Jill and me aboard the MSC Seaview
The Mediterranean (May 9-25, 2024) The first time I traveled to Europe was with my wife, Debra. It was May 2016. We spent three days in Rome, where we saw all the major tourist attractions, and then boarded the Celebrity Equinox for a 12-night cruise with port stops in Turkey, Greece, and Italy. We had a great time throughout—so much so that we soon booked five days in Rome and a 12-night cruise on the Celebrity Silhouette for September 2017. On that trip, we visited Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, and Gibraltar.
Needless to say, I was hooked on Europe—its history, culture, and sights—and I have had the good fortune to travel there five times since: I cruised the British Isles and Rhine River with Debra, took a road trip around Ireland and cruised the Adriatic Sea with daughter Jill, and visited London and cruised to several Scandinavia countries with son David.
And then, last October, I received a text from Jill, who wrote, “Want to do an MSC cruise toward mid to late April?”
As I’ve shared in past travel stories, Jill is an award-winning freelance writer whose specialty is travel. She has journeyed the world, often accompanied by a guest, and many times these past five years I have been that guest—something I am extremely grateful for. And so, it was on this trip to the Mediterranean, which morphed into back-to-back one-week cruises in May 2024—the first on the MSC World Europa, the second on the MSC Seaview—with a couple of days in Barcelona.
We visited nine ports in four countries—Spain, France, Italy, and Malta—and all but two (Marseille and Palma de Mallorca) were new to me.
I was stoked when we finalized our plans—excited to see new places, experience a new cruise line, and embark on yet another travel adventure with Jill.
Needless to say, I was hooked on Europe—its history, culture, and sights—and I have had the good fortune to travel there five times since: I cruised the British Isles and Rhine River with Debra, took a road trip around Ireland and cruised the Adriatic Sea with daughter Jill, and visited London and cruised to several Scandinavia countries with son David.
And then, last October, I received a text from Jill, who wrote, “Want to do an MSC cruise toward mid to late April?”
As I’ve shared in past travel stories, Jill is an award-winning freelance writer whose specialty is travel. She has journeyed the world, often accompanied by a guest, and many times these past five years I have been that guest—something I am extremely grateful for. And so, it was on this trip to the Mediterranean, which morphed into back-to-back one-week cruises in May 2024—the first on the MSC World Europa, the second on the MSC Seaview—with a couple of days in Barcelona.
We visited nine ports in four countries—Spain, France, Italy, and Malta—and all but two (Marseille and Palma de Mallorca) were new to me.
I was stoked when we finalized our plans—excited to see new places, experience a new cruise line, and embark on yet another travel adventure with Jill.
I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.
~ Suan Sontag
~ Suan Sontag
“You’re two peas in a pod,” Debra once said to me.
And in many respects, we are, including our love of travel…or what Debra more aptly calls “an insatiable desire to roam the world,” AKA wanderlust.
Jill and I had a great time from start to finish. I look forward to sharing the best of my experiences and fondest memories with you!
And in many respects, we are, including our love of travel…or what Debra more aptly calls “an insatiable desire to roam the world,” AKA wanderlust.
Jill and I had a great time from start to finish. I look forward to sharing the best of my experiences and fondest memories with you!
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Operation Dragoon: The Allied Landing at Le Dramont
Magnificent Milan
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