• Trip: Rome and Cruise through Italy and Greece (Norwegian Breakaway)
• Dates: September 1 – 15, 2023
• Who: Me (Jess), Emily (one of my best friends), Beverly (my mom), Jeff (my stepdad), Jen (my aunt), and Lisa (well, for now)

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Back in March 2021, the world had just hit the one year mark of the COVID pandemic. That was also the month that I decided I wasn’t going to wait for “someday” to see as much of the world as possible. I booked a cruise through Norway, to start. Fast-forward to July 2022 and I was deep into planning that impending trip. Because I’m one who likes to have multiple trips planned (so I have something to look forward to, rather than the post-trip blues), I was already chomping at the bit to get something else booked.

One of my coworkers and his family booked a cruise for the end of May 2023 and he was telling us all about it. The itinerary was a cruise through Italy and Greece. The ports he was mentioning were places I have legitimately had on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. Any time I have ever been asked where I would like to travel, Italy and Greece were tied for the top. One afternoon, he was on speakerphone with his wife and she (I get along really well with both of them) pipes up, “Jess, you are MORE than welcome to join us! We have a huge group going and you’ll fit right in.”

She sent me the info and I started looking into it. I’d never sailed with Norwegian before and the deal they were offering was really appealing. However, the dates weren’t exactly optimal for my workflow. Plus, I knew we would be having a couple of family things happening that month. One of my best friends was also really interested, but in the same boat. We found dates for September that worked for us and decided to book it. Within a week, my aunt and parents were having FOMO and also booked it. My friend and coworker, Lisa (who is also good friends with the other coworker going in May), decided to be my aunt’s roomie.

So, after everything was booked, I have the following conversation with Billy (coworker)….

Me – “We finally decided to book the cruise!”

Billy – “WHAT?! Who is going?”

Me – “Me, Emily, my parents, Jen, and Lisa.”

Billy – “Oh, that is awesome! I’m so excited!”

Me – “The only catch is that we’re going in September.”

Billy (completely crestfallen) – “This is absolute bulls**t! I’m done talking to you!”

LOL!

So, Billy and his crew were headed to Italy and Greece, while me and my crew were following suit three months later.

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Italy/Greece 2023 Trip Report (September 1 – 15, 2023)
– The Beginning (Vivi Alla Giornata!)
– The Planning Process (Rome)
– The Planning Process (Greece Ports)
– The Planning Process (Italy Ports)
– Flight Confusion
– Day 0: Leave for Rome (September 1, 2023)
– Day 1: Rome Arrival and City Tour (September 2, 2023)
– Day 2: Board the Breakaway (September 3, 2023)
– Day 3: Sea Day (September 4, 2023)
– Day 4: Santorini, Greece (September 5, 2023)
– Day 5: Athens (Piraeus), Greece (September 6, 2023)
– Day 6: Mykonos, Greece (September 7, 2023)
– Day 7: Olympia (Katakolon), Greece (September 8, 2023)
– Day 8: Valletta, Malta (September 9, 2023)
– Day 9: Messina (Sicily), Italy (September 10, 2023)
– Day 10: Naples, Italy (September 11, 2023)
– Day 11: Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy (September 12, 2023)
– Day 12: Disembark and Vatican City (September 13, 2023)
– Day 13: Rome (September 14, 2023)
– Day 14: Leaving Rome (September 15, 2023) and Some Final Thoughts

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