those that have traveled with us or pay attention to what we are up to know that we often exhausted after returning from what is supposed to be "rest and relaxation". LOL. I'm not sure that's the point of R&R, but maybe we try to do it a little differently. Over the course of a couple weeks we traveled via plane, automobile, boat, train, foot and probably other modes we don't even remember. During this trip we started in France, but traveled to several parts of Spain, Italy, Switzerland and the UK. The trip was designed around a cruise in the Med, but we also drove across France to get to Switzerland to see the Matterhorn in Zermatt.
While we were originally scheduled to travel via rail from France to Switzerland we learned during our trip that a French Rail Strike was scheduled right in the middle of our trip. Switching gears and determining if we could rent a car in France was initially stressful getting conflicting information about whether or not an International Driver Permit would be required. However, everything worked out and we experienced the most beautiful drive ever through southern France, up around Geneva and then down to Zermatt. The drive was about seven hours, but well worth it and we were able to see things we would not have been able to see from a train or an airplane. We even got to experience a French McDonald's thinking the quality may be a little better than the States only to find it was about the same. It was pretty cool being able to order a Royale with cheese just like in Pulp Fiction.
In the two days before our cruise and after flying into Marseille, we did have an amazing little side trip up to Aix-en-Provence, which is about a 30 minute drive north of Marseille. We stayed at a three bedroom estate called Domaine St. Claire, which is situated in the most beautiful countryside just outside of Aix. The estate was incredibly beautiful with lush green grass and the most incredible views from our second story room. Aix is known for Rose and lavender and of course, we could not resist putting our feet up one evening, drinking some Rose and just enjoying each others company.
The Cruise
My wife and I are not big "cruisers", but the MSC experience bumping around the Med was pretty awesome. We paid for the upgrades to the MSC Yacht Club, which meant we got a nice suite at the top of the ship with a balcony, a butler to help with all of our needs and access to dining, bars and other things specially reserved for Yacht Club guests. The cruise was also perfect for us because it was an easy way to get around southern Europe without having to trek our luggage around. We were able to visit several places we had not been to before like Mallorca, Barcelona and Genoa, experience the cities for a few hours, eat some local food and do some shopping. Amazing being able to see Las Ramblas and Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the narrow streets of Genoa, Italy and the beauty of Palma de Mallorca.
The Culinary Experience
The culinary experience during our trip absolutely did not disappoint. We were on a mission to find the best pizza pies and I'd say we accomplished that mission. The pizza along the main road in Aix-en-Provence was amazing and we eventually learned that it is not customary to cut the pie into slices, but rather serve whole. My favorite meal and probably one that I will forever remember was in Genoa, Italy at a small restaurant called Cacio e Pepe where we experienced Focacia with pesto and the most amazing Cacio e Pepe dish either of us had ever eaten. Coldplay was playing in the backgroud, we were drinking wine and enjoying the finest pesto and pasta ever in the home of the world's best pesto.
A few years ago we were fortunate to go on the trip of a lifetime to Paris and over to the champagne region of France where we experienced the most amazing wine, champagne and food. This trip totally spoiled us and we never thought we'd be able to replicate this trip. However, I think we may have done that on this trip with so many memorable experiences, visiting new and amazing places and an overall very diverse trip through six different countries and numerous cities. One our way home we had a quick overnight in London, which was super fun as well staying at the W Hotel in Leicester Square close to Westminster Abbey, Parliment, the Tower Bridge and the London Eye. Overall, amazing trip, thousands of miles covered and a lifetime of memories...all in thirteen days.
