A Norwegian Epic Adventure Part I: The Shore Excursions
Although Barcelona was my final destination, it was also the start and end points of the Western Mediterranean cruise I took. In this post, I want to detail some of my shore excursions and the places I visited along the Italian and French Riviera.
Day 1: At Sea
Nothing too eventful. See my next post about the boat.
Day 2: Naples
Excursion - Hiking Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii
The thing that sucks about cruises is that you are often only in port for one day. So depending on what you decide to do, there is so much else you don't get to see. In this case, I didn't get much of a chance to visit Naples or any of the surrounding area. The hike took a good chunk of the morning and the ruins of Pompeii are quite expansive. This also means I really didn't get to explore as much of Pompeii as I would have liked, but you could really spend a week in that city and still not see all the nooks and crannies. The upside is now that if I ever return to the area, I can spend my time in Naples, Sorrento, Capri, or any of the surrounding areas knowing I've already been to Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii.
Recommendation:
The view from the top of Vesuvius is really quite amazing, and Pompeii is definitely worth a visit if you're into history. Just make sure your hiking partner is up to the task, and try to pick one that thinks you're up for it too (mine was a little condescending...).
Also if you do get to spend some time in Naples, try the pizza. It's delicious :)
Day 3: Rome
Excursion - Rome on your own
This option gives you a tour guide on the bus and about 5 hours to explore Rome, which let's be honest, is not enough time to see almost anything.
You have to understand that visiting Rome in this way gives you two options.
a) visit one attraction
b) see a little bit (meaning mostly the outside) of everything
We did b), which I still enjoyed but it also means that I need to go back and spend a few days in Rome in order to actually see the sites. It's a crowded place mostly for tourists and you'll have to endure lines no matter where you go. Your best bet is to plan ahead and know what you want to do. Buy tickets online to bypass some of the lines. It'll make the process so much less painful.
Recommendation:
This is no way to really experience the city of Rome. Honestly, I would just pick an excursion that gets you inside of one of Rome's main attractions (Vatican, Colosseum, just pick one) and do that. Or better yet, don't visit Rome on a cruise. Spend a few days. Get to know the city. Actually see it. I think that would really be better since my brief stop here means I have to go back anyway.
Day 4: Pisa and Florence
Excursion - Pisa and Florence on your own
This was a little better than the Rome option because Pisa and Florence are both smaller than Rome. Also there are fewer things here so there are fewer people. However, I spent about 40 minutes in Pisa and only got to visit the Leaning Tower Square. It might have been nice to see some other parts of the city.
As for Florence, 3 hours was actually enough to walk around and see a few things. It's a beautiful city with a lot of art, shops, and gelato. There are a ton of gold and leather places, so if you want to get a little shopping in, buy something gold or leather. Everything else you can pretty much get wherever you are. We got caught in a rainstorm, so remember all the things I've said previously about umbrellas? I really wasn't kidding.
Recommendation:
What I said about Rome and cruises stands for Florence and Pisa. If you can, take the time to stay in the city. I would have liked to visit Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze which is home to Michaelangelo's original David. There are replicas around the city, but there is always something to be said about the real thing. I would have also really liked to see some of the gardens across the river of the main city. There are some great views from the top of the hills overlooking Florence, and of course, gorgeously sculpted gardens. Lastly, if I had really thought it through, buying a leather jacket might have been nice too. This is what I mean by needing more time.
The drive to Monaco from Cannes was one of the most gorgeous routes I have ever taken in my life. We drove through Nice and the Promenade, then followed the cliff-side highway into the Principality of Monaco. This drive itself was probably worth the excursion. I also loved the old city of Monaco. With its colorful buildings, green parks, and views of the ocean. We were able to witness the changing of the guard and saw the palace of the royal family. I learned that part of the city is actually built on artificial land that juts out into the water. AS Monaco's stadium is one of the many buildings that stands on this land.
Monte Carlo was less impressive, mostly because we only stopped in Casino Square, which during the day was filled with tourists. One of the cool things was that the bus did get to drive some of the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix route, and we saw a few of the skid marks left over from the racers a few weeks prior to our arrival. I think I would like to visit Casino Square in the nighttime, when there are fewer tourists and the high stakes gamblers come out to play.
Recommendations:
I'm not exactly sure what else there is to do in Monaco so I'm not sure if the time we spent there was enough or not. Either way, I would highly recommend visiting in some form or another. The location is beautiful, with breathtaking views of the sea and surrounding areas. I do regret not being able to have spent some time on the beaches of the French Riviera. If I ever return, I would want to do so during the Cannes Film Festival. Perhaps visit Eze as well. Either way, this area is not a place to be missed.
Day 6: Mallorca
Excursion - Porto Cristo and the Caves of Hams
It's unfortunate that we had to traverse the entire island of Mallorca to get to this excursion, but it was perhaps one of the more relaxed ones I went on. And it was actually really nice. On the way to the caves, we stopped at a Majorica jewelry exhibition shop. Apparently Majorica is so good at what they do that even some experts say there is almost no difference between their synthetic pearls and real ones. It was a great place to buy some man-made pearls that were cheaper than the ones available on the boat.
The Caves were smaller and warmer than I expected but no less beautiful. They had a lighting system set up to illuminate the many cave formations in a multitude of rainbowed colors. There was also a lake in the cave called "The Sea of Venice". There, I got to ride in a boat in the lake as well as experience a Mozart concert with projections on the cave walls. It really was quite amazing.
As for Porto Cristo, it is a quaint fishing town with a nice beach and a row of shops facing the water. I went swimming in the clear blue water and tried a local dish called pa amb oli. Definitely a nice relaxing end to what had been a rather stressful week.
Fun Fact: Professional tennis player Rafael Nadal was born in Manacor, a town near the Caves of Hams on Mallorca island.
Recommendation:
I give this excursion a huge thumbs up. If you end up on this cruise, I would highly recommend checking this out. I do wish that I got to explore some other parts of Mallorca like the main city of Palma, but I don't regret taking the time to visit the Caves of Hams or Porto Cristo. Looks like I'll have to add Mallorca to my list of places to go back to.
Day 7: Barcelona
See my previous post about the my adventures in Barcelona.
Final Tips
If you're going to take a cruise, take it to Alaska or the Caribbean islands or something. There's just too much to do and see in Europe that one day at each port really isn't enough for a full explorer like me. Instead of checking a bunch of places off my bucket list, this cruise turned more into a sampler of places I want to go back and visit again, which wasn't exactly what I was going for.
One piece of advice: In general if you go to any places with Cathedrals or places of worship, make sure to dress the part and don't end up getting charged extra to buy a coverup.
Research is key for foreign country travel. I know the idea of flying in to one place and flying out of another sounds adventurous and romantic but unless you are with a bunch of people who think exactly like you, a well planned trip will save you a lot of hassle, stress, anger, and most importantly, time.
Day 1: At Sea
Nothing too eventful. See my next post about the boat.
Day 2: Naples
Excursion - Hiking Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii
 |
| A street in Pompeii |
 |
| From the top of Vesuvius |
 |
| Napoli Pizza |
The view from the top of Vesuvius is really quite amazing, and Pompeii is definitely worth a visit if you're into history. Just make sure your hiking partner is up to the task, and try to pick one that thinks you're up for it too (mine was a little condescending...).
Also if you do get to spend some time in Naples, try the pizza. It's delicious :)
Day 3: Rome
Excursion - Rome on your own
This option gives you a tour guide on the bus and about 5 hours to explore Rome, which let's be honest, is not enough time to see almost anything.
You have to understand that visiting Rome in this way gives you two options.
a) visit one attraction
b) see a little bit (meaning mostly the outside) of everything
 |
| The Colosseum |
Recommendation:
This is no way to really experience the city of Rome. Honestly, I would just pick an excursion that gets you inside of one of Rome's main attractions (Vatican, Colosseum, just pick one) and do that. Or better yet, don't visit Rome on a cruise. Spend a few days. Get to know the city. Actually see it. I think that would really be better since my brief stop here means I have to go back anyway.
Day 4: Pisa and Florence
Excursion - Pisa and Florence on your own
 |
| Lean Tower Square |
 |
| A 'David' replica |
 |
| Florentine Street |
What I said about Rome and cruises stands for Florence and Pisa. If you can, take the time to stay in the city. I would have liked to visit Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze which is home to Michaelangelo's original David. There are replicas around the city, but there is always something to be said about the real thing. I would have also really liked to see some of the gardens across the river of the main city. There are some great views from the top of the hills overlooking Florence, and of course, gorgeously sculpted gardens. Lastly, if I had really thought it through, buying a leather jacket might have been nice too. This is what I mean by needing more time.
Day 5: Cannes
Excursion - Monaco and Monte Carlo
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| Royal Palace |
 |
| Casino Square |
Recommendations:
 |
| A section of Grand Prix Track |
Day 6: Mallorca
Excursion - Porto Cristo and the Caves of Hams
It's unfortunate that we had to traverse the entire island of Mallorca to get to this excursion, but it was perhaps one of the more relaxed ones I went on. And it was actually really nice. On the way to the caves, we stopped at a Majorica jewelry exhibition shop. Apparently Majorica is so good at what they do that even some experts say there is almost no difference between their synthetic pearls and real ones. It was a great place to buy some man-made pearls that were cheaper than the ones available on the boat.
 |
| Caves of Hams |
The Caves were smaller and warmer than I expected but no less beautiful. They had a lighting system set up to illuminate the many cave formations in a multitude of rainbowed colors. There was also a lake in the cave called "The Sea of Venice". There, I got to ride in a boat in the lake as well as experience a Mozart concert with projections on the cave walls. It really was quite amazing.
As for Porto Cristo, it is a quaint fishing town with a nice beach and a row of shops facing the water. I went swimming in the clear blue water and tried a local dish called pa amb oli. Definitely a nice relaxing end to what had been a rather stressful week.
 |
| Pa amb oli |
Fun Fact: Professional tennis player Rafael Nadal was born in Manacor, a town near the Caves of Hams on Mallorca island.
Recommendation:
I give this excursion a huge thumbs up. If you end up on this cruise, I would highly recommend checking this out. I do wish that I got to explore some other parts of Mallorca like the main city of Palma, but I don't regret taking the time to visit the Caves of Hams or Porto Cristo. Looks like I'll have to add Mallorca to my list of places to go back to.
 |
| Beach at Porto Cristo |
See my previous post about the my adventures in Barcelona.
Final Tips
If you're going to take a cruise, take it to Alaska or the Caribbean islands or something. There's just too much to do and see in Europe that one day at each port really isn't enough for a full explorer like me. Instead of checking a bunch of places off my bucket list, this cruise turned more into a sampler of places I want to go back and visit again, which wasn't exactly what I was going for.
One piece of advice: In general if you go to any places with Cathedrals or places of worship, make sure to dress the part and don't end up getting charged extra to buy a coverup.Research is key for foreign country travel. I know the idea of flying in to one place and flying out of another sounds adventurous and romantic but unless you are with a bunch of people who think exactly like you, a well planned trip will save you a lot of hassle, stress, anger, and most importantly, time.
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